Qatar beat Ukraine’s FC Metalist in friendly

Austria: Qatar beat FC Metalist 1925 Kharkiv of Ukraine 2-0 in a friendly at the Sportzentrum Aug Stadium in Seekirchen am Wallersee, Austria, on Wednesday.The match was a part of Team Qatar’s preparations at their overseas camp in Austria for the forthcoming Asian Qualifiers Playoffs for FIFA World Cup 2026.

Team Qatar qualify for West Asian C’ship semis

Manama: Qatar scored a well deserved 25-17, 25-15, 25-13 win over Lebanon to qualify for the semi-finals of the West Asian Championship, being held in Manama, Bahrain, on Wednesday.The Qatar spikers delivered a distinguished performance throughout the match, clearly dominating the game.The result continues their winning streak in the tournament and strengthens ambition of winning the title of the first edition of this regional championship. Qatar had made it to the quarter-finals after topping Group B, following three consecutive wins in the group stage.They began their campaign with a 3-0 win over Saudi Arabia, followed by a 3-1 victory over Oman, before concluding the first round with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Kuwait in a highly competitive match.Qatar had topped their group with 8 points, cementing their position as one of the most prominent candidates for the title, thanks to the technical cohesion and collective brilliance the team have demonstrated throughout the tournament so far.In the other quarter-final matches, Saudi Arabia beat Jordan 3-0, while Oman also qualified for the semi-finals defeating the UAE 3-0.This is the inaugural edition of the West Asian Volleyball Championship and it was launched with the aim of promoting sporting competition among national teams in the region and raising the technical level of the game, under the supervision of the West Asian Volleyball Federation, headed by Ali Ghanem Al Kuwari.Qatar will meet Oman in the semi-final on Thursday.

Qatar Olympic Committee Announces Bid Committee Leadership for 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games

Doha, Qatar | The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) announced  the formation of the Bid Committee for the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The announcement follows the QOC’s confirmation yesterday of its official participation in Continuous Dialogue with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) regarding hosting the Games.His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, serves as Chairman of the Bid Committee, alongside Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, who serves as Vice Chairperson. Their leadership brings together a unique blend of expertise in sport, education and social development, positioning the bid to speak authentically to both local aspirations and the long-term vision of the Olympic and Paralympic Movements.His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani has served as President of the Qatar Olympic Committee since 2015. Under his leadership, Qatar has firmly established itself as a global hub for major international sporting events. His strategic vision has positioned sport not only as a vehicle for elite competition but as a pillar of national development, one that strengthens social cohesion, unlocks human potential, and drives inclusive economic and cultural progress. During his tenure, Qatar has successfully hosted numerous world championships across multiple disciplines and invested in world class infrastructure that reflects the country’s long-term commitment to excellence and sustainability in sport.Internationally, Sheikh Joaan plays an influential role within the global Olympic Movement. He serves as Senior Vice President and President for Asia of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), representing the voice and interests of the region on the world stage. As a member of the IOC’s Olympism365 Commission, he contributes to advancing sport’s role in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. His leadership in helping establish the Olympic Refuge Foundation, with the Qatar Olympic Committee as a founding partner alongside the IOC, stands as a testament to his conviction that sport can serve as a powerful force for solidarity, hope, and inclusive development both regionally and globally.Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani brings to the Bid Committee a distinguished record of leadership in education, innovation, and community development through her role at Qatar Foundation. She has led the strategic partnership between Qatar Foundation and the Qatar Olympic Committee, with a particular focus on expanding access to sport for women and girls and establishing inclusive pathways for participation and professional advancement.As a member of the IOC’s Olympic Education Commission, she is advancing the integration of Olympic values into educational and community frameworks across the region through a multilateral partnership between Qatar Foundation, Education Above All, and the IOC. She also serves as a Board Member of the FIVB Volleyball Foundation, further underscoring her commitment to broadening access to sport and supporting youth development on a global scale.The announcement of the Bid Committee reflects Qatar’s approach to hosting the Games as a comprehensive national effort. The Committee brings together expertise from across sport, education, urban planning, sustainability and civil society to ensure that the bid delivers meaningful and measurable outcomes.As the Continuous Dialogue progresses, the Bid Committee will continue to engage national stakeholders and international partners to shape a proposal that is technically strong, socially inclusive and globally relevant. The bid will reflect a unified national vision that builds on Qatar’s track record, speaks to the potential of the region and upholds the enduring values of excellence, friendship and respect that define the Olympic and Paralympic Movements. 

Qatar to host inaugural edition of FIP Asia Padel Cup in October

Doha: Qatar will host the inaugural edition of the FIP Asia Padel Cup, the continental national team tournament scheduled from October 17 to 24.The event is organised by the International Padel Federation (FIP) with the Qatar Tennis Federation (QTF) and Padel Asia, and is part of FIP’s broader project to renew and strengthen its continental championships.The tournament will unfold in two stages: the first, titled Phase 2, to run from October 17 to 19, will feature 17 teams ranked from 5th to 21st in the Asia-Oceania region, divided into four groups: (three groups of four teams and one group of five), with the top team from each group qualifying for the final stage.The second stage, titled Final 8, the top-tier phase of the competition, to take place from October 20-24, will feature the four teams that qualify in the first stage, along with the the continent’s top four ranked teams. This stage will be played at the prestigious Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex.Commenting on this, President of Padel Asia and Tournament Director Tareq Zainal said: “We are proud to host the First Edition of the FIP Asia Padel Cup in Qatar. It is a memorable moment for our continent and for the sport of padel.”“The tournament represents more than just a competition, it is a celebration of ambition and the tremendous growth of padel across Asia. As Padel Asia, we are proud to witness our shared vision come to life in Doha, a city that has embraced padel with passion and purpose,” he added.In turn, FIP President Luigi Carraro said: “The FIP Asia Padel Cup takes place in Doha, a symbolic location for padel, because it is precisely here that our beloved sport gained the scale, vision, and ambition that have brought us to where we are today. And it is from here that we will set out once again toward new goals and new achievements.”“My special thanks go to the Qatar Tennis Squash and Badminton Federation (QTF), a model of hospitality, support, and forward-thinking in organizing world-class sporting events,” Carraro added.The announcement of the FIP Asia Padel Cup confirms the increasingly central role of the Asian region in the international development strategy of padel. Following the success of two World Championships in Qatar, four editions of the Premier Padel Major, and the establishment of Padel Asia, the continent continues to position itself as a key hub for the global growth of the sport.

