Qatar Placed in Group A for Asian Men's Handball Championship

Kuwait - Qatar was drawn into Group A with South Korea and Oman for the 22nd Asian Men's Handball Championship, a qualifier for the 2027 World Championship.Group B of the tournament in Kuwait from 15–26 January includes Bahrain, Iraq, China, and Jordan; Group C features Kuwait, UAE, Hong Kong, and India; Group D includes Japan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Australia.The top two teams from each group will move on to the main round, where eight teams will compete in two round-robin groups. The leading two from each will reach the semifinals and secure spots at the 2027 World Championship in Germany.Qatar seeks to retain its Asian title, having claimed victory in the last six editions, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2024, and aims to qualify for the World Championship for the eleventh time in its history.Qatar achieved its best global result as runner-up in the 2015 World Championship held in Doha.The team secured the title in the 21st Asian Men's Handball Championship last year in Bahrain, defeating Japan 30–24 in the final. 

Team Qatar secure historic spot on path to World Cup 2026

DOHA - Qatar sealed their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a tense 2-1 victory over the United Arab Emirates in the Asian qualifying playoffs at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Tuesday night.Needing a win to progress, Julen Lopetegui’s side rose to the occasion with goals from Boualem Khoukhi and Pedro Miguel, while Sultan Adil’s late strike for the UAE set up a frantic finish.Tarek Salman was sent off in the 89th minute after a VAR review for a studs-up tackle, but Qatar held firm through 15 minutes of stoppage time to claim a famous victory in front of a packed house at the home of Al Sadd.The 2022 World Cup hosts, who did not make it out of the group stage three years ago in their first ever appearance at the tournament, were deserving winners on the night.An emotional Akram Afif, who unlocked the UAE defence on both occasions with sublime crosses, was overjoyed after the memorable victory. “It’s a great achievement to qualify for the World Cup. We gave our best and got the result we wanted. The credit goes to our incredible fans, who turned up in large numbers and motivated us in this crucial match,” he said.Veteran forward Hassan al-Haydos echoed the sentiment, saying: “This is a moment we’ve dreamed of for a long time. It was the destiny of this generation to earn a place at the World Cup. This group is capable of achieving great things.”Captain Khoukhi said: “It’s time to celebrate, and I congratulate all Qataris on this historic achievement. We really worked hard for this win — we deserved this victory.”Both sides began cautiously, aware of the high stakes — a draw would have been enough for the visitors to qualify. Qatar dominated the early exchanges, with Afif pulling the strings in attack. Mohammad al-Mannai and Almoez Ali both went close before Nicolas Gimenez tested goalkeeper Mahmud Abunada from distance at the other end.After a goalless first half, Qatar broke through almost immediately after the restart. The two-time Asian Player of the Year Afif delivered a trademark curling cross from the left, and Khoukhi rose highest to head home in the 46th minute, sending the home crowd into raptures.Qatar doubled their lead in the 74th minute when Miguel nodded in another pinpoint Afif delivery from a set piece. The UAE threw everything forward in the closing stages, and Adil pulled one back deep into stoppage time, but Abunada’s late saves preserved the win amid rising tension.The result confirmed Qatar’s direct qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico. The UAE will now enter a two-legged playoff against the Group B runners-up in November, with the winner advancing to an intercontinental playoff for one final chance to reach the finals.Qatar became the seventh Asian side to qualify for the global showpiece, joining Uzbekistan, Jordan, Iran, South Korea, Japan and Australia.

HH the Amir Meets Qatar's National Football Team

DOHA,  (QNA) - HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani met on Wednesday at the Lusail Palace with the Qatar national football team players, on the occasion of their qualification to the FIFA World Cup 2026.HH the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Thani and HH Personal Representative of HH the Amir Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al-Thani attended the meeting.At the outset of the meeting, HH the Amir congratulated the national team players and members of the administrative and technical staff on their victory and qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026, to be held in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. His Highness praised the players' outstanding performance and their football achievements, which will enhance the progress of sports and football in the State of Qatar.HH the Amir urged the players to continue their efforts and excellence, ensuring that they represent Qatar in the best possible way alongside the other Arab teams that have qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026, wishing all teams success in upcoming regional and international tournaments.Also present at the meeting HE Chief of the Amiri Diwan Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khulaifi, HE Minister of Sports and Youth Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al-Thani, HE President of the Qatar Football Association (QFA) Jassim bin Rashid Al Buainain, and a number of senior officials. 

