Qatar Volleyball Team Steps Up Final Tests Ahead of World Championship

DOHA  – Qatar’s national volleyball team will face Iran on Tuesday in their fourth and final friendly match at the Qatar Volleyball Association Hall, as part of their preparations for the FIVB World Championship in the Philippines from September 12 to 28. This will be Qatar’s second-ever appearance on the world stage.In their last meeting, Qatar fell to Iran 3–1 with set scores of 23–25, 21–25, 25–23, and 21–25. Head coach Camilo Soto of Argentina rotated all squad members across the four sets to test tactics and ensure valuable playing time ahead of the global tournament.The squad suffered a setback with news that player Rahimi will undergo knee surgery on September 7, ruling him out of the championship.Qatar’s build-up also included two friendlies against Egypt on August 25 and 26, which both ended 2–2 after an agreed format designed to maximize player participation and refine tactical systems.Next up, Ukraine will arrive in Doha on Tuesday to play three friendlies against Qatar on September 4, 6, and 7. These matches will mark the final stage of preparation before the team departs for Manila on September 9.Drawn in a tough Group B, Qatar will face defending champions and world number one Poland, the Netherlands, and Romania. Their campaign begins against the Netherlands on September 13, continues with Poland on September 15, and concludes versus Romania on September 17. The top two teams in each group will progress to the round of 16.This marks Qatar’s second appearance at the World Championship, following their debut in the 2022 edition held in Poland and Slovenia.

Historic Partnership Celebrates Basketball Heritage and Expands Cultural Cooperation Ahead of FIBA World Cup Qatar 2027

Doha – The Organizing Committee of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 has taken a major step toward strengthening the cultural and heritage dimension of the tournament by signing a landmark cooperation and cultural partnership agreement with the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, the Qatar Basketball Federation, and the FIBA Foundation ( the social and legacy arm of the International Basketball Federation.At the outset of the signing ceremony, Mr. Mohammed Saad Al-Rumaihi, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Museums, and Mr. Mohammed Saad Al-Mughaseeb, Director General of the Organizing Committee of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 and President of the Qatar Basketball Federation, expressed their profound gratitude to His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Organizing Committee of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, and Her Excellency HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums' Board of Trustees, for their unwavering support in advancing both the sporting and cultural sectors through the integration of culture and sport.The cooperation and cultural partnership agreement was then signed by Mr. Mohammed Saad Al-Rumaihi and Mr. Mohammed Saad Al-Mughaseeb, in the presence of Mr. Abdullah Yousuf Al-Mulla, Director of the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, and Mr. Fahad Ibrahim Gumaa, Executive Director of Strategic Planning and Integration at the Organizing Committee, alongside  guests and representatives of media outlets.This agreement seeks to create a comprehensive framework for collaboration and coordination, paving the way for educational, awareness, marketing, and documentation initiatives that showcase the legacy of basketball at both the local and international levels. It also reinforces Qatar’s standing as a premier global hub for sport and culture.Under the agreement, the partners will host joint exhibitions and showcases on basketball heritage at the 3-2-1 Museum, organize community and interactive fan events both inside and outside the museum, and deliver educational programs, school visits, and workshops exploring the history of the game and its leadership. The initiative will also document the history of basketball in Qatar through collections, digitization, and oral history, while granting access to FIBA’s historical archive for research purposes.On the promotional front, the partners will launch joint digital campaigns, develop commemorative merchandise, and create retail opportunities tied to the World Cup. As part of the legacy and artistic development strand, plans include building community courts decorated with art inspired by the 2027 World Cup, launching joint initiatives to develop coaches, and collecting and preserving memorabilia for future generations.On this occasion, Mr. Mohammed Saad Al-Rumaihi said: We believe that sport and culture are powerful tools for encouraging community engagement and strengthening national identity. Through them, creativity flourishes, social cohesion is reinforced, and innovation grows , all of which are fundamental pillars for building a diverse, knowledge-based society.He added: “In this context, I wish to express my appreciation to our partners at the Qatar Basketball Federation and the Organizing Committee of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 for this constructive collaboration. Together, we look forward to achieving great successes that will leave a lasting legacy for Qatar’s hosting of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027.”Mr. Mohammed Saad Al-Mughaisib said: “This partnership connects our proud sporting history with our thriving present and bright future. The museum preserves our achievements and showcases our sporting heritage, while the tournament opens doors to a global legacy, highlighting Qatar as a leading sports destination. Through this collaboration, we aim to offer fans and visitors a one-of-a-kind experience that goes beyond the court—blending the excitement of sports with culture and knowledge, while inspiring future generations through events that celebrate basketball’s legacy.”At a press conference  held on the sidelines of signing  ceremony, Mr. Abdullah Yousuf Al-Mulla, Director of the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum told the media that the agreement plays a vital promotional, cultural, and educational role in introducing the world to Qatar’s rich culture and its proven ability to host major sporting events. He added that the museum serves as a strategic partner in advancing Qatar National Vision 2030 through programs, workshops, cultural sports exhibitions, and school visits that allow students to engage directly with global basketball stars.For his side, Mr. Fahad Ibrahim Gumaa, Executive Director of Strategic Planning and Integration at LOC,  noted that this  partnership aims to promote basketball and the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, while continuing to build collaboration and investment to connect people across the region and the world with Qatar’s sporting legacy. He highlighted that the initiative will also educate fans and showcase the memorabilia of legendary basketball players, as part of Qatar’s ongoing cooperation with FIBA. 

