FIFA Arab Cup: Schedule and Details Revealed

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As the FIFA Arab Cup approaches, soccer fans can look forward to an engaging tournament. This prestigious competition is set to kick off on December 1 and will run until December 18.

FIFA Arab Cup: Schedule and Details Revealed

This edition marks a significant revival of the Arab Cup, which first occurred in 1963. The tournament, originally organized by the Union of Arab Football Associations (UAFA), was hosted in Lebanon, with Tunisia emerging as the first champion.

Historical Background

The Arab Cup has experienced periods of activity and dormancy. Following its initial years in the 1960s, the competition was not held again until 1985. From 1985 to 2012, it took place five additional times. After a long hiatus, the format was revamped in 2021, culminating in Algeria defeating Tunisia for the title in Qatar.

2023 Tournament Details

Qatar will host the second edition of the revived Arab Cup, using six stadiums from the 2022 FIFA World Cup, including the Lusail Stadium, which will be the final venue.

Start Date: December 1, 2023
Final Date: December 18, 2023

Participating Teams

A total of 16 teams will compete in this year’s tournament. The following teams have already qualified:

Qatar (hosts)
Algeria (defending champions)
Egypt
Iraq
Jordan
Morocco
Saudi Arabia
Tunisia
United Arab Emirates

Additionally, teams will vie for the remaining spots through single-leg qualification matches scheduled for November:

Oman vs. Somalia
Bahrain vs. Djibouti
Syria vs. South Sudan
Palestine vs. Libya
Lebanon vs. Sudan
Kuwait vs. Mauritania
Yemen vs. Comoros

FIFA Arab Cup Draw

The group stage draw took place in Doha in May 2023. It resulted in four groups of four teams each:

Group	Teams
Group A	Qatar, Tunisia, Syria/South Sudan, Palestine/Libya
Group B	Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Oman/Somalia, Yemen/Comoros
Group C	Egypt, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait/Mauritania
Group D	Algeria, Iraq, Bahrain/Djibouti, Lebanon/Sudan