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20 May’ 2025
FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 and FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 draws to be held on Sunday
DOHA - The Local Organising Committee of the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 and FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 has announced that the Final Draw for both tournaments will be held in Doha on Sunday, May 25.
Taking place at the Raffles hotel, the event marks a major milestone for both tournaments, and will bring together Qatari, regional and global football legends for a star-studded ceremony.
Sixteen teams will participate in the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025, taking place from 1-18 December. Nine teams have already qualified automatically based on FIFA rankings, including defending champions Algeria and hosts Qatar. The remaining seven will be determined via play-offs that will take place in November.
The FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 will be the first 48-team FIFA World Cup tournament, with a total of 104 matches played over 25 days. The 2025 edition is the first of five consecutive editions to be hosted in Qatar through to 2029.
For all information related to the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025, FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 and other mega events hosted by Qatar, follow @RoadtoQatar on all social media platforms.
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Kuwait Claim Two Trap Gold Medals at World Shooting Championships Doha 2026
Doha (QNA) – Kuwait claimed two gold medals in the men’s individual and team trap events at the World Shooting Championships Doha 2026, held at the Lusail Shooting Range Complex. The championships, which conclude on Friday, have attracted around 1,100 shooters from 91 countries and serve as a qualification event for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.The tenth and penultimate day featured men’s and women’s individual and team trap competitions, alongside the men’s individual and team 25m centre fire pistol events.In the men’s individual trap final, Kuwait’s Abdulrahman Al Faihan secured gold after defeating India’s Vivaan Kapoor in a shoot-off. Both shooters finished the final with 29 targets, before Al Faihan hit three targets in the tie-break to Kapoor’s two. China’s Qi Ying claimed bronze with 22 targets.The three medallists also secured Olympic qualification quotas for Kuwait, India and China, respectively.Kuwait continued their success in the men’s team trap event, winning gold with a total of 356 targets. Al Faihan led the team with 121 targets, supported by Talal Al Rashidi with 119 and Khaled Al Mudhaf with 116. Poland secured silver, while Czechia claimed bronze after a tie-break involving Poland, Czechia and India, all of whom finished with 354 targets.In the women’s individual trap competition, Italy’s Jessica Rossi claimed gold with 27 targets, narrowly defeating Guatemala’s Adriana Ruano Oliva, who secured silver with 26. Daria Semianova, competing as an Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN), took bronze with 19 targets, while Italy’s Erica Sessa finished fourth with 16.The three medallists secured Olympic qualification quotas for Italy, Guatemala and, as reported by the organisers, the neutral-athlete category.Italy also dominated the women’s team trap event, winning gold with 348 targets. Rossi contributed 119 targets, alongside Erica Sessa with 117 and Silvana Maria Stanco with 112. Czechia claimed silver with 340 targets, while Türkiye secured bronze with the same total.In the men’s individual 25m centre fire pistol event, Latvia’s Ernests Erbs claimed gold with 588 points, ahead of India’s Ankur Goel, who secured silver with 583. Czechia’s Jindřich Dubový took bronze with 582 points.
