Qatar’s experimental line-up slips to 2–1 defeat against Zimbabwe

DOHA - Qatar slipped to a 2-1 defeat against Zimbabwe in an international friendly at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium on Monday, a match that formed an important part of Al Team Qatar ’s preparations for upcoming competitions, including the Arab Cup  FIFAQatar 2025 and their long-term build-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.Julen Lopetegui’s side, which entered the match ranked 52nd in the world and facing a Zimbabwe team ranked 129th, made a bright start. Debutant Mohammed Khaled marked his first senior appearance with an eighth-minute opener, capping a confident beginning from a largely experimental lineup.Zimbabwe responded well, however, and Munashe Peter Garananga levelled midway through the first half. The visitors then struck the decisive blow 25 minutes from time when Bill Leeroy Antonio fired home their second goal.Despite the defeat, the match delivered valuable insight for Lopetegui, who used all 22 players available and handed opportunities to several newcomers — most notably Khaled, whose early goal was a highlight of the night. The friendly also served as the latest test for a 26-man squad initially announced for the November camp, although Ahmed al-Janahi and Ahmed al-Rawi were later withdrawn due to injury and replaced by Al Wakrah striker Youssef Abdul-Razzaq.A crowd of 2,136 spectators, including several hundred Zimbabwean supporters, created a lively atmosphere as the two sides met for only the second time in history — the first having come in 2002, also won 2-1 by Zimbabwe.For Qatar, the match forms one part of a broader preparation phase ahead of the Arab Cup Qatar 2025, where they will compete in Group A alongside Tunisia and two play-off winners (Syria/South Sudan and Palestine/Libya). The friendly also provided Lopetegui with a chance to assess depth across all lines, including goalkeepers Shehab al-Laithi, Mahmoud Abu Nada and Meshaal Barsham, as well as a mix of experienced players and rising talents. 

Qatar Duo Top Group to Reach Second Round at Adelaide Beach Volleyball Worlds

Canberra - Qatar has advanced to the second round of the Beach Volleyball World Championships (Adelaide 2025) after topping its group with three straight wins.The Qatari duo of Cherif Younes and Ahmed Tijan defeated Austria 2-0 in their final group match, winning 21-12 and 22-20, to finish with a perfect record. Qatar had earlier beaten Cuba 21-14, 21-18, and Switzerland 21-15, 21-15.The tournament, held in Adelaide until November 23, features 48 men's and 48 women's teams, including Olympic champions and emerging nations. Qatar, bronze medallists at Tokyo 2020 and fourth at Paris 2024, are aiming to continue their strong run in international beach volleyball.  

Team Qatar Gears Up to Take On Zimbabwe in Monday Test Match

DOHA - The Qatar national football team will take on Zimbabwe on Monday at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium in a friendly match forming part of Qatar's preparations for the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar, which Doha will host from December 1 to 18, 2025.The match also fits into Qatar's long-term preparation plan for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Qatar secured its spot in the tournament after topping Group A of the Asian playoff competition held in Doha last month, finishing ahead of the UAE and Oman.Head coach Julen Lopetegui aims to evaluate several players before finalizing the 23-man squad for the FIFA Arab Cup, in accordance with FIFA regulations.The squad for the Zimbabwe match excludes several key players who have been central to the team in recent years, including Akram Afif, Edmilson Junior, Pedro Miguel, Boualem Khoukhi, Karim Boudiaf, and Abdulaziz Hatem. Striker Almoez Ali is also absent after undergoing surgery. The move is intended to give these players time to rest and recover following a demanding schedule with club and national team duties.The current squad features a mix of youth and experience and includes 26 players, among them three goalkeepers: Meshaal Barsham, Mahmoud Abunada, and Shehab Al Lithi. The squad also comprises Ahmed Al Janahi, Ahmed Al Rawi, Ahmed Suhail, Ahmed Fathy, Ahmed Alaa, Al Hashimi Al Hussain, Ayoub Mohammed, Tahsin Mohammed, Jassim Gaber, Khalid Ali, Khaled Mohammed, Sultan Al Brek, Tarek Salman, Assim Madibo, Lucas Mendes, Mohammed Khaled, Mohammed Muntari, Mohammed Waad, Mustafa Tarek, Nabil Irfan, Homam Al Amin, and Yousef Ayman.This international window marks Qatar’s final preparation phase before the Arab Cup. The host nation will open the tournament on December 1 at Al Bayt Stadium against the winner of the Palestine-Libya playoff.Qatar is placed in Group A with Tunisia and the winner of the Syria-South Sudan playoff.Zimbabwe, ranked 129th in the October FIFA rankings, recently played a friendly against Algeria in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where it lost 3-1.The Zimbabwean team is preparing for the Africa Cup of Nations, which Morocco will host from December 21. Zimbabwe will begin its campaign against Egypt on December 22 in Agadir in Group B, which also features South Africa and Angola.  

Qatar’s Cherif and Tijan Claim Second Victory at Beach Volleyball World Championships

AUSTRALIA - Qatar’s beach volleyball stars Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan continued their impressive run at the Beach Volleyball World Championships in Adelaide, Australia, securing their second win in Pool J today.The Olympic bronze medallists delivered a confident performance, defeating Switzerland’s Yves Haussener and Julian Friedli in straight sets, 21–15, 21–15. The victory keeps the Qatari duo at the top of their group as they head into a decisive match later today against Austria’s Timo Hammarberg and Timm Berger, which will determine the Pool J leaders.Cherif and Tijan began their campaign with a strong opening win over Cuba’s Damian Gomez and Iblaiz Ferranes, also in straight sets. A total of 48 of the world’s best teams are taking part in the championships, which continue in Australia until November 23. 

