When and what is the FIFA Arab Cup?

"The FIFA Arab Cup Trophy (Image credit: Getty Images) With an expanded World Cup on the horizon at the end of the season, the Africa Cup of Nations on the way in December and last summer's revamped Club World Cup in the rearview mirror, it's perhaps easy to lose track of FIFA's ever-growing slate of tournaments. So with that in mind, we'll let you off if the FIFA Arab Cup has perhaps slipped off your radar when it comes to planning your football-watching schedule for the next few months."

"The inaugural edition of the Arab Cup was organised by the Union of Arab Football Associations (UAFA) and played in Lebanon in 1963, with Tunisia lifting the trophy. Two more editions followed in 1964 and 1966 before the competition was shelved until 1985, when it was played five more times until 2012. In 2021, FIFA brought the competition back, with Algeria defeating Tunisia in the final, which was played in Qatar, a year before the nation hosted the World Cup final."

"The Lusail Stadium in Qatar will host December's final (Image credit: Getty) Qatar will again be the host for what FIFA describe as the second edition of the competition, which kicks off on December 1, with the final taking place on December 18. The tournament is played in six stadiums that hosted the 2022 World Cup, including the Lusail Stadium which will be the venue for the final. The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week."

The Arab Cup began in 1963 in Lebanon and was organised by the Union of Arab Football Associations, with Tunisia winning the inaugural edition. Two further editions in 1964 and 1966 preceded a long hiatus until 1985, after which the competition ran intermittently until 2012. FIFA revived the tournament in 2021, when Algeria defeated Tunisia in the final held in Qatar. The next edition runs from December 1 to December 18 in Qatar across six stadiums used in the 2022 World Cup, with Lusail hosting the final. The competition features 16 teams from AFC and CAF; hosts Qatar and holders Algeria qualify automatically, alongside the seven highest-ranked nations at the time of the draw.

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