Collection Highlight: An Arab Cup, A Moroccan Gold

The 11th edition of the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025™ was successfully held for the third time in Qatar.

From 1–18 December 2025, thousands of football fans descended into Doha for one of the most vibrant sports events of the 2025–2026 winter season thus far.

The tournament was hosted in six stadiums, all of which were used for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. In a dramatic final, with the winning goal scored in extra time, Morocco clinched the trophy, defeating Jordan 3–2. It was the second Arab Cup for Morocco after their first win in 2012.

Following the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum (QOSM) mission and according to its collection strategy, the QOSM team acquires objects and characteristic merchandise from as many sports events as possible—especially those hosted in Qatar’s cutting-edge sports facilities.

The merchandise ball of the 2025 FIFA Arab Cup (seen above) features the logo of the tournament and the colourful elements of the visual identity of the championship, which were originally used in the graphic design of the 2021 Arab Cup that also took place in Qatar.

The 2021 edition was the first time the tournament had been organised by FIFA, which resulted in modernising the tournament’s structure and raising its international profile, introducing it to the global football calendar.

The official draw for the 2021 programme was conducted at the Katara Opera House in Doha on 27 April 2021. The draw ball for Qatar’s national team was procured onsite by the Director of QOSM, Abdulla Yousuf Al Mulla, and is now part of the museum’s collection (see below).

Sixteen Arab nations took part, with Algeria and Tunisia reaching the final, and the former claiming the title with a 2–0 victory. The 2021 competition became one of the most successful editions of the Arab Cup, both technically and organisationally.

The Arab Cup boasts a long history going back to the 1960s. Established in Lebanon in 1963, with the goal of fostering unity and strengthening cultural and sporting ties among Arab nations, the championship faced many difficulties which affected frequency and consistency. Political instability threatened its success, but participating nations persevered.

In 1998, the Arab Cup was hosted in Qatar for the first time, with Saudi Arabia claiming its first-ever title after defeating the hosts 3–1. It was one of the most influential competitions in the history of the tournament, with the appearance of several young talents who later became key players for their national teams and clubs.

The 2025 edition was equally significant, as it was the first Arab Cup tournament to surpass one million spectators, setting the bar high for Qatar, and other future hosts.

Qatar is set to host the championship again in 2029 and 2033.

Plan your visit today to see these and other objects from Qatar's sporting legacy at QOSM’s Qatar – Hosting Nation gallery.

Courtesy of the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum Curatorial Team.