Team Qatar Outclass UAE in Friendly Handball Game

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January 7, 2026
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7-January-2026

Team Qatar Outclass UAE in Friendly Handball Game

Doha – Team Qatar’s national handball team recorded an impressive friendly victory over the UAE, winning 39–26 in the match held today at Duhail Sports Hall. The encounter formed part of Qatar’s preparations for the 22nd Asian Men’s Handball Championship, scheduled to take place in Kuwait from January 15 to 26, and serving as a qualifier for the 2027 IHF World Championship in Germany.

The match marked the second friendly meeting between the two sides. Their first encounter ended in a 21–21 draw, with Qatar fielding a second-string squad. In today’s match, however, the Qatari team competed with its first lineup to assess readiness ahead of the continental.

According to the championship draw, Qatar has been placed in Group A alongside South Korea and Oman. Group B includes Bahrain, Iraq, China, and Jordan, while Group C features Kuwait, the UAE, Hong Kong, and India. Group D comprises Japan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Australia.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the main round, which will feature eight teams divided into two groups playing a round-robin format. The top two teams from each main-round group will qualify for the semifinals and secure direct qualification for the 2027 World Championship.

Team Qatar aims to defend its Asian title, having won the championship in the past six consecutive editions, and to qualify for the World Championship for the 11th time in its history. The team’s best-ever World Championship finish remains second place at the Qatar 2015 edition.

Qatar were crowned champions of the 21st Asian Men’s Handball Championship, held in Bahrain last year, after defeating Japan 30–24 in the final.