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4 Nov’ 2025

Qatar Drawn with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Kuwait in Gulf Cup U-23 Group A

Doha: The draw for the Gulf Cup U-23 Football Tournament, conducted on Tuesday, placed Qatar’s Olympic team at the top of Group A, alongside Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Kuwait, while Group B features Iraq, the UAE, Oman, and Yemen.

The draw ceremony was held remotely via video conference at the Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation (AGCFF) headquarters in Doha.

The tournament will take place in Doha from December 4 to 16, bringing together Gulf national teams in one of the region’s most prominent youth competitions.

Ahead of the draw, the AGCFF divided the eight participating teams into four pots based on their latest FIFA rankings. Qatar and Iraq were placed in Pot 1 and designated as the heads of Groups A and B, respectively. Saudi Arabia and the UAE were in Pot 2, Bahrain and Oman in Pot 3, and Kuwait and Yemen in Pot 4.

Under the tournament’s format, each group of four teams will compete in a single round-robin stage, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals. The Group A winner will face the Group B runner-up, and vice versa, with the final deciding the tournament champion.

The draw has set up classic Gulf rivalries, promising a series of high-intensity and technically competitive matches, as teams look to secure early momentum and a place in the knockout rounds.

This edition of the Gulf Cup U-23 underscores the Arab Gulf Cup Federation’s commitment to youth football development, aiming to nurture a new generation of talented players capable of competing at continental and international levels.
 

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HH Shekh Joaan

Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Attends Opening Ceremony of Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games

Aichi-Nagoya -  H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), attended the Opening Ceremony of the 20th Asian Games – Aichi-Nagoya 2026, held at the Mizuho Park Athletics Stadium in Nagoya, Japan. Emperor Naruhito of Japan officially declared the Games open, in the presence of Empress Masako, Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, IOC President Kirsty Coventry, as well as a number of senior officials and sports leaders. In his address during the ceremony, H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad said that the eyes of Asia and the world are now on Japan, and that what unfolds over the coming days will inspire people across the continent and demonstrate what can be achieved when Asia comes together through sport. On behalf of the Olympic Council of Asia and all 45 National Olympic Committees, His Excellency expressed his gratitude to the Government of Japan, Aichi Prefecture, the City of Nagoya, the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Organizing Committee and the Japanese Olympic Committee for their significant efforts in organizing the Games. His Excellency praised Japan as a nation that prides itself on excellence, discipline and respect, and one that brings together ancient traditions and modern ambitions. He also highlighted Japan’s longstanding position at the forefront of world sport and its ability to rise to the challenge whenever the world has needed it. Reflecting on his personal journey with the Asian Games, H.E. Sheikh Joaan said: “We all carry our own personal journey with the Games. For me, that journey began as a torch relay ambassador at the Doha 2006 Asian Games. Twenty years later, I stand here as OCA President. And in those twenty years, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of the Games.” His Excellency concluded his address by saying: “Japan has set the stage. Now it is time for Asia to inspire the world once again.”Aichi-Nagoya 2026 brings together 11,000 male and female athletes representing 45 National Olympic Committees, competing across 43 sports and 469 events. The Games will continue until 4 October.  Arrow
HH Shekh Joaan

OCA President Sheikh Joaan visits Main Press Centre and International Broadcast Centre at Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Nagoya

Aichi-Nagoya - His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Olympic Council of Asia and President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, visited the Main Press Centre and International Broadcast Centre of the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026, accompanied by International Olympic Committee Her President Kirsty Coventry. Sheikh Joaan and President Coventry toured the various facilities and operational areas, where they were introduced to the advanced technical infrastructure, cutting-edge production services and innovative solutions being used to manage the broadcast and media coverage of the Games. They also visited the workspaces, studios and broadcasting facilities, and reviewed the services provided to media representatives and rights-holding broadcasters from across Asia and around the world, as well as the systems in place to support their work and enable them to deliver high-quality coverage of the Games. Following their tour of the International Broadcast Centre, Sheikh Joaan and President Coventry met with nine OCA young reporters at the Main Press Centre. The young reporters, selected from across the continent as part of the OCA’s “Asian Games for All” project, were warmly welcomed by Sheikh Joaan and President Coventry. During the meeting, they gained insight into more about the young reporters’ experiences covering the Games and the program’s role in developing the skills of the next generation of sports journalists by providing them with valuable hands-on experience at one of Asia’s largest sporting events. The visit formed part of the ongoing review of the media and operational arrangements for the Games and highlighted the important role of the state-of-the-art facilities in bringing Asia’s premier multi-sport event to audiences around the world. Arrow
HH Shekh Joaan

H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani holds media dialogue session at Aichi-Nagoya 2026

Aichi-Nagoya-His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Olympic Council of Asia, held a wide-ranging dialogue session with a number of media representatives covering the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026. The session addressed a range of topics related to the Games and the Olympic Movement in Asia, including the role of sport in bringing the continent’s peoples closer together and strengthening unity, as well as the importance of providing athletes and participating delegations with the best possible conditions to perform at their highest level. His Excellency also outlined the OCA’s vision for the continued development of sport across the continent and for further strengthening the Asian Games as a platform that brings together athletes from diverse cultures in a spirit of fair competition and mutual respect. The session featured an open discussion, during which the OCA President answered questions from media representatives about the Games and a number of issues related to Asian sport. He reaffirmed the OCA’s commitment to working closely with National Olympic Committees, sports federations and organising committees to serve athletes and enhance their overall experience. The session reflected the OCA’s commitment to strengthening engagement with the media, sharing its vision and strategic direction, and highlighting the important role of the media in conveying the message and values of the Asian Games to audiences across the continent and around the world. Arrow
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Aichi-Nagoya 2026 TeamQatar Volleyball

Qatar Women’s Volleyball Team Face Hong Kong

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