Arab Cup kicks off tonight with Qatar-Palestine. LOC reports 700k+ tickets sold

December 1 – FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 organisers have confirmed that more than 700,000 tickets have already been sold ahead of the tournament’s kick-off later today.

At a press briefing in Doha, senior figures from the Local Organising Committee (LOC), FIFA and Qatar’s governmental agencies delivered a unified message: the competition is on schedule, demand is strong across the region, and logistical plans are in place to accommodate supporters travelling for the event.

More than 210,000 of the 700,699 tickets sold have been purchased by fans from outside Qatar. Supporters from Qatar, Jordan and Saudi Arabia are driving sales for the group phase, with the LOC describing the trend as evidence of the “shared football identity” the tournament aims to showcase.

The media appetite is keeping pace. FIFA say that a total of 3,861 journalists, broadcasters and photographers have applied for accreditation, including more than 2,000 from outside Qatar. They also quote 15 regional and international broadcasters will operate from host-country studios in Doha, while “multiple additional networks” have secured match rights.

Transport remains one of Qatar’s key selling points. Organisers confirmed that Doha Metro travel will be free for ticket holders on matchdays, with all six tournament venues- Al Bayt, Lusail, Ahmad Bin Ali, Education City, Khalifa International and Stadium 974 – connected to the rail network.

The opening match on December 1 will see hosts Qatar face Palestine at Al Bayt Stadium, with gates opening at 2:30pm ahead of a 5:30pm ceremony. The final is set for December 18 at Lusail Stadium.

Beyond the pitch, the LOC continues to build the tournament’s cultural footprint. The official mascot, Juha, was unveiled earlier this month, alongside a two-track official soundtrack produced by Katara Studios. A daily fantasy game, launched in partnership with FIFA, will run throughout the competition via the FIFA app.

Tickets – starting at a very reasonable QAR 25 ($4.11) – remain available through the tournament portal, with ‘Follow My Team’ options also on sale. All tickets are digital, with accessible seating available on request.

Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing at moc.l1764593646labto1764593646ofdlr1764593646owedi1764593646sni@g1764593646niwe.1764593646yrrah1764593646