The UAFA has announced that Algeria will host the first Arab Cup of Nations in 2009. The new competition will include 22 Arab countries, with 8 taking part in the final tournament. The tournament will be played in 2 groups of 4, with the top 2 making the semi-finals. UAFA will invest $16 million in this first tournament with the winner taking home the sum of $3 million. However, UAFA has stipulated that nations must enter their 'A' team into the tournament, not a 'B' or junior team.

-Winning team will get $3 million
-Runner-up will get $2 million
-3rd place will get $1.5 million
-4th place will get $1 million
-4 other teams from group stage will get $500,000 each
-The other 14 teams (from qualifiers) will split the remaining $2 million