Qatar 2022: FIFA organises the "Arab Cup" in preparation for the World Cup, from 01 to 18/12/2021

"We are delighted that all 22 teams from across the Arab world have agreed to take part in the FIFA Arab Cup 2021, which will be held in FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 stadiums," said Gianni Infantino (ITA-SUI), president of FIFA, 11/24/2020.

The competition, which will serve as a dress rehearsal for the XXII World Cup, is scheduled from 01 to 18/12/2021: it will therefore end one year to the day before the final of the 2022 World Cup, 18/12 being National Day (commemorating Qatar's unification in 1878), a national holiday in Qatar.

"Through football, this tournament will unite over 450 million people from across the region, and we are confident that the FIFA Arab Cup will help to build excitement across the region as we edge ever nearer to hosting the first FIFA World Cup in the Middle East and Arab world in 2022," said Gianni Infantino.

The 22 participating teams:
• 12 belong to the AFC: Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
• 10 are members of CAF: Algeria, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Libya, Morocco…