- Qatar announced that it is fully prepared to secure the FIFA Arab Cup 2025
- Interior Minister and Commander of the Internal Security Forces said he had ‘great confidence’
- Securing events such as the Arab Cup is critical
Qatar announced that it is fully prepared to secure the FIFA Arab Cup 2025, the Arab world’s biggest football tournament, which kicked off on Monday, 1 December, and runs until 18 December.
In a post on X, Interior Minister and Commander of the Internal Security Forces ‘Lekhwiya’, Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, said he had ‘great confidence’ in the security forces, adding: “Qatar’s experience in hosting major tournaments has become, thanks to God and then to the guidance of His Highness the Amir, a model to be emulated.
Ensuring safety at a tournament of this scale involves complex planning across multiple layers of security.
Measures include stadium access control, crowd management, emergency response coordination, cyber and communications security, and protection against potential threats such as terrorism or large-scale public disturbances.
Securing events such as the Arab Cup is critical not only for the safety of players, officials, and fans, but also for preserving the host nation’s reputation and demonstrating organisational capability on the international stage.
Qatar’s decades of experience in hosting major tournaments, including the 2022 FIFA World Cup, however, have worked towards strengthening its security infrastructure and protocols.
The local organising committee confirmed that all preparations are complete. CEO Jassim Abdul Aziz Al Jassim said ticket sales exceeded 700,000.
Qatar is hosting the Arab Cup for the third time, following the 1998 and 2021 editions, and has also been awarded the 2029 and 2033 tournaments. Sixteen Arab teams are competing, with the opening match between Syria and Tunisia at Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium and the final set for Lusail Stadium.
Tournament Schedule:
1–9 December: Group stage
11–12 December: Quarterfinals
15 December: Semifinals
18 December: Third-place play-off and final
Key Matches:
Opening Ceremony: Al Bayt Stadium
Qatar vs Palestine (Group A): Al Bayt Stadium
