Qatar unveil final World Cup squad as Team Qatar begin training in US

Doha: Goalkeeper Shehab Ellethy and defender Rayyan Al Ali were the two players omitted from the 28-man travelling squad that lost to Ireland in a friendly last weekQatar yesterday unveiled their final 26-player squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026, as coach Julen Lopetegui confirmed the players entrusted with carrying the nation's ambitions onto football's grandest stage in the United States, Canada and Mexico.The announcement, made on FIFA's squad submission deadline, represented a significant milestone in Al Annabi's preparations for what will be their second successive World Cup appearance and their first after earning qualification through merit.In a creative social media reveal, the Qatar Football Association presented the squad through a cinematic video featuring Lopetegui walking across a desert landscape as the players' images and names emerged from the sands, symbolising Qatar's remarkable journey to the global showpiece.Goalkeeper Shehab Ellethy of Al Shahaniya and Al Gharafa defender Rayyan Al Ali were the two players omitted from the 28-man travelling squad that lost to Ireland in a friendly last week.The squad announcement came a day after Qatar began training in Santa Barbara, California, following their arrival in the United States. Team Qatar have established their group-stage base at Westmont College, where preparations are now intensifying ahead of their opening fixture. Training sessions will be held at Thorrington Field throughout the first phase of the tournament, with the team set to relocate only if they advance to the knockout rounds.The 2026 World Cup marks another defining chapter in Qatar's football evolution. Four years after making their tournament debut as hosts, Team Qatar return to the world's biggest sporting event having secured qualification on merit, navigating the Asian play-offs to earn their place among football's elite.Drawn in Group B, Qatar will begin their campaign against Switzerland at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara on June 13 before facing co-hosts Canada in Vancouver on June 18. Their group-stage journey concludes against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Seattle on June 24.Before the tournament begins, Lopetegui's side will complete their preparations with a final warm-up fixture against El Salvador at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on June 6. 

FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026 match schedule revealed for group stage

Doha: The match schedule has been revealed for the group stage of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026.The tournament will take place from 19 November to 13 December, with the finest youth international teams on the planet set to compete for global glory. The inaugural 48-team edition of the event was held in Qatar last year and proved a huge success, with packed-out crowds savouring the chance to watch exceptional young talents showcase their skills on the world stage. More thrills are in store at this year’s event, with a host of eye-catching match-ups set in the U-17 World Cup draw. A vibrant and colourful atmosphere can be expected when host nation Qatar take on Egypt in Group A.Spain and Morocco will face off in a tantalising Group H clash, while there will be a showdown between the reigning U-17 South American and Asian champions when Colombia and Japan go head-to-head in Group L. The tournament will again be held at the state-of-the-art Aspire Zone complex, with eight matches per day during the group stage and Round of 32 phase.From Saturday to Wednesday, the action will begin at 15:30 local time, with the last kick-off at 18:30. On Thursdays and Fridays, the action will begin at 16:00, with the last kick-off at 19:00. The final will be staged at the Khalifa International Stadium on 13 December at 19:00 local time. 

Team Qatar Concludes Asian U20 Championships with 10-Medal Haul

Hong Kong – Team Qatar capped a highly successful campaign at the Asian U20 Athletics Championships in Hong Kong by adding two more medals on the final day of competition, bringing its overall tally to an impressive 10 medals.The four-day championship, held from May 28–31, brought together more than 300 athletes representing 31 nations, competing for continental honors and qualification standards for the upcoming World Athletics U20 Championships in the United States this August.Qatar's men's 4x400m relay team delivered a strong performance to secure the silver medal, while Hamad Dawi claimed bronze in the discus throw event.The additional medals elevated Qatar's final tally to 10 medals, comprising three gold, four silver, and three bronze, underscoring the nation's growing stature and continued excellence in Asian youth athletics. 

Team Qatar Raise Medal Tally to Five at Asian U20 Athletics Championships

Hong Kong: Team Qatar’s young athletes continued their impressive performances at the Asian U20 Athletics Championships currently taking place in Hong Kong, adding two more medals to the nation’s tally with a silver and a bronze in the men’s 400m event.Mohammed Kala claimed the silver medal after producing an outstanding performance and setting a new personal best. He had earlier clocked 45.37 seconds in the heats before delivering another strong run in the final.His teammate Youssef Abdulaziz secured the bronze medal in the same event, also recording a new personal best, as the two Qatari athletes shared a place on the continental podium.With the latest success, Team Qatar increased their overall medal haul to five medals at the championships, comprising two gold, two silver, and one bronze.Qatar opened their campaign with three medals, highlighted by a historic gold medal for Dana Salem in the women’s 100m, where she set new Qatari, Gulf, and Arab records with a time of 11.47 seconds. Promising athlete Mubarak Saeed also captured gold in the 3000m event to secure qualification for the World Championships, while Abdulrahman Ibrahim won silver in the hammer throw competition. 

Team Qatar qualify for Semifinals of Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Ostrava Elite 16

Ostrava: The Qatar men's beach volleyball team has advanced to the semifinals of the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Ostrava Elite 16, taking place in Czechia.Qatari duo Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan secured qualification after defeating the Argentine duo Nicolas and Tomas Capogrosso 2–1 in their quarterfinal match Saturday.The match was highly competitive and closely contested, as Qatar lost the first set 19–21, yet managed to bounce back strongly, showing championship character by winning the second and third sets 21–15 and 21–19 respectively, demonstrating the ability to turn tides in critical moments.Team Qatar will face David Ahman and Jonatan Hellvig of Sweden in the semifinals on Sunday. 

Qatar Duo Advance to Ostrava Elite 16 Quarterfinals

Prague: Qatar’s beach volleyball duo, Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan, booked their place in the quarterfinals of the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Elite16 event in Ostrava, Czech Republic, after continuing their impressive run in the tournament.The Qatari pair secured their spot in the last eight with a straight-sets victory over Sweden’s Holting Nilsson and Andersson in the Round of 16, winning 21-19, 21-18 in a closely contested encounter.Cherif and Tijan delivered another composed performance, showcasing their experience and strong teamwork to overcome the Swedish challenge and continue their pursuit of a podium finish.The Qatari duo will next face Argentina’s Nicolas Capogrosso and Tomas Capogrosso in the quarterfinals. The Argentine pair advanced after defeating Brazil’s Andre and Renato in three sets in the Round of 16.Qatar opened their campaign in Ostrava with victories over Latvia and France in the group stage before narrowly falling to a United States pair, a result that did little to hinder their progress to the knockout rounds.The Ostrava Elite16 tournament concludes on Sunday and is regarded as one of the premier stops on the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour, bringing together many of the world's top-ranked teams.