Doha, Qatar – The 2025 FIFA Arab Cup kicks off today with a Group C clash between Egypt and Kuwait at the Lusail Stadium. Egypt’s coach, Helmi Toulan, has expressed his ambition for a strong showing in the tournament, despite the absence of key players preparing for the Africa Cup of Nations. This marks Egypt’s sixth appearance in the Arab Cup, a competition designed to foster football development across the Arab world.
The match, scheduled for today, will see Egypt face a confident Kuwaiti side fresh off a 2-0 qualifying win against Mauritania. Both teams are aiming to make a significant impact in the tournament, with Egypt seeking to add to its 1992 title and Kuwait striving for its first championship.
Egypt Eyes Strong Performance at the FIFA Arab Cup 2025
Despite missing stars like Mohamed Salah, who remains with Liverpool, and Omar Marmoush, with Manchester City, Egypt is determined to compete at a high level. Toulan stated that the preparatory period, which included friendlies against Tunisia, Morocco, and Algeria, was crucial in evaluating player levels and building a cohesive squad. He emphasized the blend of youth and experience within the team.
The Egyptian coach acknowledged the limited time he has with the national team but expressed a desire to leave a positive mark. He highlighted the strong support expected from Egyptian fans both in Doha and back home, which he believes will be a significant boost to the team’s morale.
Kuwait’s Preparations and Strategy
Meanwhile, Kuwait’s Portuguese coach, Hélio Sousa, is focused on long-term team building alongside achieving immediate success. Sousa noted that his team has played six preparatory matches since September, aiming to establish a solid foundation for future competitions. He emphasized the importance of playing well and securing a victory in the opening match.
Sousa recognizes the challenge posed by Egypt, a team with a rich footballing history and experience in the Arab Cup. He also pointed out that Egypt previously participated in the tournament with a largely second-string team, similar to the current situation, and that several African nations reached the semi-finals in the 2021 edition, demonstrating the growing strength of football on the continent.
Historically, encounters between these two nations in the Arab Cup have been closely contested. Egypt secured a narrow 1-0 victory in 1992, but Kuwait responded with a dominant 4-1 win in 1998. This head-to-head record adds another layer of anticipation to today’s match at the iconic Lusail Stadium, the venue for the 2022 FIFA World Cup final.
The broader FIFA Arab Cup 2025 tournament serves as a vital platform for regional football development, offering opportunities for players to gain international experience and for nations to test their capabilities. The competition also provides a logistical and organizational rehearsal for Qatar as it continues to host major sporting events. The tournament is expected to draw significant attention from across the Arab world and beyond, boosting tourism and showcasing Qatar’s infrastructure.
Following today’s opening match, both Egypt and Kuwait will continue their group stage commitments against Jordan and the UAE, respectively. The outcome of these matches will be crucial in determining their chances of progressing to the knockout stages. The performance of both teams in this tournament will likely influence their selections and strategies for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations and other international qualifiers.
The next steps involve observing how both teams adapt to the tournament conditions and utilize their squads effectively. The level of competition and the impact of player absences will be key factors to watch as the FIFA Arab Cup 2025 unfolds. Further analysis will be needed to assess the long-term benefits of the tournament for football development in the region.
