Morocco and Saudi Arabia on the Brink of Early Qualification for the Quarter-Finals of the 2025 Arab Cup
Eyes are on the second round of Group B matches in the 2025 Arab Cup, which could determine the qualifiers for the quarter-finals early, given the clear advantage of both Morocco and Saudi Arabia after the first round.
The Moroccan national team faces a pivotal match against Oman at the Education City Stadium in Doha, buoyed by their opening victory over Comoros with a score of three goals to one. However, assistant coach Tarik Sektioui is confronted with significant absences following the confirmed injuries of Hamza Al-Hanouri and Achraf Bencharki, a challenge he has described as daunting in this Arab campaign.
Nevertheless, the morale within the Moroccan squad appears high, as striker Tarik Tisoudali emphasized the importance of securing all three points to ensure a comfortable preparation for the concluding match against Saudi Arabia, while defender Anas Bach warned of Oman’s improved performance in their first match and their ability to catch opponents off guard.
On the other hand, the Omani national team enters the match with no option but to win if they wish to keep their hopes alive, under increasing pressure on coach Carlos Queiroz, who expressed his anger over the refereeing after the loss to Saudi Arabia, before asserting his team’s readiness to rebound.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia will face Comoros at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, in what appears to be a manageable match following their initial win against Oman. The Green Falcons are counting on the brilliance of Salem Al-Dossary, while coach Hervé Renard will be absent from the sidelines due to his travel to Washington for the 2026 World Cup draw, leaving the task to his assistant François Rodriguez.
All indicators suggest that the two qualification spots could be settled early if Morocco and Saudi Arabia win again, making the second round matches a crucial checkpoint in shaping the quarter-finals for this edition of the Arab World Cup.