Doha Set to Host the Historic Inaugural Asian Padel Championship “Qatar 2025”

DOHA -  The inaugural edition of the Asian Padel Championship “Qatar 2025” will officially kick off on Friday in Doha, marking a new milestone in the sport’s growth across the continent. Organized by the Qatar Padel Federation, the championship runs through October 24 at specially designed courts within the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex.The Qatar Padel Federation announced on Wednesday the completion of all preparations for this highly anticipated event, which will see participation from 17 countries in the men’s category and 14 nations in the women’s competition, a record turnout that highlights the sport’s rapid expansion and rising popularity across Asia.Team Qatar will compete in both the men’s and women’s divisions, having undergone intensive training camps and friendly matches to ensure peak readiness. The national teams aim to deliver strong performances that reflect the impressive progress of padel in Qatar , a country that has swiftly become one of Asia’s leading hubs for the sport, both in infrastructure and participation.The Federation attaches great importance to hosting this historic championship, the first of its kind in Asia, underscoring Qatar’s vision to establish itself as the region’s premier center for padel. The event also continues the nation’s remarkable track record in hosting major international tournaments, including the Qatar Major and various World Padel Tour events, which have earned widespread acclaim from global federations.In a statement, Mr. Tareq Zainal, President of the Asian Padel Federation and Secretary-General of the Qatar Padel Federation, confirmed that preparations at the Khalifa International Complex are fully complete. He noted that all facilities and courts are ready to welcome players and fans, reflecting Doha’s world-class capability in organizing major sporting events.“We are proud that Doha is the first-ever host city in the history of the Asian Padel Championship,” said Zainal. “The Qatar Padel Federation has worked tirelessly from the outset to ensure every element of success , completing all infrastructure and court preparations, and developing a comprehensive program for all participating teams to guarantee a world-class championship that befits Qatar’s sporting stature.”The tournament will feature eight dedicated padel courts, built to the highest international standards, and will host group-stage and knockout matches. Organizers have also prepared a vibrant fan zone and entertainment activities, with extensive media coverage and a strong spectator turnout expected, further enhancing the championship’s excitement and regional appeal.With Qatar’s hallmark organizational excellence and passion for innovation, the Asian Padel Championship “Qatar 2025” promises to be a landmark event that sets new benchmarks for the sport’s future across the continent.

Team Qatar to participate in Artistic Gymnastics World Championships

Doha:  The Qatari artistic gymnastics delegation departed today for Jakarta, Indonesia, to compete in the 2025 Artistic Gymnastics World Championships, scheduled to take place from October 19 to 26.This participation reflects the Qatar Gymnastics Federation’s continued commitment to ensuring a strong presence in major international tournaments and enhancing Qatar’s regional and global standing in gymnastics.The Qatari delegation includes Ali Al Hitmi, President of the Qatar Gymnastics Federation and First Vice President of the International Gymnastics Federation, Mohammed Al Maraghi, Head of Delegation, gymnast Rakan Al Harith, gymnast Salma Nasser, coaches Jürgen Sivaklen and Mohammed Al Dulaimi, administrator Samira Saeed, and physiotherapist Essam Abu Ouda.Qatar will also be represented on the judging panel, with international referee Abeer Al Buainain, Secretary General of the Qatar Gymnastics Federation, and international referee Mahmoud Al Saadi officiating in the competition — a testament to the trust and recognition earned by Qatari officials at the international level.The Qatari delegation aims to deliver a strong showing at this prestigious global event, continuing the nation’s steady progress in gymnastics and strengthening its presence among the world’s elite in the sport.

Team Qatar Duo rise to World No. 2 in Beach Volleyball Rankings

DOHA  – Qatar’s beach volleyball stars Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan have soared to second place in the latest FIVB world rankings, underscoring their growing dominance on the global stage.The Qatari duo climbed to the No. 2 spot with an impressive 7,480 ranking points, following a remarkable season marked by eight gold-medal victories across major international tournaments. Their consistent excellence continues to highlight the rapid progress and rising stature of Qatari beach volleyball in recent years.At the top of the global standings, Norway’s Christian Sørum and Anders Mol maintain their lead with 8,600 points, while the Netherlands’ Boermans and De Groot round out the top three with 7,340 points.