Qatar Shooting Federation Reveals New Calendar, hails Asian Success

Doha – The Qatar Shooting & Archery Federation has announced its upcoming competitions and international appearances, reaffirming its ambition to shine both in Asia and on the global stage.Mr. Jassim Shaheen Al-Sulaiti, Secretary General of the Federation, expressed his pride in the national shooters’ impressive performance at the 16th Asian Championship held in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, where Team Qatar captured seven medals , two silvers and five bronzes. He credited this success to strategic planning, strong leadership support, and the backing of the Qatar Olympic Committee.Looking ahead, Al-Sulaiti outlined the team’s key targets: the World Shotgun Championship in Greece this October, followed by the prestigious ISSF World Cup Final in Doha this December, which will bring together the world’s top marksmen.Preparations for these events are already underway, with international coaches brought on board, intensive training camps held, and a new selection system introduced to ensure the best shooters represent Qatar. He also highlighted the parallel focus on developing youth teams alongside the senior squad.To guarantee peak performance, the Federation has engaged mental coaches, fitness experts, and performance specialists. A clear roadmap has been set to compete strongly at global championships, secure Olympic qualification, and build towards the Asian Games Doha 2030.Al-Sulaiti emphasized that Qatar’s hosting of the World Cup Final this December reflects the country’s proven track record in staging world-class events. The nation will also welcome the Asian Shotgun Championship in January, in addition to its signature annual domestic tournaments such as the HH The Amir’s Cup, Neshan, and Muqdam. Further ahead, Doha is preparing to host the Asian Shooting Championship in 2026 and the World Shooting Championship in 2027, which will attract between 1,000 and 2,000 participants.He concluded by stressing that the Asian success is just the beginning of a new chapter for Qatari shooting, with the Federation committed to strategic plans that will deliver more victories and raise Qatar’s flag high at international arenas.

