Algeria will discover their group-stage opponents for the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 on Sunday, 25 May, as the draw takes place in Doha ahead of the tournament’s return later this year.
The Local Organising Committee (LOC) confirmed on Friday that the draw will be staged at the Raffles Hotel in the Qatari capital.
Algeria, the reigning champions after their 2-0 victory over Tunisia in the 2021 final, have been placed in Pot A alongside hosts Qatar, Egypt, and Morocco.
As the competition draws nearer, the LOC also released details of a preliminary qualification round, which will determine the final seven teams that will join the main event set to run from 1 to 18 December.
Fourteen countries will compete in single-leg knockout ties scheduled for 25 and 26 November in Qatar.
The preliminary fixtures will pit teams from the African and Asian confederations against each other as follows:
- Oman vs Somalia
- Bahrain vs Djibouti
- Syria vs South Sudan
- Palestine vs Libya
- Lebanon vs Sudan
- Kuwait vs Mauritania
- Yemen vs Comoros
The winners of these matches will secure places in the final tournament, completing the 16-team field.
According to the draw structure, the pots are divided based on the latest FIFA rankings and strategic placements.
Pot A contains Algeria, Qatar, Egypt, and Morocco. Pot B features Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Jordan.
Pot C includes the United Arab Emirates and the winners of Matches 1 to 3. Pot D consists of the victors from Matches 4 to 7.
The tournament’s format will see group compositions drawn from these pots, with Algeria guaranteed to avoid other Pot A teams in the initial stage.
However, they could face any of the emerging sides from the preliminary round, adding an element of unpredictability to their path.
In addition to the Arab Cup draw, FIFA will also conduct the draw for the upcoming FIFA U-17 World Cup on the same day.
As anticipation builds across the region, fans are expected to turn their attention to Doha, where the official ceremony will mark a key milestone on the road to the second edition of the FIFA Arab Cup.
With excitement building and the competition drawing nearer, Algeria will soon begin preparations to defend their title against the best of Arab football.
