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29 Dec’ 2025
AFC U23 Asian Cup to Kick Off in Saudi Arabia Next Week
Riyadh: The seventh edition of the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 will get underway next week in Saudi Arabia, with matches taking place in the cities of Jeddah and Riyadh from 6 to 24 January.
The lineup of 16 teams has been completed following the qualification of 15 teams through the qualifiers held last September, joining hosts Saudi Arabia, who qualified automatically as the tournament hosts.
The championship will feature all five previous title holders—Iraq, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Uzbekistan—who, along with Australia and Jordan, are the only seven teams to have appeared in all editions of the finals. Meanwhile, Kyrgyzstan and Lebanon will make their first-ever appearances in the tournament finals, bringing the total number of teams to have participated in the competition’s history to 27.
King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah will host the opening match on 6 January, when Vietnam face Jordan in Group A. On the same day, Saudi Arabia, champions of the 2022 edition, will begin their quest for a second title at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium against Kyrgyzstan.
Group B action will begin on 7 January, with defending champions Japan taking on Syria, followed later that day by Qatar’s opening match against the United Arab Emirates. Both teams are making their sixth appearance in the finals.
Qatar will be aiming to surpass their previous best achievement of finishing third in 2018, while the UAE’s best performances came with quarterfinal appearances in 2013, 2016, and 2020.
Group C matches will also get underway on 7 January, with the Republic of Korea facing Iran, followed by Uzbekistan’s clash with Lebanon.
The opening round will conclude on 8 January with two Group D matches, as Australia take on Thailand in the first game, followed by Iraq’s encounter with China in the second.
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Bayt Qatar to Bring Immersive Qatari Culture to Aichi-Nagoya 2026
Nagoya/The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) announced today that Bayt Qatar - the House of Qatar - will be open to visitors and local communities during the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4, 2026.Bayt Qatar offers a comprehensive cultural and sporting experience, giving visitors the opportunity to discover Qatari culture and heritage, explore the history of Qatari sport and its key achievements, and learn more about Doha’s preparations to host the 2030 Asian Games.Bayt Qatar serves as a space for connection between Qatar and Japan, and the wider Asian sports family that is coming together for the Nagoya 2026 Asian Games. Bayt Qatar will welcome visitors, local communities, families and sports enthusiasts who wish to discover Qatar beyond the sporting competitions.Operating Details:• Dates: 19 September – 4 October 2026• Location: Sakae 5, 5 Chome-15-19 Sakae, Naka Ward, Nagoya• Public Visitors Time Slots: 10:00 AM – 7:30 PM daily (limited availability)• Admission: Free• Registration Link: https://miniapp.line.me/2006571323-Ve6JEwbq?eventID=IF6MFEsVk7yjGkmeVEub Visitors to Bayt Qatar will embark on a journey exploring Qatar's sporting legacy, from the Doha 2006 Asian Games through preparations for 2030. Through images, stories and interactive content, the exhibition introduces Qatar's champions, cultural transformation, and ambitions for the future - demonstrating how sport, culture and hospitality are deeply interconnected in Qatari life.At the heart of Bayt Qatar lies the Majlis, a traditional gathering space where hospitality comes to life. Visitors are welcomed with Arabic coffee, tea, dates and regag – a crispy Qatari flatbread - while discovering the traditions and rituals of Qatari guest-welcoming customs. The Majlis reflects the central importance of conversation, connection and togetherness in Qatari culture. Bayt Qatar invites visitors to become active participants in Qatari culture through a series of interactive, hands-on experiences:• Sadu weaving: Discover and practice the traditional craft of Bedouin weaving• Arabic calligraphy: Have your name written in traditional Arabic script• Henna designs: Experience traditional henna art inspired by Qatari heritage• Digital art creation: Design contemporary digital artwork using patterns and visual elements inspired by Qatar• AI photo experience: Step into immersive, Qatari-inspired digital environments to create personal digital memoriesThe Bayt Qatar experience also includes the “Postcard” journey, inspired by an artwork by Qatari artist Mubarak Al Malik. Upon entering, visitors receive an artwork and collect a collection of stamps as they explore the venue and take part in various activities. The stamps gradually reveal the complete artwork, which visitors can keep as a souvenir documenting their visit to Bayt Qatar.Throughout the Games, Bayt Qatar will host special celebrations honouring Qatari male and female athletes who achieve medals and accomplishments during competitions. These celebrations will recognise athletic excellence while showcasing the achievements of Qatari sports on the continental stage.The initiative reinforces Qatar's vision for 2030 and demonstrates the country's readiness to welcome the Asian sporting community. Participation in Aichi-Nagoya 2026, including Bayt Qatar, provides an opportunity to strengthen relationships across Asia and showcase Qatar's unique position as both a host with heritage and a forward-thinking nation.On this occasion, H.E. Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain, Secretary General of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), has affirmed that Bayt Qatar in Nagoya is one of the initiatives that helps introduce Qatar and showcase its rich cultural and sporting heritage. It also highlights for visitors to the 20th Asian Games – Aichi-Nagoya 2026 – key milestones in the journey of Qatari sport, the achievements made over the years, and the major sporting events the country is preparing to host in the coming years.The QOC Secretary General said that staging Bayt Qatar alongside Team Qatar’s participation in the Games reflects the commitment to leveraging major sporting events to strengthen communication and bring people closer together. It also provides visitors with an opportunity to experience Qatari culture and heritage while learning about the development of sport in Qatar and its growing presence on the continental and international stages.Al Buenain noted that Bayt Qatar highlights several landmark moments in this journey, foremost among them the Doha 2006 Asian Games, which represented a significant milestone in the history of Qatari sport. This was followed by Qatar hosting a series of major championships and sporting events, alongside the achievements of Qatari athletes across continental and international competitions.He explained that Qatar’s success in organising major sporting events has been the result of years of work and investment in developing venues and infrastructure, building national capabilities, and accumulating expertise across a wide range of organisational and operational areas. He stressed that this experience now provides a strong foundation for the country as it prepares to host further major international sporting events in the years ahead.He said: “Through hosting numerous major championships, Qatar has demonstrated its ability to deliver sporting events to the highest standards. Today, we have an integrated system that encompasses world-class venues and infrastructure, extensive experience and highly capable national talent, as well as considerable expertise in planning, operations, transport, accommodation and services for athletes, delegations and spectators.”The QOC Secretary General pointed out that Qatar’s continued hosting of major sporting events reflects confidence in its organisational capabilities, noting that Doha is preparing to host the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, followed by the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship 2029, before hosting the Doha 2030 Asian Games for the second time in its history.He added: “Every new championship represents an opportunity to build on what we have achieved and continuously develop our expertise. Previous experiences have demonstrated the importance of having an integrated organisational system capable of efficiently meeting the diverse requirements of major sporting events, and this is something we are committed to continuing to develop in Qatar.”Al Buenain stressed that the success of any major sporting event depends on providing an integrated environment that places athletes at the heart of the organisational process and ensures participating delegations have everything they need to perform their roles effectively, while also ensuring efficient operations, ease of movement and high-quality services throughout the event.He added that Qatar’s participation in the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games also provides an opportunity to learn from different experiences and exchange expertise with National Olympic Committees and sporting organisations across the continent, as preparations continue for Doha to host the Asian Games in 2030.The QOC Secretary oncluded: “Bayt Qatar represents an important link in a journey extending from Doha 2006 to Doha 2030, reflecting both what Qatari sport has achieved and what we aspire to accomplish in the future. We have great confidence in Qatar’s organisational capabilities and national talent, and we will continue to build on our experience and sporting legacy through the major events ahead, leading up to welcoming Asia’s athletes back to Doha in 2030.”
Aichi-Nagoya 2026
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Volleyball
Qatar Women’s Volleyball Team Face Hong Kong
Qatar women’s national volleyball team will face Hong Kong today in the third and final round of Group D at the 20th Asian Games – Aichi-Nagoya 2026 – in Japan. Qatar will be looking for victory to bounce back from yesterday’s 3-0 defeat to South Korea in the second round of Group D. The sets ended 25-6, 25-6 and 25-10.Qatar began their campaign with a 3-0 defeat to Vietnam.The women’s volleyball competition features 14 teams divided into four groups, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the quarter-finals.Qatar women’s volleyball team will be aiming to finish the group stage with a victory and a positive result that builds on the experience gained from their participation in the Asian Games, which provides an important opportunity to compete against continental opposition and gain further experience for the future.
