With the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025™ approaching, Egyptian national team and Trabzonspor star Mahmoud Hassan “Trezeguet” expressed his great optimism about the future of Arab football, praising the pivotal role that the State of Qatar plays in enhancing the status of sports in the region on the global stage.
In his remarks, Trezeguet emphasized that the Arab Cup is a tournament of special significance and great value, considering Egypt's participation in this prestigious sporting event a great honor. He added: “The entire world witnessed Qatar's exceptional organizational capabilities during its hosting of the 2022 World Cup. It was a historic achievement not only for Qatar but for the entire Arab region. Today, all eyes are once again on Doha with the hosting of the Arab Cup, where Arab football will take center stage in the region on a global platform.”
Historical background and renewed importance of the tournament
The Arab Cup is one of the oldest regional competitions, with its first edition held in 1963, though it has experienced long periods of inactivity. Its return under the auspices of FIFA in the 2021 edition, also hosted by Qatar, marked a historic turning point, as the tournament became a successful rehearsal for the 2022 World Cup. Now, with the 2025 edition on the horizon, the tournament is firmly established as a major sporting event on the international calendar, providing Arab national teams with a valuable opportunity to gain experience and compete at the highest level.
Expected regional and international impact
The tournament's importance extends beyond the purely sporting aspect, encompassing cultural and economic dimensions. Regionally, it strengthens bonds of brotherhood and fair competition among Arab nations, while internationally, Qatar, through hosting the tournament, continues to build upon the positive legacy of the 2022 World Cup, solidifying its position as a global capital of sport. The tournament also serves to highlight Arab talent and provide them with an opportunity to showcase their abilities to scouts from international clubs.
Pride and honor in representing Egypt
Regarding his feelings about playing for the national team, Trezeguet, who has 86 international caps and 22 goals, said: “There’s no feeling like wearing the national team jersey amidst the cheers of millions of Egyptian fans. Playing for Egypt is a great responsibility and honor. I’m certain the players will give their all to make the fans happy at the Arab Cup Qatar 2025.” He praised Qatar’s infrastructure, saying: “Playing in Qatar is an exceptional experience for any player. Playing matches in stadiums that have hosted the World Cup finals adds value to the tournament and is a key factor in supporting the players’ performance.”
The Pharaohs' ambitions in a strong group
The draw for the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025™ placed the Egyptian national team in Group C alongside Jordan, the UAE, and Kuwait. The Pharaohs are aiming for a better result than their fourth-place finish in the 2021 edition. Egypt will kick off their campaign on December 2nd against Kuwait at Lusail Stadium, the same venue where Argentina won the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The tournament will be held from December 1st to 18th, featuring 16 teams competing for the title in six World Cup stadiums.
