FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 and FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 draws to be held on Sunday

DOHA - The Local Organising Committee of the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 and FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 has announced that the Final Draw for both tournaments will be held in Doha on Sunday, May 25.Taking place at the Raffles hotel, the event marks a major milestone for both tournaments, and will bring together Qatari, regional and global football legends for a star-studded ceremony.Sixteen teams will participate in the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025, taking place from 1-18 December. Nine teams have already qualified automatically based on FIFA rankings, including defending champions Algeria and hosts Qatar. The remaining seven will be determined via play-offs that will take place in November.The FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 will be the first 48-team FIFA World Cup tournament, with a total of 104 matches played over 25 days. The 2025 edition is the first of five consecutive editions to be hosted in Qatar through to 2029.For all information related to the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025, FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 and other mega events hosted by Qatar, follow @RoadtoQatar on all social media platforms. 

Qatar’s Men’s and Women’s Beach Volleyball Teams set to Compete in the Second West Asia Tour in Jordan

DOHA  – Qatar’s national men’s and women’s beach volleyball teams are gearing up to take part in the second round of the West Asia Beach Volleyball Championship, set to take place in Jordan from May 20 to 26. The prestigious tournament brings together 13 men’s teams and 11 women’s teams from across the region.Qatar will be represented by two men’s pairs: Mahmoud Essam and Saif Al-Majid form the first team, while the second team features Mehdi Sammoud and Mohamed Ehab. The women’s national team will also field two pairs: Haya Abu Issa and Malak Hashem make up the first duo, with Aisha Alawi and Wuddan Al-Waleed forming the second.The championship promises high-octane action, with fierce competition expected in both categories. The men’s tournament will see participation from Jordan (the host nation), Qatar, Lebanon, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Oman. In the women’s category, teams from Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Yemen will battle for top honours.Participating teams have begun arriving in Amman today, ahead of the preliminary technical meeting scheduled for Wednesday. The official matches will get underway on Thursday.The Qatari delegation, led by Mohammed Anbar Al-Nasser, a member of the Beach Volleyball Committee at the Qatar Volleyball Association arrived in the Jordanian capital earlier today. The administrative and technical staff accompanying the teams includes Ghadir Youssef, team manager for the women’s squad, head coach Leonardo and his assistant Fernando, along with physiotherapist Iman Hilal.The coaching team is committed to providing optimal preparation and support to the players throughout the tournament, aiming for strong performances on Jordanian sands. 

Bronze medal for Team Qatar at Agadir International Optimist Regatta

RABAT - Rising Qatari sailor Tamim Khalid clinched a well-deserved bronze medal at the prestigious Agadir International Optimist Regatta , held in the coastal Moroccan city of Agadir with the participation of 62 young sailors representing 13 countries.Tamim delivered consistently strong performances throughout the regatta, showcasing skill, composure, and a growing mastery of the Optimist class. His podium finish marked a proud moment for Qatar's national sailing team, who held their own against a highly competitive international field.The President of the Qatar Sailing Federation, Mr. Rashid Majid Al-Sulaiti, expressed his satisfaction with the team’s overall performance. He congratulated Tamim Khalid on his bronze medal achievement and praised the entire squad for their commendable efforts and promising results throughout the championship.Al-Sulaiti emphasized his confidence in the Qatari sailors’ ability to reach greater heights in future competitions. He also extended his gratitude to the Qatar Olympic Committee for its continued and unwavering support of national sporting federations, especially the sailing federation.Meanwhile, Mr. Ali Nasser Talafat, Secretary-General of the Qatar Sailing Federation, hailed the performance of all Qatari participants in the Agadir Regatta. He gave special mention to both Tamim Khalid and Khalifa Al-Yafei, noting the remarkable progress they have made in a short span since taking up the sport, and the maturity they displayed in their races.With this bronze medal, Team Qatar continues to chart a confident course toward international excellence in sailing, buoyed by young talents and strong institutional support. 

