Qatar’s Minister of Sports and Youth, HE Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, who also serves as the Chairman of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup Local Organizing Committee, recently announced the forthcoming return of the FIFA Arab Cup. This event, held as a test for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, is set to be organized in collaboration with FIFA and the Union of Arab Football Associations (UAFA).

Anticipated Return: HE Sheikh Hamad expressed optimism about the revival of the FIFA Arab Cup, stating, “The tournament will be held next year, God willing, after completing some arrangements. The date, location, and hosting mechanism will be announced in the future. While I’m not the person authorized to talk about this tournament, it’ll be held again.”

Reflecting on Past Success: The inaugural edition of the FIFA Arab Cup took place in Qatar in 2021, serving as a prelude to the FIFA World Cup. Sheikh Hamad highlighted the outstanding success of the event, expressing the collective aspiration to recreate such success in future editions. He stated, "Everyone aspires to see another Arab Cup like the one we saw in 2021 in Qatar, and any place where it’ll be held, it’ll be successful, God willing."

Success of the AFC Asian Cup: Sheikh Hamad also praised the ongoing AFC Asian Cup, acknowledging the exceptional turnout and ticket sales that exceeded expectations. He emphasized the significant contribution of various communities, particularly Arabs, to the success of the 24-team tournament.

Ticket Sales and Community Support: Highlighting the enthusiasm surrounding the event, Sheikh Hamad noted that tickets for Qatari and Palestinian matches were sold out even before the tournament commenced. He attributed the increased quality of the tournament to the diverse contributions from participating teams, commending the impressive performance of nations like Jordan and Iraq, both of which have secured spots in the knockout rounds.

As the AFC Asian Cup unfolds with resounding success, the anticipation for the return of the FIFA Arab Cup builds excitement among football enthusiasts. Qatar's commitment to hosting world-class football events continues to elevate the standard of the sport in the region, promising an even brighter future for football fans worldwide.