Team Qatar target historic World Cup qualification through playoffs

Doha:  Team Qatar are set to begin the fourth and decisive round of the AFC qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026, aiming to secure a place at the finals for the first time through qualification. Qatar previously featured in FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ as the host nation.Drawn in Group A alongside Oman and the United Arab Emirates, Qatar will host all matches in Doha from October 8 to 14 at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium. Group B includes Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Indonesia, whose matches will take place in Saudi Arabia during the same period.The six teams reached the playoff stage after finishing third and fourth in their respective groups in the previous qualification phase. The top two teams from each of the three groups — South Korea, Jordan, Iran, Uzbekistan, Japan, and Australia — already secured direct qualification to the 2026 finals in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.Each playoff group will follow a round-robin format, with every team playing two matches. The group winners will qualify directly for the World Cup, while the second-placed teams from both groups will face each other in a two-legged intercontinental playoff on November 13 and 18, with the aggregate winner advancing to the FIFA Intercontinental Playoff.Team Qatar will open their campaign against Oman on October 8, before Oman meet the UAE on October 11. Qatar will then conclude their group fixtures against the UAE on October 14.Head coach Julen Lopetegui said preparations have gone smoothly since the conclusion of the AFC Champions League West Zone matches involving Al Sadd, Al Duhail, and Al Gharafa. “Our objective is clear — to qualify for the World Cup through the playoffs for the first time in Qatar’s history,” Lopetegui stated.He acknowledged the difficulty of the task ahead, describing Oman and the UAE as strong opponents: “We must be mentally sharp and give our absolute best to reach our target. The team has shown commitment in training, and I’m confident in the group’s ability to perform under pressure.”Lopetegui also admitted that injuries have affected team selection but emphasized that the technical staff worked hard to prepare all available players. He noted that recent friendly results, including a draw with Bahrain and a loss to Russia, provided valuable insights into player performance and team balance.Concluding his remarks, Lopetegui called on fans to rally behind the national team: “The players need the support of our fans now more than ever. Their presence in the stands will give us the extra push to deliver strong performances in these decisive matches.”Among the key players in Qatar’s squad are Akram Afif, a finalist for the Asian Player of the Year 2024–2025 award, Almoez Ali, who recently returned from injury, and experienced figures such as Hassan Al Haydos and Boualem Khoukhi, whose leadership will be crucial as the team chases a historic qualification. 

Doha Welcomes Global Gymnastics Teams for Pre-World Championship Training Camps

Doha: A vibrant atmosphere of preparation and excellence fills Doha as the Qatari capital hosts a series of high-intensity training camps for several international artistic gymnastics teams gearing up for the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Indonesia later this month.Organized by the Qatar Gymnastics Federation (QGF), the camps bring together national teams from Brazil, Armenia, Syria, Jordan, and Qatar in a collective drive toward peak performance. The initiative offers athletes a valuable platform to refine their techniques, exchange expertise, and gain exposure to diverse coaching philosophies ahead of the global event.The presence of these elite teams once again highlights Doha’s reputation as a leading international sports hub, underpinned by its modern infrastructure, advanced facilities, and proven ability to deliver world-class sporting experiences. Over the years, Qatar has built a comprehensive ecosystem for athletes — combining top-tier training venues, integrated support services, and a safe, welcoming environment that makes it a preferred destination for sports preparation and competition alike.At the heart of these preparations lies the Qatar Gymnastics Training Hall, one of the most advanced facilities in the Middle East. The complex features state-of-the-art equipment, specialized fitness areas, a full medical and recovery suite, and dedicated spaces for technical meetings and coach training — ensuring athletes train under optimal professional conditions.According to the Qatar Gymnastics Federation, hosting these international camps forms part of its broader mission to strengthen global cooperation, encourage knowledge-sharing among athletes and coaches, and provide access to top-level preparation opportunities for gymnasts of all ages.This effort aligns with Qatar’s long-term vision to cement its position as a Global Capital of Sport and to reinforce its readiness to host future major events, including the 2036 Olympic Games. Through initiatives such as these, Doha continues to demonstrate its leadership in sports development, its commitment to nurturing international partnerships, and its ability to inspire the next generation of athletes around the world. 