Confident Qatar set to take on Lebanon in West Asian Volleyball Championship Quarterfinals

Manama: Qatar’s men’s volleyball team is set to face Lebanon in the quarterfinals of the inaugural West Asian Championship on Wednesday, following a strong showing in the group stage that saw them dominate Group B.After wrapping up their final training session on Tuesday evening, the Qatari squad enters the knockout phase with momentum and high morale, having won all three of their group-stage matches. Their most recent triumph came in a thrilling five-set battle against Kuwait (3–2), which confirmed their place at the top of the group with eight points.Qatar launched their campaign with an emphatic straight-sets victory over Saudi Arabia, followed by a 3–1 win against Oman. The dramatic win over Kuwait on Monday sealed their perfect group-stage record and established them as serious title contenders.The tournament, currently being hosted in Bahrain, is the first of its kind under the West Asia Volleyball Association, led by Ali Ghanem Al-Kuwari. It aims to raise the standard of volleyball across the region and provide a new competitive platform for national teams.Among the standout performers for Team Qatar has been Bilal Abu Nabut, who emerged as the group stage’s top blocker. He registered 16 points from blocks, 11 of which came during the clash with Kuwait, underlining his key role in the team’s defensive success.As they prepare to meet Lebanon in the quarterfinals, Qatar’s players are determined to maintain their unbeaten run and take another step closer to lifting the trophy in this historic edition of the regional championship. 

Qatar Olympic Committee Confirms Participation in Dialogue Process for 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games

Doha, Qatar – 22 July 2025 | The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) has confirmed its participation in ongoing discussions with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as part of the new Host City election process for the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games.This move underscores the State of Qatar’s unwavering commitment to supporting the Olympic and Paralympic Movements and its keen interest in playing an active role in the advancement of global sport. It also highlights Qatar’s dedication to leveraging sport as a platform for fostering dialogue, promoting cross-cultural understanding, empowering individuals – especially youth. Furthermore, it affirms Qatar’s embrace of the principle of “Sport for Peace” as a cornerstone of its national vision, reinforcing the role of sport as a means to promote unity, reject division, and support global stability.On this occasion, His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee and Chair of the Bid Committee, stated:“We believe in the power of sport to bring people and cultures closer together, to empower individuals, and to unlock human potential, especially among youth. Our participation in the ongoing dialogue around hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2036 reflects a national vision that sees sport as a driver of development and a platform for promoting mutual understanding and peace among nations. We have made sport a central pillar of our national strategy, and today, we aspire to elevate that role regionally and globally by presenting a new model – one that reflects the diversity of our region and celebrates its authentic human values.” He added:“We currently have 95% of the required sports infrastructure in place to host the Games, and we have a comprehensive national plan to ensure 100% readiness of all facilities. This plan is rooted in a long-term vision aimed at building a socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable legacy. Our objective goes beyond simply organizing a successful event, we aim to deliver a global experience that reinforces the values of inclusivity, sustainability, and international collaboration.”This step aligns with Qatar’s National Vision 2030, which places human, social, and economic development at the heart of its priorities. It also supports the objectives of the Third National Development Strategy, which underscores the importance of investing in sport and culture as means through which to build vibrant communities, foster active civic engagement, and promote social cohesion and sustainable well-being.Qatar boasts a distinguished track record in hosting major international sporting events, having organized 18 World Championships over the past two decades. Among the most notable are the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ - widley regarded as the best edition in the tournament’s history – the 2015 IHF Men’s Handball World Championship, the 2019 World Athletics Championships, the 2024 World Aquatics Championships, and the 2025 World Table Tennis Championships. Qatar has also hosted major multi-sport events, most notably the 2006 Asian Games. Looking ahead, Doha is preparing to host several prestigious global events, including the ISSF World Shooting Championship 2026, the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027, and the 2030 Asian Games.The Qatar Olympic Committee emphasized that the proposed vision for hosting the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games goes beyond operational considerations. It reflects a national outlook that views sport as a platform for youth engagement, knowledge transfer, innovation, and support for environmental and social priorities - fully aligned with the aspirations of the modern Olympic Movement and the values of the State of Qatar.The Qatar Olympic Committee highlighted its extensive consultations with national and regional partners as part of its efforts to host the Games, affirming the strong alignment between on-the-ground readiness and its long-term strategic vision. It also noted that the bidding process will proceed in the coming stages in accordance with the highest standards, and in close collaboration with the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee, with the goal of presenting an exceptional bid to host this global event.The Committee also affirmed that, if Qatar is awarded the honour of hosting the Games, it would mark the first Olympic and Paralympic Games ever held in the Middle East and North Africa. This milestone would allow Qatar to present a distinctive Arab model for the Games – one rooted in diversity and openness, built on a foundation of sustainable legacy and the power of sport to inspire hope and peace. It would also strengthen regional representation and showcase the potential of Arab youth on the global stage.Doha 2036 - Official Press Kit