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The FIFA Arab Cup 2021 is around the corner, set to roll out with the 10th edition this November.
For all the football fans around the world, here’s what to expect at the upcoming FIFA Arab Cup 2021.
What is the FIFA Arab Cup 2021?
The 2021 FIFA Arab Cup is a qualifying play-off competition that is currently being held in Qatar. The new tournament, launched by FIFA, will see 23 of the region’s best teams battle it out in Qatar to become champions of the Arab states.
The Arab Cup in 2021 will also pave the way for the growing excitement leading to the World Cup, which will be just one year away when the 2021 event is staged. The tournament, which brings together the best teams from the Arab world, will also see the inauguration of two FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 stadiums, Al Bayt and Ras Abu Aboud.
When is the FIFA Arab Cup 2021?
The FIFA Arab Cup 2021 is scheduled between Tuesday, 30 November and Saturday, 18 December 2021. The Arab Nations Cup finals will be held on Qatar’s national day, the 18th of December.
FIFA Arab Cup 2021 stadiums
The Venue of FIFA Arab Cup 2021 is divided into six stadiums as mentioned below:
Al Khor
Al Bayt Stadium – Capacity: 60,000
Al Wakrah
Al Janoub Stadium – Capacity: 40,000
Doha
Ras Abu Aboud Stadium – Capacity: 40,000
Al Thumama Stadium – Capacity: 40,000
Al Rayyan
Khalifa International Stadium – Capacity: 45,416
Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium – Capacity: 44,740
FIFA Arab Cup 2021 schedules and groups
The match schedules for the FIFA Arab Cup 2021 will be available here.
Twenty-three national teams were invited to participate, with seven out of 14 advancing from the round of qualifying matches to meet hosts Qatar and the eight highest-ranked nations, who qualified directly. The 16 teams will now compete in a group stage followed by knockout rounds, making for a total of 32 games played over 19 days.
The 23 nations participating in the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup are Qatar (host nation), Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
Group A: Qatar, Iraq, Winner of Oman v Somalia and Winner of Bahrain v Kuwait.
Group B: Tunisia, UAE, Syria and Winner of Mauritania v Yemen.
Group C: Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Winner of Jordan v South Sudan and Winner of Palestine v Comoros.
Group D: Algeria, Egypt, Winner of Lebanon v Djibouti and Winner of Libya v Sudan.
How to buy the match tickets?
Tickets for the matches are available from the Qatar Football Association website.
Starting 28 September, fans will be able to secure tickets for the FIFA Arab Cup 2021. Please take note that tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Fans can attend more than one game per day during group stage.
A selection of affordable tickets will be available, with prices ranging from QAR 25 for a category 4 ticket (Qatar residents only) for the group matches to QAR 245 for a category 1 ticket for the final.
Fan-ID
Fan-ID is a smart-technology identification card mandatory for all ticket holders that attend the FIFA Arab Cup 2021 matches in Qatar. It will serve as a means of identification and provide access to tournament stadiums as well as a number of services and benefits relating to transportation, tourism and others.
Fans planning to attend the FIFA Arab Cup 2021 should apply for their Fan ID once they have paid for their match tickets and have received their ticket application number by email.
FIFA Arab Cup COVID-19 measures
Spectators in attendance must be able to provide proof that they
- are fully vaccinated with one of the vaccines approved by the Ministry of Public Health or
- have recovered from COVID-19 in the last nine months.
Spectators under the age of 12 must take a rapid COVID-19 test at an approved health centre, within 24 hours prior to kick-off. Proof of a negative test result must be presented at the stadium gate on the day
Attendees must follow the travel advice from the Qatari authorities and Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health and limited numbers of fans will be permitted to enter the stadiums for the event.