MUSCAT, NOV 29
Stand-in goalkeeper Ibrahim al Rajhi handed Oman’s senior national football team a precious ticket to the group stage of the 11th edition of Arab Cup Qatar 2025, after guiding the Red Warriors to a 4–1 penalty shootout victory over Somalia on Friday.
Al Rajhi, who replaced goalkeeper Ibrahim al Mukhaini shortly before the shootout, emerged as the hero of the night after saving two penalties taken by Zakaria Hassan and Ali Moosa, securing Oman’s progression to the next round.
Oman now heads into the final tournament, scheduled to kick off in Doha on Monday and continue until December 18, with high ambitions as they look to make a strong impression in their second-ever appearance in the competition.
The team’s opening fixture will be a high-profile Gulf encounter against Saudi Arabia, a matchup that historically carries its own competitive flavour. Oman also rely on the momentum gained from their last meeting with Saudi Arabia during the Gulf Cup in Kuwait.
The group also includes Morocco and Comoros, adding to the significance of Oman’s opening match as they set the tone for their journey in Group B.
Following their qualification win, Oman national team resumed their daily training sessions in Doha with morning and evening drills in preparation for the group stage.
This year’s edition marks the second consecutive Arab Cup to be organised by Fifa, following the landmark 2021 tournament in Doha, which was officially recognised for the first time in the competition’s history since its inception in 1963.
The success of the 2021 edition prompted Fifa to extend its support for the next three tournaments, 2025, 2029 and 2033, on the condition that they continue to be hosted in Doha to ensure organisational excellence.
MAJOR REGULATION CHANGES
The 11th edition introduces significant regulatory changes aimed at elevating the tournament’s competitive value.
For the first time, Arab Cup matches will be classified as official international fixtures, with results contributing to the Fifa Rankings using the same points system applied to international friendlies.
A second notable modification concerns tie-breaker rules in the group stage. Instead of using overall goal difference as the initial criterion, priority will now be given to head-to-head goal difference among tied teams — a shift that has not been implemented by Fifa in any of its global competitions. If still tied, rankings will be decided by:
1- Head-to-head goals scored
2- Overall group goal difference
3- Overall goals scored
4- Fair play points
5- Latest Fifa Ranking
Should teams remain level, Fifa has removed the traditional drawing of lots, replacing it with the latest Fifa Ranking, with the higher-ranked team advancing.
Fifa Referees Committee Chairman Pierluigi Collina announced a new regulation for this year’s tournament: any player who requires medical attention on the pitch and is treated by the medical team must remain off the field for two minutes, leaving his team temporarily with 10 players. The rule excludes goalkeepers and cases where the injury was caused by a foul that resulted in a booking for the opponent.
The tournament has also seen a significant increase in financial rewards, with the total prize fund rising to $36.5 million, underscoring the growing importance of the Arab Cup on the regional football calendar.
WORLD CUP STADIUMS SET FOR LICK-OFF
Six Fifa World Cup-standard venues will host the Arab Cup 2025 fixtures. The opening match between Qatar and Palestine will take place at Al Bayt Stadium, while the final will be held at Lusail Stadium. The 32 matches of the tournament will be played across Al Bayt, Lusail, Khalifa International, Ahmad Bin Ali, Stadium 974 and Education City Stadium.
Ticket demand has been strong, with nearly 500,000 tickets already sold, reflecting the tremendous excitement surrounding the event. Fans attending the tournament will enjoy a variety of cultural and entertainment activities across Qatar, supported by a modern public transport network that ensures smooth access to all match venues.
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