Aichi-Nagoya 2026
AsianGames
TeamQatar
Al Buenain Visits Team Qatar Delegation
H.E. Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain, Secretary General of the Qatar Olympic Committee, visited Team Qatar’s delegation headquarters at the Athletes’ Village today, ahead of the opening of the 20th Asian Games – Aichi-Nagoya 2026.Upon his arrival at Team Qatar’s delegation headquarters in the Athletes’ Village, Al Buenain was welcomed by Ahmed Al Darwish, Head of Team Qatar’s Administrative Delegation, and a number of delegation members.Al Buenain also visited the various facilities at Team Qatar’s delegation headquarters, where he was briefed on the ongoing work and arrangements being undertaken by the administrative delegation to provide athletes and technical staff with their various requirements and facilitate the delegation’s operations throughout their participation in the Games.Al Buenain praised the efforts of the administrative delegation members, stressing the importance of continuing their work and coordination to provide Team Qatar athletes with the best possible conditions, enabling them to focus on their competitions and perform at their best throughout the Games.The 20th Asian Games – Aichi-Nagoya 2026 – will officially open tomorrow, Saturday, and continue until 4 October, with 45 Asian nations competing across a wide range of sports.Qatar are participating in the 20th Asian Games – Aichi-Nagoya 2026 – with a delegation of 427 members, including 243 athletes – 184 men and 59 women – in addition to 142 technical and administrative staff, 23 members of the administrative delegation and 16 members of the media delegation.Team Qatar athletes will compete in 26 sports and 32 disciplines through 18 sports federations, with ambitions to achieve outstanding results and further strengthen the presence of Qatari sport on the Asian stage.Qatar will compete in athletics, football, basketball, 3x3 basketball, handball, volleyball, beach volleyball, squash, padel, taekwondo, judo, artistic gymnastics, golf, shooting, swimming, jiu-jitsu, esports, sailing, equestrian, karate, fencing, archery, wrestling, boxing, weightlifting and table tennis.
Al-Kuwari and Al-Sharshani to carry Qatar’s Flag at Opening Ceremony
JAPAN — In a moment that embodies the highest expressions of national pride, the eyes of Qatari, Arab and Asian fans will turn today to the Japanese city of Nagoya, where Team Qatar stars Mohammed Saadoun Al-Kuwari and Reem Al-Sharshani will carry the national flag at the Opening Ceremony of the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, in a scene that reflects Qatar’s proud presence at the continent’s premier multi-sport event.The Qatari flag will take centre stage during the Opening Ceremony, proudly flying among the flags of the participating nations as Al-Kuwari and Al-Sharshani carry the national colours. The moment carries deep significance, reflecting the confidence placed in Qatar’s sporting talent and the high hopes and aspirations surrounding the nation’s participation in the Games.The honour of carrying the flag holds particular significance for the duo, as the moment represents not only the two athletes, but every member of the Qatari delegation taking part in the Games, as well as the athletes who have travelled to Japan carrying their dreams and ambitions to represent the Team Qatar colours and achieve the best possible results.Mohammed Saadoun Al-Kuwari, captain of Qatar’s national padel team, expressed his pride at being selected to carry the Team Qatar flag at the Opening Ceremony of the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, reaffirming his honour in representing the national padel team and carrying its emblem at this major continental sporting gathering.Carrying the national flag at a major sporting event is both an honour and a responsibility. For Al-Kuwari and Al-Sharshani, being entrusted with Qatar’s flag makes this an exceptional moment in their sporting journeys and a unique opportunity to express their pride in their country and represent it at an event that brings together Asia’s finest athletes.With the conclusion of the Opening Ceremony, the competition journey will officially begin, as feelings of excitement and pride give way to responsibility on the courts, fields and in the arenas. Qatar’s athletes will take to competition with the ambition of delivering strong performances and once again seeing the national flag raised on the medal podiums.From the heart of Japan, Team Qatar embarks on a new Asian Games journey, carrying with it ambition, determination and the unwavering desire to excel. Above all, the Qatari flag remains the symbol that unites every member of the delegation under one banner: Qatar.