Doha, Qatar – Comprehensive medical services are being implemented across all venues for the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025, ensuring the safety and well-being of players, spectators, and officials. The Local Organising Committee (LOC) is leveraging Qatar’s established expertise in hosting major sporting events to deliver a high standard of care throughout the tournament. This commitment to health and safety is a key component of the event’s overall operational plan.
The medical operations are a collaborative effort between Aspetar, the globally recognized orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital and the Official Medical Partner, and Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), Qatar’s national healthcare provider. This partnership combines specialized sports medicine knowledge with the broad capabilities of a national healthcare system. The tournament is scheduled to take place in late 2025, building on Qatar’s recent experience hosting the FIFA World Cup 2022.
Ensuring Top-Tier Medical Services for the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025
According to the LOC, providing robust medical services is paramount to the success of the Arab Cup. The goal is to enable athletes to perform at their peak while simultaneously offering immediate and effective support to anyone requiring assistance during the event. This includes everything from minor first aid to emergency medical intervention and hospital transport.
Approximately 700 medical personnel, including doctors, nurses, and paramedics, will be stationed at stadiums, training facilities, and team hotels. These teams will operate fully equipped ambulances and dedicated on-site clinics. The scale of the operation reflects the anticipated attendance and the need for rapid response capabilities.
Coordination and Preparation are Key
Dr. Omar Alsayrafi, Venue Medical Manager at Al Bayt Stadium, emphasized the unique demands of providing medical care in a stadium environment. He noted that it differs significantly from traditional hospital or clinic work, requiring a high degree of coordination within a larger operational framework. Effective communication and teamwork are essential.
Preparation for the tournament has been extensive, with detailed planning undertaken well in advance. Medical teams operate under clearly defined roles and FIFA-compliant protocols, governing both on-field and off-field emergency response procedures. This meticulous planning aims to minimize response times and maximize the quality of care.
Dr. Nejib Benzarti, also a Venue Medical Manager at Al Bayt Stadium, highlighted the importance of proactive measures. “The most important work happens before the tournament begins,” he stated. “By the time the first match kicks off, every clinic, every team member and every protocol must already be in place.”
Building on Qatar’s Sporting Event Experience
Qatar has invested heavily in its medical infrastructure and expertise in recent years, particularly in anticipation of hosting major sporting events like the FIFA World Cup. This investment has resulted in a highly capable healthcare system prepared to handle the demands of large-scale tournaments. Sports medicine capabilities have been significantly enhanced.
The country’s experience hosting the 2022 World Cup provided valuable lessons in event medical planning and execution. These lessons are being directly applied to the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025, further refining the operational procedures and ensuring a seamless experience for all participants. Event operations are now more streamlined and efficient.
Additionally, the LOC is working closely with security forces to ensure a safe and secure environment for all attendees, recognizing that security and medical preparedness are interconnected. This holistic approach to safety is a defining characteristic of Qatar’s event hosting strategy.
Looking ahead, the LOC will continue to finalize logistical details and conduct training exercises to ensure all medical personnel are fully prepared. Further details regarding specific medical protocols and emergency procedures will likely be released closer to the tournament date. The success of the medical services provided will be a key indicator of the overall quality of the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025.
The final accreditation process for medical staff is expected to conclude in the third quarter of 2025, and ongoing assessments of venue readiness will continue throughout the year. Potential disruptions due to unforeseen circumstances, such as regional health concerns, remain a factor to watch.