Coll and El Hammamy Clinch QTerminals Qatar Classic Squash Titles in Doha

DOHA - World No 3 Paul Coll has become the first player from New Zealand to win the prestigious QTerminals Qatar Classic after ending a six-match losing run against World No 1 Mostafa Asal in Doha.Coll has been on the wrong end of a final result three times previously in Doha – the PSA World Championships in 2019 as well as at this tournament in 2020 and 2021.However, an immaculate performance from the 33-year-old saw him finally get his hands on a title here at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, winning 11-9, 6-11, 11-8, 11-5.It’s been a roller coaster season so far for Coll, who began the season with victory at the London Classic before suffering one of the sport’s biggest ever upsets when he lost to World No 252 Adam Hawal at the CIB Egyptian Open last month.However, he bounced back in the best possible way, turning recent history against Asal on its head. It was a measured display which saw him get up the court and hunt the volley, keeping his opponent behind him to prevent Asal from putting in one of his trademark powerhouse performances.‘The Raging Bull’ threatened a shift in momentum after winning the second game, but Coll’s accuracy and court craft were exemplary as he pulled away to secure his 30th PSA title.It’s Coll’s first major PSA title since the Hong Kong Open in December 2023. “I was on top of the world in London and then probably one of the darkest I’ve ever been after (the loss to Hawal),” said Coll.World No 2 Hania El Hammamy has made it two wins from two this season on the PSA Squash Tour after a sublime performance saw her defeat last year’s QTerminals Qatar Classic champion Nour ElSherbini in Doha in straight games.El Hammamy began her season with silverware at the CIB Egyptian Open last month, and she continued her perfect start to the 2025-26 campaign with an 11-6, 15-13, 11-8 triumph against the defending champion to win the Qatar Classic for the second time.The match was a repeat of last season’s PSA World Championships final, with El Hammamy looking to put recent history behind her following just two wins over the eight-time World Champion in their last 10 matches.The 25-year-old stormed out of the traps yesterday at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex. El Hammamy was aggressive at the front of the court and cut the ball in short, with a sluggish ElSherbini struggling to get going.After a one-sided first game went the way of El Hammamy, ElSherbini came to the party in the second game and put her fellow Egyptian under significant pressure.The World No 3 raised her level and was clinical with her attacks, initially overturning two games balls and holding the same amount of game balls herself. El Hammamy wasn’t to be denied though and her accuracy was too good for her opponent, taking three points in a row to double her lead.The third game was nip and tuck until El Hammamy started to pull away at 5-5.El Hammamy’s rapid retrieval skills and ability to nullify ElSherbini on the backhand side saw her move into an unassailable lead, and there was no stopping her from collecting her 17th PSA title.“It’s the first time I’ve won two titles back-to-back, it’s a dream start,” said El Hammamy.“I never have a very good start to the season, so it’s been memorable. I’ve never been in this position before, I’m pretty pleased and I’m enjoying myself on court. I haven’t made a lot of changes (in the off season), but I’m on the right track.”“I’m hoping (to reach World No 1 this season), but I don’t want to put expectations on myself. If I keep on improving at every tournament, then hopefully I can end as the World No 1.”