Lopetegui names Qatar squad for friendlies vs Russia and Bahrain

DOHA - Qatar coach Julen Lopetegui has announced the squad for the two friendly matches against Russia and Bahrain, as part of preparations for the fourth round of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup which will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.Qatar will face Bahrain on September 3 at Al Thumama Stadium, before taking on Russia on September 7 at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium. These matches continue the team’s preparation programme, which started with an abroad training camp in Austria last July.The squad saw little change from the one announced by Lopetegui in early July, except for the absence of captain Hassan Al Haydos and striker Almoez Ali due to injury.The Spanish coach recalled several names, including Al Rayyan goalkeeper Mahmud Abunada, Al Duhail defender Sultan al-Braik, and Al Wakrah defender Almahdi Ali, while excluding goalkeepers Marwan Sharif and Shehab Ellethy.The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) had held the draw for the fourth round (continental playoff), which will be hosted in Doha, placing Qatar in Group A alongside the UAE and Oman.Qatar will begin their playoff campaign against Oman on October 8, before meeting the UAE on October 14, while Oman will face the UAE on October 11. Group B will be held in Saudi Arabia and includes the host nation along with Iraq and Indonesia.Qatar, the reigning two-time AFC Asian Cup champions, reached the playoff after finishing fourth in the third round with 13 points from 10 matches, behind Iran (23 points), Uzbekistan (21 points), and the UAE (15 points). Kyrgyzstan finished fifth with eight points, and North Korea sixth with three points.Qatar squad: Mahmoud Abunada, Meshaal Barsham, Salah Zakaria (goalkeepers), Abdulaziz Hatem, Ahmed Al Rawi, Ahmed Alaa, Ahmed Al Ganehi, Ahmed Fathy, Ahmed Suhail, Akram Afif, Almahdi Ali, Assim Madibo, Bassam Al Rawi, Boualem Khoukhi, Edmilson Junior, Guilherme Torres, Homam Al Amin, Ismail Mohammed, Jassim Jaber, Karim Boudiaf, Mohammed Mannai, Mohamed Khalid, Mohammed Muntari, Pedro Miguel, Sultan Al Brake, Tarek Salman.Meanwhile Bahrain head coach Dragan Talajic has called up under-17 player Hussain Zuhair and Al Ahli Club’s Sayed Mahdi Sharaf in the squad.Zuhair and Sharaf join a formidable Bahrain roster that already includes Mohammed Jassim Marhoon, Mohammed Al Rumaihi, Amine Benaddi, Waleed Al Hayyam, Abdulla Al Khalasi, Ahmed Dhiya, Sayed Mahmoud al-Mosawi, Ahmed Bughammar, Hamad Shamsan, Sayed Mahdi Baqer, Sayed Dhiya Saeed, Hussain Al Eker, Vincent Emmanuel, Hazza Ali, Hussain Jameel, Mahdi Humaidan, Ali Madan, Ahmed Al Sherooqi, Omar Saber, Jassim Al Shaikh, Komail Al Aswad, Abdulla Al Subaie, Hussain Abdulkarim, Mahdi Abduljabbar, Ebrahim Al Khattal, and goalkeepers Ebrahim Luthfallah, Mohammed Al Gharably, Abdulkarim Al Fardan and Yousef Habib. 

Qatar edged out by Yemen in Gulf U-20 Championship

Abha, Saudi Arabia – Qatar’s U-20 side fell to a narrow 1–0 defeat against Yemen in their second Group A encounter at the Gulf U-20 Championship in Saudi Arabia.The decisive moment came in the 21st minute when Yemeni forward Mokhtar Mowafaq converted his team’s early dominance into the game’s only goal. Despite going behind, team Qatar  regrouped after the break, showing more control in midfield and creating promising chances. Spanish coach Emmanuel Infante made several changes to inject fresh energy, but the equalizer proved elusive.With the defeat, Qatar remain on a single point following their opening 2–2 draw with Kuwait, while Yemen climbed to three points level with hosts Saudi Arabia, who face Kuwait later in the day at Prince Sultan Sports City Stadium.Qatar’s final group-stage challenge will be a high-stakes meeting with Saudi Arabia on Wednesday at the same venue.The championship brings together eight teams, divided into two groups: Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Yemen in Group A, while Group B features Oman, Bahrain, Iraq, and Egypt, who joined by invitation after the UAE withdrew. Matches are being staged at Prince Sultan Sports City and Damac Club Stadiums.

Team Qatar clinches Triple Gold at Arab Aquatics Championships in Morocco

Casablanca – Team Qatar continued its brilliant run at the 4th Arab Aquatics Championships for Age Groups, clinching three new gold medals on Friday in Casablanca, Morocco. The tournament, which runs until September 1, features athletes from 19 Arab nations across swimming, water polo, and open water swimming.Ali Sayed stormed to victory in the men’s 50m freestyle (general category), clocking an impressive 22.65 seconds to claim gold. In the 100m breaststroke (13–14 age group), Adam Morsi secured Qatar’s second gold of the day with a winning time of 1:09.35 minutes. The third gold came through Mohammed Mahmoud, who topped the podium in the 200m individual medley (general category), finishing in 2:05.78 minutes.Adding to the medal tally, Abdullah Al Ghamri earned a bronze medal in the 200m backstroke (17–18 age group).With these results, Qatar’s swimmers not only secured podium finishes but also set new Arab records, underlining their rising status in regional aquatics. The latest victories lifted Qatar’s overall tally to seven gold medals at the championship.