Team Qatar Power Through to Handball Semi-Finals at Islamic Solidarity Games

Riyadh - Qatar’s handball team booked their place in the semi-finals of the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games in after defeating the UAE 41–24 yesterday in their second Group A match. The victory lifts Qatar to four points and guarantees top spot in the group ahead of their final preliminary match against the Maldives tomorrow.Despite a sluggish opening 10 minutes, during which lapses in concentration allowed the Emirati side to keep pace, Qatar soon asserted control. Strong defending and swift counter-attacks saw the team pull ahead 9–5. Even after the UAE coach called a timeout, Qatar maintained their momentum, stretching the lead to 11–5.Coach Valero Rivera took advantage of the comfortable margin to rotate his lineup, but the dominance continued as Qatar pushed the gap to 15–7. The first half ended with Qatar firmly in front at 19–11.Qatar carried their rhythm into the second half, extending the lead to 23–13 before a brief dip in finishing allowed the UAE to close the gap to 24–18. Rivera responded with a timeout, which quickly restored stability.Qatar regained control and pulled away once more, leading 31–21 before widening the margin to 37–22. The UAE attempted a late push, but Qatar’s defense held firm as the team closed out a commanding 41–24 win.Qatar’s goals came from: Eldar Memisevic (7), Francis Marzo (6), Ahmed Madadi and Mohammed Hammam (5 each), Mustafa Heiba (4), Wissam Nawar, Abdulrahman Tariq and Alaa El-Din Balrashid (3 each), Abdulrazzaq Murad (2), and Amin Qahis, Wael al-Mazoughi and Jovan Gacevic (1 each).Eight teams are contesting the handball competition, with the top two from each group advancing to Wednesday’s semi-finals. Qatar won the gold medal at the previous edition in Konya, Turkey, in 2022, defeating the hosts 26–23 in the final.Team captain Ahmed Madadi praised the players’ discipline and focus. “Praise be to God for this victory, which came as a result of great concentration from all the players and adherence to the coaching plan,” he said. “Facing the UAE is never easy, but we entered determined to secure qualification. Our focus now shifts to the final rounds—our ambition is to retain the gold medal.”Qatar’s men’s and women’s 3x3 basketball teams open their campaigns today at Riyadh Boulevard.The men face Ivory Coast in their first match before meeting Turkey and Iran tomorrow. They have been drawn in Group B alongside Iran, Turkey and Ivory Coast. Group A features Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Bahrain and Egypt.The women’s team meets Algeria today before facing Iran and Egypt tomorrow. They compete in Group B with Egypt, Algeria and Iran, while Group A includes Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Ivory Coast. The top two teams from each group will qualify for Wednesday’s finals.Qatar’s men’s squad: Mohammed Absher, Mustafa Ndao, Mubarak Jama, Dejan Yanic. Women’s squad: Alia Sulaiman, Dana Al-Sayed, Mona Al-Sayed, Sama Jasser.Qatari athletes Noor Mohammed (over 70kg) and Maram Fatnasi (under 63kg) begin their taekwondo events today at the Martial Arts Hall in Prince Faisal bin Fahd Sports City.Qatar’s athletics team also begins its campaign today at the Games, which will run for four days at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Sports City track. Qatar’s participants include: 400m: Ashraf Osman, Hussein Ibrahim; 800m: Abubaker Haidar; Hammer throw: Ashraf El-Saifi, Ahmed El-Saifi; Discus: Muath Ibrahim; Shot put: Ahmed Jibril. Paralympic athlete Abdulrahman Abdulqader also competes today in the shot put.Fencing competitions open today with Qatar’s Mohammed Abdulali and Abdulrahman al-Jadra competing in the individual epee event at Riyadh Boulevard.

Team Qatar defeat Cuba in Beach Volleyball World Championship Opener

Canberra - Team Qatar opened its Beach Volleyball World Championship campaign in Adelaide, Australia with a commanding victory, defeating Cuba in straight sets in their first match today.The Qatari duo prevailed 21–18 and 21–14, taking full control of the match and setting a strong tone for the days ahead. Qatar is competing in the tournament running until November 23 among 48 teams placed in 12 groups, and has been drawn into Group 10 alongside Austria, Switzerland, and Cuba.The match proved intense from the start, with the Cuban pair pushing hard at the net. However, Qatar’s seasoned stars Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan displayed their trademark composure and international experience, allowing them to secure the first set before accelerating their dominance in the second. Their tactical precision and consistency left the Cuban duo, Gómez and Viranes, unable to keep pace as Qatar sealed its opening victory in confident fashion.Qatar will next face Switzerland tomorrow, Sunday, in its second group-stage match, before meeting Austria on Monday in what promises to be another key encounter.Mohammed Salem Al-Kuwari, Board Member of the Qatar Volleyball Association and Chairman of the Beach Volleyball Committee, praised the team’s strong start, highlighting the high level demonstrated by both sides. He emphasized that Qatar succeeded in imposing its rhythm and fully deserved the win.Al-Kuwari noted that the championship brings together the world’s elite teams and top-tier players with exceptional skills, adding that Qatar aspires to continue winning through each stage of the tournament and ultimately reach the podium.Qatar’s beach volleyball team continues to build on its international success. Over the years, the team has raised the nation’s profile on the world stage—most notably by securing the bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and finishing fourth at the Paris 2024 Olympics.This season alone, Qatar has captured eight gold medals across various international competitions, reflecting the remarkable progress and sustained excellence of Qatari beach volleyball in recent years.