Doha, November 29 (QNA) - The Local Organizing Committee for FIFA Arab Cup 2025 in Qatar unveiled the latest organizational updates ahead of the 11th edition, which is set to kick off Monday with the official opener between the host nation and Palestine at Al Bayt Stadium, preceded by the first match between Tunisia and Syria at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, as part of Group A matches.

At a press conference held at the Qatar National Convention Centre, the committee, headed by Chief Executive of the Local Organizing Committee, Jassim Abdulaziz Al Jassim, affirmed that the tournament is primed for a massive turnout after 700,699 tickets were sold, while the number of tickets purchased by fans from outside the State of Qatar reached 210,209.

Fans from Qatar, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia topped ticket sales for the group-stage matches. The Committee also announced that the final batch of tickets will be released today.

The Committee emphasized the extensive media attention surrounding the tournament, noting that 3,861 applications were submitted for media accreditation, including 2,085 requests from outside Qatar.

A total of 15 Arab and international TV channels will utilize the broadcasting studios provided by the Local Organizing Committee in Doha, while several networks have secured the rights to transmit the matches.

The Committee further clarified that the gates of Al Bayt Stadium, which will host the opening match between Qatar and Palestine on Monday, will open at 2:30 p.m., with the opening ceremony scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

Tournament curators announced that Doha Metro services will be free of charge for all ticket holders on match days, in a move designed to streamline the procedure for fans and enhance their overall experience.

With Qatar's unique close-proximity infrastructure, spectators can easily access all six host stadiums through a modern network of public transport options, including the Doha Metro, tram services, and buses, ensuring smooth movement across the tournament's entire perimeter.

The real launch of this tournament will be in this current edition, outlined Al Jassim, indicating that the past edition was a trial preceding the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

He stressed the significant emphasis placed on elevating the fan experience through a bountiful lineup of accompanying events and cultural and entertainment activities held both inside the stadiums and across the tournament's wider perimeter.

Executive Director of Communications and Media at the Local Organizing Committee for Football Events, Fatma Al Nuaimi, said the new edition is one of the most consequential football events in the region, garnering tremendous attention from Arab fans.

There is anticipation that this current edition will be as colossally successful as the previous edition, as media corps are massively coping with the event,” Al Nuaimi noted. She affirmed that television channels will be deployed to the Katara Cultural Village to stream from Doha and cover the tournament.

For his part, Head of Youth Tournaments at FIFA, Roberto Grassi, said the tournament is extremely consequential and a chance to corral fans from across the Arab region.

FIFA is closely engaging with the Local Organizing Committee and Qatar Football Association (QFA) to organize the best possible edition and is striving to showcase novel innovations and activities that help upgrade the tournament level as Qatar hosts this event for the second time in a row, Grassi highlighted.

Grassi noted that, according to the proposal submitted by Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, Pierluigi Collina, a new experimental measure will be implemented whereby an injured player will be required to leave the pitch for two minutes, during which his team will compete with 10 players.

He stressed that all participating national teams will be provided with full operational details, describing the tournament as a prime opportunity to test innovative mechanisms that aim to elevate the game and streamline match flow.

Hayya Platform CEO Saeed Ali Al Kuwari affirmed that preparations are smoothly afoot to welcome visitors through the Hayya system, which has proven to be a pivotal platform capable of processing millions of applications with seamless precision, further boosting the overall fan experience, especially with Qatar's compact geography and integrated transport network.

The platform continues to build on this legacy and encourages visitors to select Qatar as the hub of major events, with the platform announcing today a bundle of new facilities in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior for the GCC Residents Entry Category, including the extension of the entry permit validity from one month to two months, Al Kuwari noted.

He elaborated that these measures come within Qatar Tourism's integrated vision, aimed at multiplying visitor numbers and cementing Qatar's standing as a leading tourism hub.

Spokesperson of the Security Committee, Dr. Jabr Al Naimi, underscored the State of Qatar's commitment to showcasing an extraordinary and secure experience for all fans, affirming that there are meticulously learned plans concerning Abu Samra Border Crossing, where fans will be facilitated through a dedicated fan pavilion and the pre‑registration service via the Hayya platform.

Dedicated vehicle lanes will be provided for all visitors and match ticket holders, ensuring a seamless fan journey, with authorities and functionaries placed on full alert to welcome tournament supporters and enhance the overall spectator experience, he underlined.

The tournament finals will take place at Lusail Stadium on 18 December, with other matches hosted at Al Bayt Stadium, Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Education City Stadium, Khalifa International Stadium, and Stadium 974. Fans will enjoy a curated lineup of cultural and entertainment activations across fan zones at all venues.

The Organizing Committee also unveiled the tournament's official mascot, Juha, celebrating a beloved figure in Arab literary and folkloric heritage. (QNA)