Sheikh Khalifa bin Khalid Praises Gymnastics Development Efforts and Athlete Progress

DOHA  – H.E. Sheikh Khalifa bin Khalid Al Thani, Director of the Sports Affairs Sector at the Qatar Olympic Committee, visited the training facility of the Qatar Gymnastics Federation as part of the Committee’s ongoing commitment to overseeing the preparation of Qatar’s national teams and supporting the continued development of the country’s sporting landscape.Upon arrival, H.E. was received by Ms. Abeer Al Buainain, Secretary General of the Qatar Gymnastics Federation, Mr. Nasser Al Hamad, the Federation’s Technical Secretary, Ms. Samira Saeed, Girls’ National Team Administrator, members of the Federation’s Technical Committee, and the coaching staff of the boys’ and girls’ national teams.During the visit, H.E. closely observed the national teams’ training sessions and was briefed on the Federation’s technical programmes, athlete development initiatives, and preparation plans designed to enhance performance levels ahead of upcoming regional and continental competitions.Sheikh Khalifa bin Khalid Al Thani commended the high standards demonstrated by the athletes, expressing his admiration for the technical quality, dedication, and professionalism displayed throughout the training sessions. He also praised the outstanding efforts of the Qatar Gymnastics Federation’s technical and administrative teams in fostering excellence and strengthening the sport’s development pathway in Qatar.The visit included discussions on the Federation’s strategic priorities, future objectives, and key requirements for the next phase of development. H.E. underscored the importance of sustained collaboration and coordination among all stakeholders to ensure an optimal training environment for Qatar’s national teams and to support the Federation’s ambitions for continued growth and success.For its part, the Qatar Gymnastics Federation expressed its appreciation for the visit, describing it as a strong source of encouragement and motivation for athletes, coaches, and administrators alike. The Federation emphasized that the visit reflects the Qatar Olympic Committee’s unwavering commitment to supporting national federations and advancing the remarkable progress being achieved by gymnastics in the State of Qatar. 

American Hurdling Star Tinch Confirmed for Doha Diamond League 110m Hurdles Showdown

DOHA – The Organizing Committee of the Wanda Diamond League today confirmed the participation of American hurdler Cordell Tinch in the men's 110m hurdles at the Doha Diamond League meeting, set to take place on Friday at the Suheim Bin Hamad Stadium track and field at Qatar SC.According to the organizers, Tinch will spearhead a highly competitive field in the 110m hurdles in what will be his third Diamond League appearance of the season following outings in the Chinese meetings of Shanghai and Xiamen last month. His presence is expected to elevate the event into one of the strongest hurdles contests of the year, given his exceptional blend of speed, power and technical excellence over the barriers.The statement noted that Tinch, who finished runner-up in Shanghai with a time of 13.10 seconds before placing fifth in Xiamen in 13.28 seconds, is aiming to adopt a more aggressive approach in Doha as he seeks valuable points in the race for the Diamond Trophy.The 25-year-old American enjoyed an outstanding 2025 campaign, winning five races and producing a remarkable time of 12.87 seconds the fourth-fastest performance in the history of the men's 110m hurdles. The achievement earned him the gold medal at the 2025 World Athletics Championships.The Doha meeting marks the seventh stop of this season's 15-leg Diamond League series. Originally scheduled for May, the event was postponed to June 19 and will feature 14 disciplines across the men's and women's categories. 

Qatar Hold Switzerland to 1-1 Draw at 2026 FIFA World Cup

San Francisco -  The Qatari team drew 1-1 with Switzerland in the match held Saturday at San Francisco Bay Arena, in the opening round of Group B in the 2026 FIFA World Cup currently taking place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.Switzerland took the lead through Breel Embolo from a penalty kick in the 17th minute, while Boualem Khoukhi snatched the equalizer for Qatar in stoppage time (90+4), earning Al Annabi their first point of the tournament in their second World Cup appearance, following their debut in the 2022 World Cup, which they hosted on home soil.With this result, all four teams in the group are level on one point each, after Canada had previously drawn with Bosnia and Herzegovina by the same scoreline.Qatar started the match brightly and nearly scored just three minutes in when Akram Afif delivered a pass that put Edmilson Junior through on goal, but the goalkeeper produced a brilliant save to deny him.Switzerland, packed with star players, controlled the match and pressed for the opening goal, earning a penalty after Dan Ndoye delivered a cross that reached Remo Freuler in front of goal, where he was fouled by goalkeeper Mahmoud Abu Nada.Breel Embolo converted the penalty successfully, putting Switzerland ahead in the 17th minute.Qatar's performance improved as they searched for the equalizer, with Youssef Abdelrazaq attempting a long-range shot that went just over the crossbar in the 27th minute.Switzerland responded through a one-on-one chance for Ruben Vargas, whose powerful shot was saved by goalkeeper Mahmoud Abu Nada in the 37th minute. Qatar nearly equalized after a clear chance from a pass by Issa Lai to Edmilson Junior, who went one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but Swiss keeper Gregor Kobel produced a superb save in the 44th minute, as the first half ended with Switzerland leading 1-0.Spanish coach Julen Lopetegui made several substitutions at the start of the second half to increase attacking numbers in midfield and boost the offensive phase, bringing on Ahmed Alaa, Karim Boudiaf, and Ahmed Fathy, with Qatar pushing higher up the pitch.On the other hand, Switzerland showed better balance by dropping deeper and relying on quick transitions, which nearly produced a second goal when Granit Xhaka fired a shot that went just wide of the post in the 62nd minute, before Abu Nada denied substitute Fabian Rieder in the 66th minute.Qatar applied heavy pressure in the final 15 minutes, with Karim Boudiaf forcing a strong shot just over the bar in the 77th minute. The Swiss defense then cut out a dangerous pass from Akram Afif to Ahmed Alaa in the 80th minute, before Alaa nearly equalized in the final minute with a low shot that was comfortably saved by the goalkeeper.In stoppage time, Qatar grabbed the equalizer after a cross from Homam Al Amin was headed powerfully into the net by Boualem Khoukhi, scoring Al Annabi's first goal of the tournament in the 90+4th minute, as the match ended 1-1.Qatar earned a valuable point, level with the rest of the group, keeping their hopes alive in the race for one of the two qualification spots to the next round ahead of their upcoming clash against Canada in the second round on the 18th of this month. 

