FIFA Arab Cup 2025: Qatar vs Tunisia – Group Stage Showdown for Qualification
In a pivotal group stage match of the FIFA Arab Cup 2025, hosts Qatar will face Tunisia. Both teams are currently at the bottom of Group A with one point each, making this a decisive do-or-die encounter where only a victory can keep their knockout stage hopes alive.
Match Background & Qualification Scenarios
The FIFA Arab Cup 2025 group stage will feature a highly anticipated clash between hosts Qatar and Tunisia at Al Bayt Stadium. This is a crucial Group A fixture, with both teams having accumulated just one point from their opening two matches, placing them third and fourth respectively in the group standings. Qatar began their campaign with a 0-1 loss to Palestine, followed by a 1-1 draw against Syria. Tunisia, on the other hand, suffered a 0-1 defeat to Syria and then let a two-goal lead slip to draw 2-2 with Palestine. This context sets up a must-win scenario for both sides, as a draw would see both teams eliminated from the tournament. The winning team will still have a chance to progress, depending on the outcome of the concurrent Syria vs Palestine match.
Recent Form
Qatar's recent form has been mixed. In the current Arab Cup, they suffered a 0-1 defeat to Palestine and then drew 1-1 with Syria. Prior to the tournament, in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Qatar secured their World Cup spot with a 2-1 victory over the United Arab Emirates, followed by a 0-0 draw against Oman, but experienced a 0-3 loss to Uzbekistan.
Tunisia has also had a challenging start in the Arab Cup, losing 0-1 to Syria in their opening match and drawing 2-2 with Palestine. However, their form in international friendlies leading up to the tournament was more resilient, including a 1-1 draw against a strong Brazil side on November 18, 2025, a 3-2 victory over Jordan on November 14, and a 1-1 draw with Mauritania on November 12. Notably, Tunisia made history by qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup without conceding a single goal.
Key Players & Injury News
Key players for Qatar will undoubtedly include attacking linchpin Akram Afif, a crucial offensive threat, and forward Almoez Ali. Captain Hassan Al-Haydos provides experienced leadership to the squad. The team is managed by Julen Lopetegui.
For Tunisia, midfielder Youssef Msakni is considered the team's star player and a vital figure, having a prominent record for national team appearances and goals. Captain Ferjani Sassi is another important presence in the midfield. The head coach is Sami Trabelsi. Given the future date of the match, there are no specific reports of significant new injuries for either team.