Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Sports Council (DSC), the inaugural edition of the Dubai Challenge Cup 2024 kicks off today with a tournament that will expand Dubai’s “global football destination” status and grow into a stand-out fixture on the emirate’s annual sporting calendar.

A collaboration between the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), the Dubai Sports Council, and Gallop Global, the Dubai Challenge Cup 2024 will feature four teams: Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli, Morocco’s Raja Casablanca, China’s Wuhan Three Towns, and Egypt’s Zamalek SC. The three-day tournament will run from 26th-28th January at Al Maktoum Stadium, home to the UAE Pro League side Al Nasr.

Tomorrow night’s opening match will kick off at 18:00 GST and pits 14-time Egyptian champions Zamalek against Raja, the three-time African Champions and eight-time winners of the Moroccan Cup, while the following evening will see Al Ahli take on Wuhan, again at 18:00. Sunday’s final day will start with a third-place play-off at 16:00 followed by the previous days’ winners meeting at 20:00.

In his address at the pre-tournament news conference, which had former Liverpool star and current Al-Ahli Saudi forward Roberto Firmino among the attendees, Saeed Hareb, Secretary-General of the Dubai Sports Council, extended a warm welcome to everyone in attendance, including representatives from participating clubs, officials from the Department of Economy and Tourism, key partners who have played a crucial role in the success and organisation of prominent sports events, and Al Nasr, who are hosting the event.

Hareb remarked, "Dubai has solidified its status as a preferred destination for leading international teams, attracting them for training camps and participation in tournaments of this calibre annually. Our objective is to foster the growth of football, strengthen collaboration between local and international clubs, and offer fans of diverse nationalities the opportunity to immerse themselves in the spirited atmosphere of competitive matches while passionately supporting their teams. With Dubai being home to over 200 nationalities, we are committed to providing this annual platform for fans to follow their favourite teams."

He went on to highlight the success of last year’s Dubai Super Cup, which featured powerhouse European clubs such as Liverpool, Arsenal, Lyon, and AC Milan, as a springboard for the Dubai Challenge Cup to build on. Hareb expressed satisfaction in presenting this edition with four prominent clubs from Asia and Africa, each boasting a substantial fan base.