The 11th edition of the FIFA Arab Cup 2025 exploded into life in Qatar yesterday, delivering two stunning upsets right from the Group A curtain-raisers.
In a day defined by passion, resilience, and tactical surprises, both Syria and Palestine secured dramatic 1-0 victories over highly-fancied opponents, immediately setting a tone of unpredictability for the regional showpiece.
The FIFA Arab Cup returns to the familiar, world-class stadiums of Qatar, promising 18 days of intense regional rivalry, cultural pride, and high-stakes football. From December 1 to December 18, 16 national teams from the AFC (Asia) and CAF (Africa) confederations will battle across six venues used during the 2022 World Cup.
The tournament format sees four groups of four teams competing in a single round-robin, with the top two in each group advancing to the knockout stage—a phase that begins with the quarter-finals and culminates in the final at the iconic Lusail Stadium. With defending champions Algeria and hosts Qatar among the title contenders, the 2025 edition serves as a critical proving ground for several sides with eyes on future international glory. However, the first day of action in Group A proved that in the Arab Cup, pedigree counts for little when passion and organisation align.
| Team | Score | Goalscorer(s) |
| Tunisia | 0 | - |
| Syria | 1 | Omar Kharbin (48') |
The tournament officially opened at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium with a clash of Group A heavyweights, pitting 2021 runners-up Tunisia against a determined Syrian side, recently reinforced by an excellent qualification campaign. In front of a large, vocal crowd dominated by the Tunisian 'Eagles of Carthage' faithful, the expectation was for a measured but ultimately winning start for the North Africans.
The first half was a cagey affair, with both teams struggling to break down well-drilled defences. Tunisia’s star-studded midfield attempted to dictate the tempo, but Syria’s disciplined shape frustrated their efforts, with most of Tunisia’s chances coming from half-open opportunities that were either off-target or easily saved.
The turning point arrived just three minutes after the restart. Syria earned a free-kick just outside the box, and Omar Kharbin, the former Asian Player of the Year, stepped up. With a moment of pure brilliance, Kharbin curled a magnificent free-kick over the wall and past the outstretched hands of the Tunisian goalkeeper, sending the Syrian bench and small contingent of fans into raptures.
Stunned, Tunisia pressed desperately for an equalizer, introducing attacking substitutes and throwing bodies forward. They came close late on, with striker Seifeddine Jaziri being denied twice by a series of heroic saves from Syrian goalkeeper Shaher Al Shaker. Despite all the late pressure, the Syrian defence held firm, weathering the storm to secure a momentous 1-0 victory—a result that immediately blows Group A wide open and stamps Syria as a serious contender.
| Team | Score | Goalscorer(s) |
| Qatar | 0 | - |
| Palestine | 1 | Sultan Al Brake (O.G. 90+5') |
The main event of the opening day saw hosts and Asian Cup champions Qatar take on a passionate Palestine side at the magnificent Al Bayt Stadium, following a dazzling opening ceremony. The atmosphere was electric, with the capacity crowd fully expecting a winning start from their team.
Qatar, led by the creative brilliance of Akram Afif, dominated possession from the first whistle, constantly probing the Palestinian defence. Despite the territorial advantage and several promising attacks, Qatar found themselves neutralized by a rock-solid, disciplined, and tactically intelligent Palestinian rearguard. Goalkeeper Rami Hamada delivered an inspired performance, marshalling his defence and making crucial interventions to keep the scores level.
As the match entered its closing moments, Palestine began to look more dangerous on the counter, with substitutes Oday Dabbagh and Ahmad Alqaq injecting pace and directness. Just when a goalless draw seemed certain, the most dramatic moment of the day unfolded deep into stoppage time.
In the 95th minute, a dangerous cross from Palestine's Ahmad Alqaq was headed on by Mohammed Saleh. Under extreme pressure, Qatari defender Sultan Al Brake inadvertently diverted the ball into his own net. The Al Bayt Stadium fell silent, instantly transformed from a celebration into a scene of utter shock. The 1-0 victory for Palestine is a monumental win, giving them a historic three points and delivering a massive psychological boost for a team driven by resilience and national pride.
The results leave both Syria and Palestine top of Group A with 3 points each, while pre-tournament favourites Tunisia and hosts Qatar are left reeling and searching for their first points on Matchday 2.