• Arab Cup 2025 mascot unveiled featuring iconic Juha character
• Draws on heritage tales to connect fans with Qatari tournament

The local organizing committee of the 2025 Arab Cup, in strategic partnership with FIFA, has revealed the official mascot for the upcoming edition.

In a surprising choice, the figure selected is the beloved Arab folklore character Juha, symbolizing the football event hosted by Qatar in December.

The mascot combines humor with historical symbolism, depicting a bearded man in a traditional Arab turban, with his distinctive long nose from classic illustrations, holding a football—a nod to Juha’s transition from folk tales to the excitement of modern stadiums.

The tournament will run from December 1 to 18, 2025, coinciding with preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations in the same month, potentially prompting some teams to rely on secondary or local players to protect their stars.

Group stage draws promise exciting matchups. The host nation Qatar leads Group A alongside Tunisia, awaiting the winners of Syria vs. South Sudan and Palestine vs. Libya. Group B features Morocco and Saudi Arabia with the winners of Oman vs. Somalia and Comoros vs. Yemen. Group C is considered balanced with the UAE, Egypt, Jordan, plus a qualifier from Mauritania and Kuwait. Defending champions Algeria top Group D with Iraq, awaiting the winners of Bahrain vs. Djibouti and Sudan vs. Lebanon.

Attention now turns to November 25-26, when preliminary qualifiers will determine the final entrants for the Arab football festival, with Tunisia defending its 2021 title.