Qatar Football Association

The Qatar Football Association (QFA) was established in 1960 and became a member of FIFA in 1970 and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in 1972. Since then, the QFA has played a central role in the development of football across the country, overseeing national competitions—most notably the Qatar Stars League and the Amir Cup—and managing all national teams across age categories. The QFA was also instrumental in the establishment of Aspire Academy, which has become a global model in talent development.

Qatar’s national team made history by winning the AFC Asian Cup twice consecutively: first in 2019 in the UAE, and again in 2023 on home soil, becoming the first team to retain the title in over two decades. Qatar also participated in prestigious international tournaments, including the 2019 Copa América and the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup. In 2022, the QFA hosted the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022—the first ever held in the Middle East—setting new standards in tournament delivery and fan experience. The national team continues its progress, including qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games (U-23). Key players include Almoez Ali, Akram Afif, Hassan Al-Haydos, and Tarek Salman, alongside a new generation of emerging talent. The QFA remains committed to advancing Qatari football through innovation, international partnerships, and long-term strategic planning.