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Friday, February 13, 2026 | Daily Newspaper published by GPPC Doha, Qatar.

Tag Results for "2025" (303 articles)

Gulf Times
Sport

Brazil vs France showdown headlines round of 16 matches

The Round of 16 at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar promises another thrilling day, headlined by tournament heavyweights Brazil and France clashing at the Aspire Zone in Doha. Their meeting is one of the most eagerly awaited clashes of the competition, with Brazil arriving in confident mood after showing remarkable resilience — playing over 80 minutes with ten men against Paraguay before ultimately prevailing on penalties. Last edition’s runners-up France also had to work hard to overcome Colombia, and now hope to claim what would be their third victory over South American opposition at these finals. Italy enter the next stage with growing confidence following a controlled win over Czech Republc, having conceded only once so far. They now face Uzbekistan, who recovered impressively after conceding a late equaliser to Croatia, ultimately booking their place through penalties. Uganda’s remarkable debut World Cup run also continues, as they prepare for a tough all-African contest against Burkina Faso. The Burkinabe arrive with high momentum after eliminating reigning champions Germany. Coach Oscar Barro said: “Uganda have made it to the Round of 16, which shows what a quality side they are, so we need to prepare accordingly. We played them in a friendly match, but every team has changed its style and appearance since then.” **media[383124]** Mexico remain one of the most dramatic stories of the tournament, with goalkeeper Santiago Lopez scoring the decisive penalty against Argentina. They next face Portugal, whose attacking threat is led by the tournament’s top scorer, Anisio Cabral. Switzerland continue their impressive unbeaten streak at U-17 World Cups and face a confident Republic of Ireland side embracing their first-ever appearance. Switzerland coach Luigi Pisino said: “They’re a team we know well. They have an impressive system and outstanding individual talents. This is the kind of match that makes a World Cup special.” North Korea meet Japan in an all-Asian showdown featuring the creativity of Kim Yu-jin against Japan’s strong defensive unit and standout goalkeeper Shuji Muramatsu. Austria, one of the tournament’s most efficient teams, challenge an England side growing stronger with each match. After England’s win over South Korea, captain Seth Ridgeon said: “We’re building momentum and improving with each round.” Morocco complete the lineup after a dramatic late comeback against the USA, setting up an all-African battle with Mali, who advanced by defeating Zambia.

Gulf Times
Qatar

Qatar University hosts global forum on Advanced and Sustainable Materials

Qatar University (QU)’s Center for Advanced Materials (CAM) organised the International Conference on Advanced and Sustainable Materials (ICASM 2025), bringing together global leaders, researchers, industry experts, and students to explore the latest innovations shaping the future of materials science and sustainability. The event was officially opened by QU Vice-President for Research and Graduate Studies Prof Aiman Erbad, who highlighted the institution’s deep commitment to advancing sustainability and scientific excellence. “At QU, research is at the heart of our mission,” he said. “Through partnerships and innovation, we are translating scientific knowledge into real-world solutions addressing climate change, renewable energy, and resource sustainability.” Prof Erbad also announced the launch of QU’s Research Priorities 2025-2030, a framework guiding national research through five pillars; Health, Energy, Digital Technology, Resource Sustainability, and Society, aligned with the Qatar National Vision 2030. **media[382711]** In his address, Director of CAM and Conference Chair Prof Mohammad R Irshidat, welcomed participants from over 40 countries and emphasised CAM’s pivotal role in advancing research in energy materials, nanotechnology, polymers, corrosion science, and environmental sustainability. He noted the remarkable response to the conference, which received 691 registrations and 346 abstracts and features 292 posters, 197 student oral presentations, and 197 oral presentation sessions, underscoring the vibrant engagement of the materials research community. **media[382712]** All accepted high-quality papers will be considered for publication in an international journal, Emergent Materials, further extending the conference’s scientific impact. ICASM 2025 will continue over the coming days with keynote lectures, technical sessions, poster presentations, and networking opportunities designed to inspire innovation and foster global partnerships in sustainable materials research.

GWC stands today as one of the leading logistics providers in the Middle East and North Africa, offering end-to-end logistics and supply chain solutions.
Business

GWC celebrates World Quality Week, showcasing its achievements

Gulf Warehousing Company (GWC) celebrated World Quality Week 2025 on November 10-14, through a series of educational, and strategic activities highlighting the company’s achievements, with the participation of heads of Quality and Safety departments and employees across the organisation.Matthew Kearns, Acting Group Chief Executive Officer of GWC, stated: “Our celebration of this occasion reflects our commitment to applying the highest international quality standards across all our facilities, operations, and business units, a commitment that has earned GWC a wide range of ISO certifications across multiple sectors. “This ongoing pursuit of excellence enables us to enhance product and service quality, increase customer satisfaction, optimise operational costs, boost profitability, and strengthen a culture of continuous improvement, while minimising errors and risks. Quality management remains a fundamental pillar for sustainable growth in today’s evolving business environment.”The World Quality Week 2025 is a global celebration of quality organised by the Chartered Quality Institute (CQI) under the theme “Quality: Think Differently”. The event focuses on encouraging new ways of thinking about quality management to drive success and innovation.Kearns emphasised that GWC has successfully integrated quality management into its business model across all stages of its operations and activities, with the aim of achieving operational excellence and reinforcing its position as one of Qatar and the Middle East’s leading logistics companies.**media[382395]**This approach ensures the enhancement of competitive capabilities, expansion of market share, and full compliance with international and global standards. He further noted that GWC continues to make dedicated efforts to strengthen a culture of quality management among its employees, while simultaneously expanding the adoption of the latest technological innovations in the logistics and supply chain sectors.GWC stands today as one of the leading logistics providers in the Middle East and North Africa, offering end-to-end logistics and supply chain solutions. The company is also the largest privately owned entity specialising in the development of logistics hubs in the region, having built world-class infrastructure spanning over 4mn square meters to serve both domestic and international clients.GWC continues to expand its footprint and enter into management agreements for major logistics infrastructure projects. Its service portfolio covers a wide range of solutions, from supply chain management and third- and fourth-party logistics (3PL and 4PL) services, to dedicated logistics zones serving specialised industries such as oil and gas, particularly in Ras Laffan and Mesaieed Industrial City.

