- A detailed account of the Final will be available in Arabic and English
Blind and partially sighted fans attending the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 Final will be able to make use of audio descriptive commentary, in Arabic and English. The service has been provided by the Local Organising Committee (LOC) at select matches throughout the global youth tournament, which took place at the Aspire Zone. The Final, set to be played on 27 November, will take place at Khalifa International Stadium.
Audio descriptive commentary provides blind and partially sighted fans with a detailed account of what is happening in the stadium, including where the ball is on the pitch, players’ facial expressions and what is happening in the stands. After arriving at the game, fans simply need to download the 3annak app (available on iOS and Android) on their personal devices, enter the code “U17,” and use their own headphones to listen to the dedicated commentary. “It was a beautiful experience. I learned new things about the game through this service,” said Yousef Aaid, a 13-year old partially sighted student who attended a number of Qatar’s group stage matches.
“Being able to attend matches in person and feel the energy of the crowd was unforgettable. I think it is really important for football tournaments to be accessible to all fans, because everyone should be able to enjoy the beautiful game that we all love,” he added. The commentators delivering the service have been trained as part of a comprehensive programme that dates back to the first edition of the FIFA Arab Cup held in Qatar in 2021, where the service was made available in the Arabic language for the first time. Commentators were specially trained in collaboration with Hamad bin Khalifa University, creating a pool of skilled professionals to support Qatar’s continuous commitment towards delivering accessible mega-sporting events. “It’s a privilege for me to be part of this initiative, knowing the impact that it has on the lives of blind and partially sighted fans. The work being done in this area is reflective of our belief that everyone has the right to be part of major tournaments such as the U-17 World Cup,” said, Sanad Al Rousan, one of the audiodescriptive commentators taking part in the tournament. Audio descriptive commentary is one of the several accessibility features available for disabled fans at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025. Carrying forward Qatar’s commitment to host tournaments that are accessible to all, tournament organisers ensured disabled fans were part of the football excitement. Other accessibility features at the venue included wheelchair-accessible seating across all pitches, and a mobile sensory room at the fan zone for fans with neurodivergent needs.