Qatar
Aspetar to provide medical support to Qatar national team at FIFA World Cup 2026
Aspetar, Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital has announced its comprehensive medical support for the Qatar national football team as it prepares to compete in the FIFA World Cup 2026, to be held from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Acting Director General of Aspetar, Khalid Ali Al Mawlawi emphasised that supporting the national team is a core part of an integrated performance-focused approach, extending beyond treatment alone. He said: "At Aspetar, we are committed to helping our athletes achieve peak physical and mental readiness through precise scientific approaches and advanced rehabilitation programmes tailored to the demands of elite international competition.
We work closely with both technical and medical teams to support timely, well-informed decisions that balance high performance with long-term sustainability. Our support for the national team at the FIFA World Cup 2026 reflects our dedication to international best practices and our commitment to strengthening Qatar’s presence on the global stage.”
As the Qatar national team prepares for its second appearance at a FIFA World Cup, Aspetar continues to play a vital role in supporting the squad by delivering world-class medical and performance services to ensure its readiness.
The National Team Sports Medicine Unit, established at Aspetar under the National Sports Medicine Program (NSMP), provides specialised, comprehensive medical support tailored to the demands of international competition. The unit brings together a multidisciplinary team of physicians, physiotherapists, massage therapists, pitch-side rehabilitation specialists, and performance experts, all working in full coordination to safeguard players’ health and enhance performance levels.
Operating within a structured and evidence-based framework, the medical team delivers services spanning injury prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation, supported by Aspetar’s state-of-the-art medical facilities.
Throughout the qualification stages and in the lead-up to the tournament, Aspetar has maintained a continuous and proactive role in supporting the national team, ensuring the highest standards of medical care and rapid response to all health-related needs.
Director of the National Team Sports Medicine Unit at Aspetar, Riadh Miladi, said the unit is designed to provide dedicated medical care and full coverage to the national team, particularly during major tournaments.
"Aspetar’s extensive experience in elite athlete care, supported by advanced facilities and leading scientific research, enables us to manage a wide range of medical cases, from prevention to rehabilitation, ensuring that
Qatar’s players are ready at all times,” he said.
During the World Cup participating teams, including Qatar, are expected to face varied environmental conditions such as climate differences, frequent travel, and altitude changes. Aspetar’s medical team has developed tailored programmes to address these challenges, focusing on hydration strategies, heat management, post-travel recovery, and mental wellbeing to support rapid adaptation and sustained performance. Aspetar will provide integrated medical services in close coordination with its surgery, radiology, and rehabilitation departments.
Asked about Aspetar, Medical Director of the Qatar national team, Dr Ian McGuinness, said: "We fully endorses and embraces Aspetar’s mission of assisting athletes in achieving their maximum performance and full potential.
This is the crux of our role, which all National Team Medical Staff from Aspetar are completely committed to. Aspetar will provide essential back-up to us during the tournament in North America, in particular through liaison and problem-solving of complex cases with our surgical, radiology, and rehabilitation colleagues.”
He added: "This support from Aspetar will enhance our performance and contribute to the success of the team. Aspetar has been with our National Team every step of the way during this historic campaign and is a vital part of our success story.”