Beloved Arab folklore figure Juha stars as FIFA Arab Cup 2025 mascot

A popular character from Arab folklore has been unveiled as the official mascot for December’s FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) has announced.

The FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 mascot, 'Juha' or 'Juha the Joker,' draws inspiration from the well-known fictional figure in Arab literature, traditionally portrayed as a clumsy, slow-witted man who stumbles into comical situations through his eccentric behaviour.

According to the LOC, the mascot is designed to reflect Arab cultural heritage, particularly the tradition of delivering moral and social lessons through engaging and humorous tales.

Historians, however, note that Juha’s origins are disputed. The character is believed to date back to around the eighth century and is most likely of Persian origin, though he has since been embraced across both Arab and Turkish folklore.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding his roots, there is broad agreement that the hundreds of stories featuring Juha have become a cornerstone of Arab popular humour and remain widespread across the Middle East.

The beloved folk figure will be brought to life during the FIFA Arab Cup, which runs from 1–18 December in Qatar.

Tickets for the tournament are now on sale, with Qatar also set to host the final three matches of the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar - presented by sponsor Aramco - on 10, 13 and 17 December at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, one of the venues used during the historic FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

The opening match is scheduled for 1 December at Al Bayt Stadium, where hosts Qatar will face the winner of Palestine v Libya.

Palestine and Libya are set to meet on 25 November 2025 at 16:00 UTC as part of the Arab Cup qualification stage. The tournament’s Final will take place on 18 December at Lusail Stadium, the largest venue in the host nation.