World Champions shine at ITTF World Table Tennis Championships 2025

DOHA -  The main round of the 59th edition of the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships “Doha 2025” got underway on Monday, with fierce competition lighting up both the Lusail and Qatar University arenas.The tournament, which runs until May 25, features 640 players representing 127 countries. The competition includes 256 participants in the men’s and women’s singles events, 256 in the men’s and women’s doubles, and 128 in the mixed doubles, with a total of 443 matches scheduled.Day 3 saw intense battles in the Round of 64 for men's and women's singles, and the Round of 32 for men's, women's, and mixed doubles, as world champions, Olympic medallists, and top-ranked players fought to keep their title hopes alive.China’s Wang Chuqin, World No. 2 and a multiple-time world and Olympic gold medallist, cruised into the Round of 32 with a dominant 4–0 win over Brazil’s Leonardo Iizuka (ranked 77). The scores read 11–3, 11–3, 11–5, 11–4, showcasing the Chinese star's class and composure.In one of the biggest upsets of the tournament so far, Great Britain's Tom Jarvis (World No. 143) stunned Germany’s Dang Qiu (World No. 10) in a thrilling 4–3 contest. Jarvis took the first three games (11–9, 11–9, 11–8), but Qiu responded strongly, winning the next three (11–9, 11–1, 11–6). Jarvis held his nerve to seal the final game 11–8 and book his spot in the Round of 32.Top seed Sun Yingsha of China delivered a masterclass in her Round of 64 match, sweeping South Korea’s Byun Seong-jin (World No. 67) 4–0. A heavy favorite for the title, Sun boasts a glittering résumé, including gold medals in team and mixed doubles events at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, seven world titles, five World Cups, and three Asian Championships.Fellow Chinese star Wang Yidi (World No. 4) also progressed comfortably, defeating Amy Wang of the USA (World No. 73) 4–0.One of the standout Arab performances came from Egypt’s Hana Goda (World No. 19), who reached the Round of 32 with a 4–1 victory over Brazil’s Julia Takahashi (World No. 81). Goda will next face China’s Wang Yidi.Croatia’s Lea Rakovac advanced with a 4–2 win over Japan’s Miu Hirano, while Puerto Rico’s Adriana Diaz overcame Sweden’s Filippa Bergand 4–1 to also book her place in the next round.Top-seeded French duo Félix Lebrun and Alexis Lebrun advanced to the Round of 16 with a straightforward 3–0 win over Iran’s Amir Mahdi Keshavarzi and Benyamin Faraj.Japan’s second-seeded pair, Hiroto Shinozuka and Shunsuke Togami, defeated Hong Kong’s Kwan Man Ho and Yu Kwan To 3–1. The fourth seeds from Japan, Tomokazu Harimoto and Sora Matsushima, also progressed with a dominant 3–0 win over Austria’s Robert Gardos and Daniel Habesohn.Top seeds Satsuki Odo and Sakura Yokoi of Japan booked their spot in the Round of 16 with a 3–0 victory over Kazakhstan’s Anal Beket and Angelina Romanovskaya.They are set for an all-Japanese clash against World No. 7 pair Shin Yubin and Ryu Hanna, who overcame Hungary’s Georgina Póta and Szandra Pergel in straight games.Second-seeded Chinese duo Wang Manyu and Kuai Man also moved on with a 3–0 win over South Korea’s Cha Soo-young and Park Soo-jung.One of the tournament’s biggest surprises saw third-seeded Chinese pair Qiu Tianyi and Shan Xingtong eliminated in the Round of 32 by Germany’s Sabine Winter and Yuan Wan, who edged a tense five-game thriller 3–2.Japan’s fourth-seeded pair Miwa Harimoto and Miyuu Kihara eased into the next round with a 3–0 win over France’s Jia Nan Yuan and Prithika Pavade.China’s top-seeded mixed pair, Lin Shidong and Kuai Man, moved into the Round of 16 after defeating France’s Simon Gauzy and Prithika Pavade 3–0.Second seeds Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha also cruised past Brazil’s Hugo Calderano and Bruna Takahashi with the same scoreline.The third-seeded Chinese duo Wang Chunting and Du Hua Kim advanced with a 3–0 victory over Algeria’s Milhan Jelouli and Amina Kessassi.South Korea’s Lim Jong-hoon and Shin Yubin also reached the Round of 16, sweeping Nigeria’s Olajide Omotayo and Kibrat Ayoola 3–0.The tournament continues on Tuesday with fourth-day action featuring more Round of 64 singles clashes and Round of 16 encounters in all doubles events, promising another day of high-intensity table tennis. 

