AL-KHOR, Qatar – As a thrilling inaugural edition of the FIFA Arab Cup 2021 concluded with Algeria defeating Tunisia 2-0 in the final after extra time, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed that the tournament is here to stay.
16 teams from Africa and Asia battled it out for the first trophy on the pathway to the first final at Al-Bayt Stadium and Infantino told beIN SPORTS prior to the final that the tournament has a role to play in uniting people from across the region in the future.
“We will make it possible, under the umbrella of FIFA: the FIFA Arab Cup will continue,” said Infantino. “It has to continue [because] it’s such a successful event.”
Algeria is the first-ever FIFA Arab Cup champions after a final day light on goals but heavy on drama.
Les Fennecs needed extra time to find a way past a determined, well-organised Tunisia side, with Amir Sayoud emerging as the inaugural champions’ unexpected hero.
Earlier, Qatar secured the last place on the podium thanks largely to an inspired showing from their young, second-choice keeper.
FIFA.com rounds up the action from a day of football that sparked celebrations in Doha, Algiers and far beyond.
“It is proof of what football can do; bringing continents together, bringing people together, bringing countries together, bringing fans together, and bringing players together,” the President continued. “This joy, this emotion, which we have been feeling throughout this tournament – not only in Qatar but in the entire Arab World and all over the world.”
“We will discuss how and under which conditions, but it will continue with the best players playing in this competition,” Infantino added.
The final, which attracted a crowd of 60,456, also included a half-time ceremony where the FIFA President made an on-the-pitch medal presentation to a group of front line health workers who have been supporting the local effort to tackle the coronavirus.
“It was great to have the opportunity to meet with people who have been making sacrifices to ensure that our society can continue to function beyond Covid,” the FIFA President said. “They have told us to put health first and I commend them for their tireless commitment and dedication during these difficult times.”
Algeria captain Yacine Brahimi was in a league of his own at the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2021. Impressive throughout the tournament, he led his side to the trophy and deservedly took the Golden Ball.
Team-mate Youcef Belaili collected the adidas Silver Ball, while the adidas Bronze Ball went to Qatar forward Akram Afif.
Seifeddine Jaziri was handed the adidas Golden Boot as the tournament’s leading scorer, with the adidas Golden Glove going to veteran Algeria keeper Rais Mbolhi.
“Brahimi has done a fantastic job,” said former FIFA World Cup winner Jurgen Klinsmann. “He’s a fighter and every time his team went on the attack, he was there in the thick of the action.”
The Algeria captain was one of the stars of Qatar 2021 thanks to his leadership skills, scoring twice and providing two assists to help them reach the final, where he grabbed his side’s second to set the seal on his outstanding tournament.
Golden Boot: Seifeddine Jaziri
The 28-year-old Tunisian excelled throughout the competition, setting his side on the road to the final with a brace in their opening Group B match against Mauritania.
Not content with that, he scored the winner in the final group game against United Arab Emirates and opened the scoring in the quarter-final meeting with Oman.
Bronze Ball: Akram Afif
Qatar picked their big names and were widely tipped to reach the final. The pick of their performers was midfielder Akram Afif, who had a big hand in their five wins in the competition.
No player in the tournament served up more than Afif’s four assists. He also chipped in with two goals in the group phase.
Silver Ball: Youcef Belaili
Belaili was one of the standout performers of Qatar 2021 and showed his true worth to the Algeria cause in the knockout phase, playing a vital role as they made their way to the final.
The 29-year-old midfielder displayed all his attacking skills in the semi-final duel with hosts Qatar, scoring his side’s winner and walking off with the player of the match award. Against Morocco in the previous round, he scored one of the goals of the tournament.
