The 2025 FIFA Arab Cup is set to deliver record-breaking financial rewards, with organisers confirming a total prize fund of $36.5 million—an increase that eclipses the sum awarded at the most recent Africa Cup of Nations by more than 72%.
The Union of Arab Football Associations (UAFA) has raised the stakes considerably for this 11th edition of the tournament.
According to Algerian media, the 16 teams that have qualified for the final phase will share a pool nearly $11 million greater than the amount awarded in the 2021 edition, which stood at $25.5 million.
By contrast, the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, hosted and won by Côte d’Ivoire, saw the Confederation of African Football (CAF) distribute $21.2 million among 24 participating teams.
That figure, while bolstered by a 40% increase ahead of the competition, remains significantly lower than what has been allocated for the Arab Cup finals.
The disparity is stark: the Arab Cup’s total prize pool is $15.3 million higher than that of the AFCON—an increase of 72.16%.
It marks a new era of financial incentives in regional tournaments, as the Arab Cup positions itself as one of the most lucrative events outside the FIFA World Cup and continental championships like the UEFA European Championship.
The stakes are particularly high for defending champions Algeria.
The North African nation, whose locally-based national team known as the “Greens A’” lifted the trophy in the previous edition, enters the 2025 tournament as one of the automatic qualifiers for the final phase in Qatar.
Should Algeria repeat its triumph, the financial windfall would represent a major boost.
🚨 JUST IN: The Local Organizing Committee for the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 has announced, that the tournament’s prize pool will exceed $36.5 million. 💰🏆 pic.twitter.com/gVFyuQzv0j
— Iraq Xtra (@IraqXtra) May 22, 2025
The competition will run from December 1 to 18, 2025, with qualifying matches scheduled for November 25 and 26.
The tournament draw is set to take place this Sunday in Doha, setting the stage for what promises to be one of the most anticipated editions of the Arab Cup to date.
With prize money reaching unprecedented levels and interest surging across the region, the 2025 Arab Cup is emerging not only as a showcase of footballing talent but also as a symbol of growing investment and prestige in Arab football.