Team Qatar To Open FIFA World Cup 2026 Campaign Against Switzerland

Doha:  Team Qatar will begin their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign, currently being held in the United States, Mexico and Canada, with a Group B clash against Switzerland at 10:00 p.m. Doha time on Saturday at San Francisco Bay Arena in the United States. The group also includes Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina.The match carries significant importance for Team Qatar, who are aiming to make a strong start in pursuit of a historic first qualification to the knockout stage. The tournament marks Qatar’s second FIFA World Cup appearance and their first through qualification, having previously participated as hosts of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.The Qatari side will be looking to secure a positive result in their opening fixture before facing Canada in Vancouver on June 18 and concluding their group-stage campaign against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Seattle on June 24.The team is expected to enjoy strong support from Qatari fans in the stands after the Qatar Football Association launched an initiative to back the national team at the World Cup. Three charter flights transported nearly 1,000 supporters from Qatar to the United States on June 9, 10 and 11 under a cooperation agreement with the Social and Sports Activities Support Fund (Daam), which financed the fan delegation programme supporting the national team throughout the tournament.Head coach Julen Lopetegui is counting on the experience within his squad, with 14 players in Qatar’s World Cup 2026 roster having also featured at FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Among them are eight to nine players who played key roles during the previous tournament, providing valuable experience on the world stage.Qatar completed extensive preparations for the World Cup through a series of training camps. The programme began with a domestic gathering in mid-May following the conclusion of players’ club commitments. The team then travelled to Dublin, where they suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to the Republic of Ireland in a friendly match, before heading to Los Angeles and drawing 0-0 with El Salvador. The squad subsequently moved into its official World Cup base at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California, where preparations continued ahead of the opening match against Switzerland.Lopetegui expressed satisfaction with the team’s preparations, particularly during the final phase, praising the players’ discipline, tactical organisation and commitment throughout the training camps.The Spanish coach noted that the changes he made during the friendly matches were a natural part of the preparation process, driven by the requirements of each opponent and the need to evaluate different options. He stressed that Qatar possesses a strong group of players and that it was important to provide opportunities to as many squad members as possible ahead of the tournament.Looking ahead to the Switzerland match, Lopetegui described the encounter as a genuine test against an experienced international side.“We will face a strong and distinguished team in Switzerland, one with extensive international experience,” he said. “It will be an important challenge for us, and we must remain focused on the technical and tactical details while preparing in the best possible way. We fully understand the importance of making a strong start.”He added: “Qatar are the reigning Asian champions, and that status brings great responsibility. We are determined to deliver a performance that reflects the reputation of Qatari football and the hard work that has gone into our preparations, as we aim to compete strongly and pursue our objective of advancing beyond the group stage.”Lopetegui’s presence at the helm is viewed as a key factor in Qatar’s ambitions of making this World Cup campaign a special one. The 59-year-old coach brings a wealth of experience from international and European football, having managed Spain between 2016 and 2018 and coached major clubs including Real Madrid, Sevilla, Porto and Wolverhampton Wanderers.Since taking charge during a challenging period marked by inconsistent results, Lopetegui has demonstrated his ability to restore tactical discipline and confidence within the squad, ultimately guiding Qatar to World Cup qualification through the Asian play-offs.Qatar’s hopes will also be boosted by the presence of star forwards Akram Afif and Almoez Ali, who have played central roles in the national team’s success over recent years. The duo helped lead Qatar to AFC Asian Cup titles in 2019 and 2023, while also sharing the tournament’s individual honours for best player and top scorer. Their experience and quality are expected to play a major role in the team’s quest to reach the knockout rounds for the first time.Based on Qatar’s preparations, the likely tactical approach for the opening match appears to prioritise defensive discipline against a formidable opponent. Lopetegui has repeatedly emphasised the importance of balance and organisation at the back as the foundation for achieving a positive result.Goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada is expected to start after featuring prominently during the warm-up matches. The defensive line is likely to include Homam Al Amin, Pedro Miguel, Khoukhi Boualem and Ayoub Al Alawi. In midfield, Jassim Jaber, Issa Laay and Ahmed Fathi are expected to feature, while Akram Afif, Edmilson Junior and Almoez Ali are projected to lead the attack. However, tactical adjustments remain possible depending on the coach’s strategy and match requirements.A positive result against a European opponent of Switzerland’s calibre would provide Qatar with a significant morale boost ahead of their matches against Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina, while also strengthening their hopes of progressing from the group. Nevertheless, the challenge will be considerable given Switzerland’s quality and determination to secure a strong start of their own.Switzerland rely on a squad packed with experience from Europe’s top leagues, led by captain Granit Xhaka, formerly of Arsenal and currently starring for Sunderland. The team also features Stade Rennais striker Breel Embolo and Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji.The Swiss side is renowned for its tactical discipline, defensive organisation and quick transitions, qualities that have made it a difficult opponent for many of the world’s leading national teams.Switzerland’s final preparations for the World Cup included a 4-1 victory over Jordan and a 1-1 draw with Australia, results that highlighted the team’s readiness for the tournament.The Swiss have appeared in each of the last five World Cups and have participated in the tournament 13 times overall. They reached the Round of 16 in South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014, Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022, underlining their consistency and ability to compete with the world’s elite.Although Switzerland have never won the World Cup, their best performances came with quarter-final appearances in 1934, 1938 and 1954.With Switzerland’s European pedigree set against Qatar’s ambition, talented generation and experienced coach, Saturday’s encounter promises to be a pivotal moment in Al Annabi’s World Cup journey. A positive result in the opening match could provide the momentum needed to fuel Qatar’s hopes of reaching the knockout stage for the first time in their history. 

