FIFA approves regulations for FIFA Arab Cup 2021

CAIRO-20 March 2021: FIFA announced on Friday that FIFA Council approved the competition regulations for the FIFA Arab Cup 2021.

The new competition is set to be held in Qatar between 1 and 18 December, as a prelude to the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

“The Council approved the competition regulations for the FIFA Arab Cup 2021, confirming the match schedule and draw procedure for the competition taking place in Qatar from 1 to 18 December this year.” FIFA statement said.

The 22 Arab football federations approved their participation in the competition. The top 10 teams in FIFA rankings will directly qualify to the group stage while the 12 remaining teams will compete for six spots in the group stage.

The 16 nations will be distributed on 4 groups with the top teams reaching the knockout stage.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino earlier said “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, and we are looking forward to seeing the region’s best teams battle it out to see which nation will become champion.”