Asal to take on Coll in Qatar Classic final

Doha: World No 1 Mostafa Asal is one win away from winning a first QTerminals Qatar Classic title after downing fellow Egyptian Fares Dessouky in Friday’s semi-finals.Dessouky was appearing in his first major semi-final since May 2021 but ran into an opponent in red-hot form with Asal winning 11-4, 11-6, 11-6 in 42 minutes.Asal, who won the Egyptian Open title last month, has now reached his ninth successive PSA final and will take on World No 3 Paul Coll in final.Asal had only lost once to Dessouky in his last six matches coming into the match and he continued where he left off in front of the Great Pyramid of Giza last month.Coll hasn’t beaten Asal in their six previous matches, with their last match seeing Asal win in straight games in the semis of last season’s PSA World Championships.“Credit to Fares, he’s a good fighter and he can beat anyone when he’s on form,” said Asal. “He could be a World No.1 easily. I know how dangerous he is, so I had to put work into him in the beginning.“It will be a tough battle tomorrow and I know the crowd will be on my side tomorrow. It feels like home here and you see so many familiar faces and family friends.”Coll reached his third final in Qatar after a convincing victory over England’s rising star Jonah Bryant. Coll suffered a shock defeat to World No 252 Adam Hawal in round two of the Egyptian Open last month, but the 33-year-old has bounced back in the best possible way, with an 11-5, 11-3, 11-5 win over Bryant sending him through to a 49th PSA final.Bryant was appearing in his first Platinum semi-final after his titanic battle with Abdulla al-Tamimi was cut short yesterday due to a suspected Achilles rupture sustained by the Qatari No 1 in the decider.It followed up a hugely impressive win over World Junior Champion Mohamad Zakaria in the round prior to that, but today’s match against Coll proved a step too far for the 20-year-old.Both players train together as part of Rob Owen’s coaching stable, but Coll came out firing and dictated the tempo of the match, sapping the energy from the youngsters legs to win in three.“I wanted to make it all about me and go out there and play my game,” said Coll.“I had a big one last night but woke up feeling pretty good. I can’t think about that, I know how tough he is and what he possesses, I knew he was never going to give up, so I had to stay on it.“I’m super proud of him. He’s continuously putting in work and looking for ways to improve. He has one of the best attitudes in a young guy I’ve seen for a while, I’ve got massive respect for him.” 

Team Qatar Lose to Jordan in West Asia Women’s Volleyball Championship

Amman: Qatar’s women’s volleyball team lost 0–3 to host nation Jordan in their opening match of the 2nd West Asia Women’s Volleyball Championship, currently taking place in Amman until October 11. All matches are being played at Princess Somaya Hall in the Al Hussein Youth City complex, with participation from Qatar, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia.Team Qatar will face Iraq on Saturday in the second round, followed by a clash against Saudi Arabia on Monday. They will then meet Lebanon on Tuesday before concluding their campaign against Syria on Thursday in the fourth and final round of the group stage.This participation represents an important competitive opportunity for the Qatari players to gain experience and achieve positive results. It also allows the team to gauge their level against other national sides in the region and continue developing their performance in upcoming international tournaments. 

Qatar Volleyball Association ready to host U18 Beach Volleyball World Championships

Doha – The Qatar Volleyball Association (QVA) has finalized preparations for the U18 Beach Volleyball World Championships, set to take place at Al Gharrafa Beach Complex from October 7 to 11. The event marks a major step forward for the sport in Qatar, with 32 men’s teams and 32 women’s teams representing 55 countries scheduled to compete.The QVA President Ali Ghanem Al-Kuwari, who also leads the West Asia Volleyball Association, confirmed that the tournament will be staged on five courts—including one main stadium and four additional arenas—under the supervision of 13 international referees and 36 local officials. Speaking at the sponsorship signing ceremony, Al-Kuwari described the championship as a milestone that lays the foundation for Qatar’s future role in hosting larger global events, particularly the 2029 FIVB Volleyball World Championships.He highlighted the importance of investing in younger categories, pointing to recent breakthroughs by rising talents such as Ziyad and Mousa in the West Asia Men’s Championship as proof of the sport’s promising trajectory in Qatar.The QVA Secretary General Youssef Kanoo praised the spirit of teamwork within the organization, noting that this collective effort has driven recent successes. He expressed confidence that the upcoming championship will reflect Qatar’s ability to stage world-class sporting events.The QVA Board Member Mohammed Salem Al-Kuwari echoed this view, stressing that Qatari volleyball is progressing on both organizational and competitive fronts. He cited the seven gold medals won by national teams in recent tournaments as evidence of a solid pipeline of talent, with strong results achieved in both beach and indoor competitions.The U18 Beach Volleyball World Championships will be the first of its kind to take place in the Middle East, reinforcing Qatar’s growing reputation as a hub for international volleyball.