FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirms 22 nations will take part in FIFA Arab Cup 2021 in Qatar

Published on: 24 November 2020

Qatar will unite millions of football fans from across the Middle East and Arab world when it hosts the FIFA Arab Cup 2021 next December.

During a visit to Lusail Stadium on Tuesday, FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed that the national first teams from all 22 Arab nations have signed up to take part in the tournament, which will be held from 1-18 December 2021 in the majority of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 stadiums, with a total of 32 matches being held over 18 days.

Nations from the Asian Football Confederation to compete in the tournament are: Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

Algeria, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Somalia, Sudan and Tunisia will be representing the Confederation of African Football at the inaugural tournament.

The tournament will be delivered by FIFA, Qatar Football Association, the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy and the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC.

This is seen as a vital opportunity to test operations facilities and stadiums ahead of the FIFA World Cup in 2022, the tournament is scheduled to take place in the same timeslot as the World Cup.

The finals of both the FIFA Arab Cup and FIFA World Cup will take place exactly one year apart – each on 18 December, Qatar National Day, which is a public holiday.

FIFA President Infantino says the tournament will unite the region and help Qatar continue preparations for the FIFA World Cup.

"We are delighted that all 22 teams from across the Arab world have agreed to take part in the FIFA Arab Cup 2021, and we are looking forward to seeing the region’s best teams battle it out to see which nation will become champion," Infantino said.

Through football, this tournament will unite over 450 million people from across the region, and we are confident the FIFA Arab Cup will help to build excitement across the region as we edge ever nearer to hosting the first FIFA World Cup in the Middle East and Arab world in 2022." Infantino added.

Qatar FA President, H.E. Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Bin Ahmed Al Thani, also said:

"Qatar looks forward to welcoming 22 Arab national teams and their fans, and giving them the opportunity to be one of the select teams that will experience what Qatar has prepared to host the FIFA World Cup."

"The tournament will give our national team the chance to enhance their preparations ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, by going up against some of the best teams in the region." His Excellency added.

"Fans from across the region will be treated to the same world-class experience that awaits fans from around the world when they flock to Qatar for the FIFA World Cup in 2022.

"We welcome our friends from the Middle East and the Arab world to join us in what will be an important milestone and a final test of our preparations, only one year away from us hosting the first FIFA World Cup in the region," the Qatar FA President concluded.

Find some photos here.

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