Muscat – The 11th FIFA Arab Cup opened in Doha on Monday, launching a two-week football showcase that runs until December 18, with Oman among the regional contenders aiming for a place in the knockout stages.

A vibrant opening ceremony at Al Bayt Stadium set the tone for the tournament, followed by the curtain-raiser between hosts Qatar and Palestine. Tunisia and Syria, the remaining teams in Group One, met later in the evening.

Oman begin their campaign on Tuesday against Saudi Arabia at Education City Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 9pm Oman time. The Red Warriors will then face Morocco – widely viewed as one of the tournament’s strongest sides – on Friday at 6:30pm, before wrapping up their group stage fixtures against Comoros on December 8 at Stadium 974.

In the lead-up to the competition, Muscat Daily spoke to several football experts who analysed Oman’s prospects and the challenges ahead.

Football analyst Ahmed al Balushi noted that both Saudi Arabia and Morocco tend to play at a high tempo, emphasising that Oman will need disciplined defending and swift transitions to stay competitive.

Ismail al Ajmi, a sports analyst, highlighted Oman’s balanced midfield as a potential strength. “If Oman can control the rhythm early, especially against Saudi Arabia, the team will grow in confidence. The key is avoiding defensive lapses in the opening stages,” he said.

He added that matches between Gulf neighbours are always intense. “The competition between brothers is never easy – these games are competitive, enjoyable and demanding. Mental and psychological readiness will be the biggest difference in securing a win.”

Analysts agree that Oman’s chances will depend on maintaining defensive discipline, managing pressure in midfield and capitalising on scoring opportunities.

“Small details win games at this level,” Ajmi said. “If Oman stay organised and confident, advancing beyond the group is possible.”