FIFA announces the host country for the next three editions of the Arab Cup

The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) Council announced its approval for Qatar to host the “FIFA Arab Cup” tournament for three consecutive editions in the years 2025, 2029 and 2033, based on a request from the Qatar Football Association, and as a competition held on the basis of invitation, and it will not be included in the schedule of international matches.

This came on the sidelines of the 74th session of the FIFA Conference in the Thai capital, Bangkok, after the FIFA Council met and adopted a set of important decisions.

Today, FIFA announced on its official website that the Council had approved a set of important decisions, especially with regard to women’s football, which included the unanimous approval of the calendar of its international matches for the 2026-2029 cycle, including the first edition of the Women’s Club World Cup between January and February 2026, with the participation of 16 teams, with the tournament being held once every four years, and more details will be announced at a later time.

The Council proposed organizing an additional competition for women’s clubs under the umbrella of “FIFA”, starting in 2027, in the years in which the Women’s Club World Cup is not held.

FIFA announced that it would amend the regulations pertaining to the status and transfer of female players as of June 1, 2024, in order to focus on a set of key points that include the rights of female soccer players.

The Council approved the official appointment of Matthias Grafstrom to the position of Secretary-General of the International Federation after nominating him on an interim basis during the last meeting held in October 2023, and approved the holding of the first edition of the Women’s Futsal World Cup 2025 in the Philippines.

The distribution of seats in the U-17 Women’s World Cup, which Morocco will host in 2025-2029, was also approved, with seat numbers for Asia, 5 for Africa, 4 for North, Central America and the Caribbean, 4 for South America, 2 for Oceania, and 5 for Europe.

The Council also approved the distribution of seats for the 2025-2029 Qatar U-17 World Cup allocated to the continental federations, with Asia receiving 9, Africa 10, North, Central America and the Caribbean 8, South America 7, Oceania 3, and Europe 11.