The Arab Cup is fast emerging as a major rival to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in both prestige and financial reward, following the revelation of a record-breaking $36.5 million prize pool for its next edition, AfricaSoccer.com can reveal.
Organisers in Qatar have confirmed the staggering figure ahead of the tournament scheduled for December 1–18, raising eyebrows across Africa’s football fraternity.
The revelation by Qatar’s Minister of Sports, Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, of the prize money for the December tournament will significantly surpass the rewards offered at Africa’s flagship competition.
It is a move that not only showcases Qatar’s financial muscle but also signals an evolving competitive landscape in international regional football.
The prize money is more than five times what was awarded at the most recent AFCON, where the 2023 champions took home $7 million—a figure that itself was a 40% increase on previous editions.
While the AFCON remains the crown jewel of African football, the Arab Cup’s rapidly growing financial appeal is reshaping how African nations that qualify for both competitions weigh their priorities.
Several African countries, including Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Mauritania, Sudan, and Comoros, participate in the Arab Cup due to their cultural and linguistic ties to the Arab world.
With the Arab Cup now offering prize money nearly seven times higher than that of AFCON, concerns are emerging that these African nations may begin to prioritise the Arab Cup for financial reasons.
This shift could weaken the competitiveness and commercial strength of AFCON if players, sponsors, and federations increasingly see more value in the Arab tournament.
Qatar’s Minister of Sports, Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who chairs the Arab Cup’s organising committee, stated that the move reflects the Gulf nation’s commitment to football and to building on the legacy of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The tournament will feature 16 Arab nations and is being held under the official umbrella of FIFA, adding further legitimacy and international visibility.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has yet to announce the prize structure for the 2025 edition of AFCON, but the pressure is mounting. African fans, football associations, and players are now calling for a significant increase to maintain AFCON’s relevance in the face of escalating competition.
The Arab Cup final draw, scheduled to take place this weekend in Doha alongside that of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, is likely to reinforce the growing momentum of the tournament. For African nations eligible to play in both, a major question is now on the table: prestige or prize money?
As financial incentives reshape global football, the balance of loyalty for some African nations may begin to tip—unless CAF rises to the challenge.