Abderrahman Samba Finishes Fifth at Oslo Diamond League Meeting

Oslo: Qatar’s Abderrahman Samba secured fifth place in the men’s 400m hurdles at the Oslo Bislett Games, the sixth meeting of the 2026 Wanda Diamond League season.Samba clocked 48.40 seconds in a highly competitive race, producing a strong performance against some of the world’s leading hurdlers. The Qatari athlete started aggressively and remained among the frontrunners for much of the race before finishing fifth.The race was won by Brazil’s Alison dos Santos in 46.89 seconds, claiming his second consecutive Diamond League victory following his triumph in Stockholm. Norway’s Karsten Warholm finished second in 47.40 seconds, while American Caleb Dean took third place in 48.22 seconds.The Oslo meeting marked Samba’s second Diamond League appearance of the season after competing in Xiamen, China, as he continues his preparations for the major competitions ahead, including the Asian Games scheduled to take place in Japan later this year.Samba remains one of Qatar’s leading athletics stars and will be looking to build on his performances during the remainder of the season as he targets further success on the international stage.

Qatar Olympic Academy Concludes Olympic Movement Principles Course

Doha: The Qatar Olympic Academy concluded the five-day “Principles of the Olympic Movement in the Sports System – Management (1)” course, which attracted more than 40 participants from Qatar and abroad, further reinforcing the Academy’s position as a leading regional centre for specialized sports education.Organized as part of the Academy’s ongoing efforts to promote Olympic values and modern sports management concepts, the course was delivered in cooperation with and under the official accreditation of the International Olympic Committee’s Olympic Solidarity programme, with the participation of the International Olympic Academy. The collaboration reflects the Qatar Olympic Academy’s commitment to strengthening international partnerships and enhancing the quality of the academic and practical content offered through its 2026 educational agenda.The course forms part of the Academy’s diverse programme portfolio and serves as one of the qualifying pathways for admission to the Diploma in Sports Organizations Management, a flagship programme designed to prepare national and regional sports professionals for leadership roles within the sports sector.Through its specialized educational initiatives, the Qatar Olympic Academy continues to strengthen its reputation as a leading institution in sports education, providing programmes that respond to the needs of the sports industry and keep pace with global developments in sports management.The course aligns with the Academy’s vision of developing national capabilities and equipping participants with the knowledge and skills required to manage sports organizations effectively, supporting Qatar’s ambition to further enhance its position as a global sports hub. Participants who complete the course become eligible to pursue the Diploma in Sports Organizations Management, one of the Academy’s most prominent academic offerings.The diploma programme aims to develop future sports leaders by providing both theoretical and practical expertise in key areas including management, planning, marketing and governance.At the conclusion of the course, organizers highlighted the importance of continuing to offer such specialized programmes, which contribute to the development of the sports sector and strengthen its ability to meet future challenges. Participants were awarded accredited certificates and praised the quality of the programme and lectures, reflecting the course’s success in achieving its objectives.