Shidong strats strong on day of upsets

Doha: The second day of the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals Doha 2025 produced spectacular action and significant upsets as the tournament continues to highlight table tennis excellence from all corners of the globe.Midway through the day, upset results sent shockwaves through the Lusail Multipurpose Hall and Qatar University venues.Among the home paddlers, Teenager Sultan Al-Kuwari battled gamely before falling 1-4 to Belgium’s world No. 82 Martin Allegro (11-9, 6-11, 6-11, 1-11, 4-11) at Qatar University Hall.Wild-card Ahmed Korani was out-gunned 0-4 by Chinese Taipei attacker Kuo Guan-Hong (7-11, 7-11, 6-11, 4-11).In the women’s draw, Maryam Ali bowed out 0-4 to Chile’s Zhiying Zeng (2-11, 7-11, 1-11, 1-11), while Aia Mohamed salvaged a single game yet succumbed 1-4 to Cuba’s Rosalba Aguiar (3-11, 7-11, 8-11, 11-7, 8-11).In mixed doubles, Mohammed Abdulwahhab/Aia Mohamed fell 0-3 to Thailand’s Thitaphat Preechayan/Kulapassr Vijitviriyagul (5-11, 6-11, 6-11), ending Qatar’s interest in the discipline.Top seed Lin Shidong of China made a powerful start to his Men’s Singles campaign, dispatching England’s Liam Pitchford 4-0 (11-9, 12-10, 11-2, 11-9) in a commanding performance that demonstrated why he’s considered the favourite for the title.In what must be considered one of the event’s most stunning upsets so far, France’s Charlotte Lutz produced a sensational performance to defeat Korea Republic’s highly-rated Lee Eunhye 4-2 (7-11, 8-11, 11-9, 11-8, 12-10, 11-8). After dropping the first two games, Lutz showed remarkable mental fortitude to win four consecutive games.The Czech Republic’s Hana Matelova delivered a clinical performance to eliminate Egypt’s 27th-seeded Dina Meshref in straight games (11-7, 11-3, 11-3, 11-7), sending a clear message that rankings count for little at this elite level of competition.The 15th-seeded Australian pair of Bae and Sareen pulled off a remarkable victory against the German combination of Franziska and Ovtcharov. The young Australians, featuring ITTF Hopes Programme alumnus Aditya Sareen, dominated proceedings with a straight games 3-0 win, highlighting the effectiveness of the ITTF development pathway.Madagascar’s Hanitra Raharimanana produced one of Day 2’s standout performances, defeating Singapore’s Loy Ming Ying in a six-game thriller. Meanwhile, Egypt’s duo of Abdelaziz and Alhodaby decisively handled Australia’s Bae and Psihogios with a commanding 3-0 victory.Japan’s teenage sensation Miwa Harimoto (5) lived up to expectations in her World Championships Finals debut, defeating Ukraine’s experienced Margaryta Pesotska 4-1. Her brother Tomokazu Harimoto (4) claimed a convincing 4-1 victory over Korea Republic’s Lim Jonghoon in their highly-anticipated clash.In one of the day’s most gripping contests, Croatia’s Hana Arapovic edged Kazakhstan’s Zauresh Akasheva 4-3 (8-11, 11-7, 11-1, 6-11, 4-11, 11-9, 11-8) in a match that showcased the fighting spirit that defines championship table tennis.European champions continue to make their mark, with Germany’s Ying Han and Sweden’s Christina Kallberg securing impressive victories. The Lebrun brothers of France survived a scare in their Men’s Doubles opener, coming from 0-2 down to win 3-2 against Spain’s Berzosa and Perez.Japan’s top-seeded Women’s Doubles pair Odo and Yokoi dominated their Ukrainian opponents, while the Harimoto/Matsushima Men’s Doubles pairing looked equally impressive in their 3-0 victory, while China’s Shi Xunyao delivered a flawless 4-0 performance against Hong Kong, China’s Lam Yee Lok. 

A Hero’s welcome for Qatar’s Junior Artistic Gymnastics Team after West Asian Championship Achievements

Team Qatar’s junior artistic gymnastics squad returned to Doha to a celebratory reception at Doha International Airport, following a landmark performance at the West Asian Gymnastics Championship, held in Amman, Jordan from 14 to 18 May.The team delivered Qatar’s best-ever showing at the event, securing a total of seven medals. Their achievements included a bronze in the team competition, a bronze in the all-around by Ahmed Sameer, and a sweep of individual apparatus medals. Sameer stood out with a gold medal on floor exercise, a silver on vault, and a bronze on rings. Yousef Ahmed added silver on floor, while Omar Al-Hefnawi claimed bronze on parallel bars, capping off a breakthrough campaign for the young squad.Greeted at the airport by Qatar Gymnastics Federation officials, the athletes were welcomed with floral garlands and applause. Family members were also present, their pride evident in smiles and heartfelt embraces. The moment captured the significance of the team’s achievement and the growing excitement surrounding the sport in Qatar.Ali Al-Hitmi, President of the Qatar Gymnastics Federation and head of the delegation, praised the athletes and staff, saying:"This result is a testament to years of careful planning, tireless effort, and belief in our athletes. It shows that Qatari gymnastics is on the right path, and that our juniors are capable of reaching the top."He went on to credit the Qatar Olympic Committee for its continuous support, highlighting its pivotal role in providing the resources and encouragement needed to advance national sports across the board.Abeer Al-Buainain, Secretary General of the Federation and an international judge, commended the players for their commitment and team spirit. She emphasized that the results reflect the unified efforts of the coaching staff, judges, and administrative personnel. “This victory means so much to us as a federation. It is the reward of collective hard work, and a sign of what’s possible when we support our young athletes with passion and purpose,” she said.Also part of the delegation were international judge Nasser Al-Hamad, coach Mohamed Ali, and gymnasts Ahmed Sameer, Omar Al-Hefnawi, Yousef Ahmed, and Fares Shadi.With this milestone, Qatar’s junior gymnastics program has taken another leap forward, laying a strong foundation for continued progress and international recognition in the years ahead.