FIFA has issued an urgent official statement regarding the fate of the third-place match in the 2025 Arab Cup, which was scheduled to be played between the Saudi and Emirati national teams in Qatar. This sudden decision was due to unforeseen circumstances beyond the control of the organizers and participating teams.
Details of FIFA's statement and reasons for the suspension
FIFA explained in its statement that the match was postponed indefinitely due to severe thunderstorms affecting the area surrounding the stadium. The international federation emphasized that the safety of fans, players, and technical and administrative staff is its top priority, which necessitated this immediate precautionary measure by the match referee and organizers.
Although the stadium's infrastructure proved highly efficient, with the field maintaining its full operational readiness and remaining in excellent condition thanks to the advanced drainage systems of Qatar's World Cup stadiums, the real danger lay in thunderstorms and lightning, which FIFA regulations prohibit playing in order to protect lives.
The importance of the Gulf derby and the context of the tournament
This match holds special significance as it brings together the two giants of Gulf football, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, in a rivalry that is always fiercely contested and draws large crowds. The 2025 Arab Cup in Qatar builds upon the great success of previous editions, establishing itself as a vital platform for the development of Arab football and for national teams to compete against each other under the auspices of FIFA.
The Arab fans were eagerly awaiting this match to determine the bronze medalist, especially since both teams had delivered remarkable performances throughout the tournament, making reaching this stage an achievement that reflects the development of football in both countries.
The procedures to follow and the expected decision
FIFA concluded its statement by noting that the determination of the third-place winner, and the associated prize money and FIFA ranking points, will be decided later by the relevant FIFA committee. The committee is expected to consider all available options, including rescheduling the match if circumstances permit, or resorting to the tournament regulations regarding force majeure situations to determine the third-place finish, or deciding it based on other technical criteria.