Qatar Gymnastics Builds International Presence as Medal Haul Strengthens Future Ambitions
Doha (QNA) – Qatar gymnastics continues to strengthen its regional and international presence through a strategy focused on improving gymnasts’ technical standards, expanding participation in overseas competitions and giving promising athletes the experience needed to develop their abilities and prepare for major events.Team Qatar’s recent appearances have reflected this approach, culminating in an impressive haul of 14 medals at the West Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships, held in Jordan from 4 to 8 November.The achievement followed a series of international appearances by Qatar’s male and female gymnasts at continental and world events. These reflect the Qatar Gymnastics Federation’s commitment to providing opportunities to compete against athletes of varying technical standards and improve readiness through competition with leading regional and international gymnasts.Qatar were represented at the Asian Games in Japan by Rakan Al Harith, Mehrdad Ghadimi and Salma Nasser. Their international campaign continued at the 2026 Artistic Gymnastics World Championships, held in the Netherlands from 17 to 25 October, which brought together leading male and female gymnasts from around the world.Salma Nasser represented Qatar at the World Championships, gaining experience against high-level opposition while strengthening Qatar’s presence at one of the leading events on the international gymnastics calendar.Her participation formed part of the federation’s approach to providing gymnasts with progressive opportunities for technical development through exposure to different gymnastics styles and experience that contributes to improved performance.Qatar’s international participation also extended to France through the 30th Combs-la-Ville International Artistic Gymnastics Tournament, held from 31 October to 1 November, with several national teams and international clubs taking part.The Qatari delegation comprised six female gymnasts and was headed by Abeer Al Buainain, Secretary-General of the Qatar Gymnastics Federation and an international judge, alongside coaches Mark Cherylichenko and Gina Cherylichenko. The tournament provided the gymnasts with another opportunity to gain international exposure and further develop their technical and competitive experience.The West Asian Championships in Jordan marked a notable milestone in Team Qatar’s recent campaign, with Omar Al Hefnawi and Youssef Ahmed winning 14 medals between them. Their achievement reflected the progress of Qatar gymnastics in both performance and competitiveness at regional events.The significance of this participation lies in its being the result of sustained preparation, competition and exposure to different technical approaches. It also reflects efforts to develop young talent and provide an environment in which gymnasts can refine their abilities, improve their technical standards and prepare for upcoming competitions.
FIFA President Hails Qatar's Sporting Facilities Ahead of U-17 World Cup Kick-Off
Doha: FIFA President Gianni Infantino has praised Qatar's sporting infrastructure and experience in staging major international events as Doha steps up preparations to host FIFA U-17 World Cup.Speaking during an inspection visit to the Aspire Zone sports complex in Doha, Infantino said Qatar had comprehensive plans in place for the tournament and commended the readiness of its stadiums and sporting facilities.The 2026 competition will be the second of five consecutive editions hosted by Qatar, with each tournament featuring 48 national teams. The country is scheduled to host the five editions through to 2029.Ten teams have already arrived in Doha ahead of the competition. They include Saudi Arabia, Cameroon, China, New Caledonia, Honduras, New Zealand, Vietnam, South Korea, Costa Rica and Panama. The remaining participating teams are expected to arrive in the coming days.The tournament will begin on November 19, with hosts Qatar facing Panama in the opening match at Aspire Zone.The final is scheduled to take place at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on December 13.
More Teams Arrive in Doha Ahead of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026
DOHA - With less than 10 days to go until the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026, participating teams have begun arriving in Doha, Qatar. A total of 48 teams will compete for the coveted trophy across 104 matches held from 19 November to 13 December.Saudi Arabia, Cameroon, China PR, New Caledonia, Honduras, New Zealand, Vietnam, Republic of Korea, and Costa Rica, are amongst teams that have already arrived, with more making their way in the coming days.This is the second of five consecutive editions Qatar will host through 2029, featuring the expanded 48-team format introduced last year. Seven teams will make their historic debut in the competition: Greece, Montenegro, Mozambique, Romania, Serbia, Tanzania, and Vietnam. China PR will also return to the FIFA U-17 World Cup after a 21-year absence.The FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026 will take place at the Competition Complex in Aspire Zone, transforming the venue into a vibrant football hub with up to eight matches a day during the group stage and Round of 32. The tournament’s unique centralised format proved to be a success in 2025, particularly for international scouts, who were able to observe emerging talents from a single venue.Hosts Qatar will play their first match of the tournament, against Panama on Thursday, 19 November, 6:30pm in Aspire Zone. The Final will take place at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on 13 December, 7pm.All tickets are digital and are available as a Day Pass, which will enable fans to attend multiple matches a day, as well as cultural and entertainment activities at the Fan Zone, in what will be an electrifying football festival-like atmosphere. Fans can also purchase a Prime Pass, which will enable them to reserve seats for high demand matches.Disabled fans can purchase tickets by sending an e-mail to: [email protected]. For official tournament updates and ticket details, visit www.roadtoqatar.qa and follow @u17worldcupqa on social media. A total of 48 teams from across globe are set to compete for the prestigious trophy.