Morocco players train Thursday, on the eve of thier round of 32 match against USA at the U-17 World Cup.
Sport

Knockout stage opens today with eight bumper clashes

The FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 enters a decisive phase as the knockout rounds get underway today, with 16 teams ready to battle for a place in the round of 32 across two action-packed days.The drama begins with an all-African clash between Zambia and Mali. Tournament debutants Zambia have turned heads with their fearless performances, remaining unbeaten in the group stage and even holding Brazil to a draw. Mali, meanwhile, collected six points from their group and posted two clean sheets, showing their trademark defensive solidity.European heavyweights Portugal and Belgium promise goals in what could be one of the most explosive encounters of the round. Both sides averaged more than three goals per match in the groups, setting the stage for a thrilling, high-scoring showdown.Switzerland, unbeaten at the U-17 World Cup for 16 years, take on a resilient Egypt side that proved difficult to break down in the group stage. The Swiss will need to extend that proud record to reach the last eight.France meet Colombia in another standout tie. After conceding just once en route to topping Group K, Lionel Rouxel’s French side face a disciplined Colombian team that has not conceded since the opening seconds of their first match against Germany.Argentina, led by Diego Placente, who guided their U-20s to the World Cup final earlier this year, look poised for another deep run as they face Mexico. The Mexicans scraped through as the final third-placed qualifier and will be desperate to make their mark.The Ireland continue their dream debut campaign against Canada in a fixture brimming with history. The Irish topped Group J without defeat, while Canada earned their first-ever U-17 World Cup win and advanced to the knockout stage for the first time after drawing with 2023 finalists France.“We’ve only gone and made history again [just as we did with the first win]. This is a real boost for our development program. Just look at that smile. We’re going to keep working hard to make history,” Vitulano said shortly after the final whistle had been blown," said Canada head coach Mike Vitulano."We ran a training camp at U-15 level, another when they made the step up to the U-16 side, and then the final sessions were all geared towards World Cup preparation. We’ve steadily improved over time,” he said,USA, flawless so far, go up against a resurgent Morocco side. The Americans have dazzled with Cavan Sullivan leading the charge, while Morocco staged one of the tournament’s most astonishing comebacks — going from zero points and goals to a record-breaking 16-0 victory over New Caledonia that catapulted them into the last 16.Closing out the round, Brazil lock horns with Paraguay in a South American showdown. Brazil’s attacking duo, Dell and Felipe Morais, lit up the group stage with 11 unanswered goals in their first two games. But Paraguay’s disciplined defence will provide their toughest test yet as the knockout stage begins in earnest.

Gulf Times
Qatar

Qatar stresses unified efforts to preserve heritage at Arab Document Day event

Qatar participated in the 2025 Arab Document Day celebration, held at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo under the theme 'The League of Arab States: Eighty Years of Joint Arab Action.' The event was organized in coordination with the Arab Regional Branch of the International Council on Archives (ARBICA).Qatar was represented by a delegation led by Secretary-General of the National Archive of Qatar and Chair of Unesco's Memory of the World Committee for the Arab Region Dr Ahmed bin Abdullah Al-Buainain. In his address, Dr al-Buainain emphasized that the Arab document, in all its forms, is not merely a static record but a testament to the Arab people's journey, intellect, creativity, and struggle for dignity, unity, and progress. He described the celebration as a tribute to identity, memory, and collective awareness across the Arab world.He highlighted Unesco's Memory of the Arab World program as a vital initiative to safeguard documentary heritage at risk of loss and neglect. He expressed pride in the region's dedicated committee working to register documents, manuscripts, and audiovisual materials of unique historical and cultural value.**media[381446]**However, he noted that Arab participation in the program remains low, just 4% of globally registered documents, despite the region's rich contributions to history and human knowledge. He called for stronger Arab co-operation and co-ordination among national heritage institutions to close this gap. Dr al-Buainain urged support for digital documentation, preventive preservation, knowledge exchange, and capacity-building in restoration and archiving.He advocated for joint Arab nominations that reflect shared historical and cultural ties, stressing that documents not only preserve the past but also guide the present and inspire the future.He said that they can unify their efforts in this field as they have in politics, culture, history, and education, they will help preserve the Arab nation's memory within the global human heritage, calling on Arab states, archives, and national libraries to work together to ensure the Arab document remains vibrant and enduring.Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit congratulated Dr al-Buainain on his appointment as Chair of the Memory of the World Committee for the Arab Region. He underscored the committee's role in enriching the global memory register with distinctive Arab contributions and in preserving manuscripts, archives, images, and maps using modern technologies.Aboul Gheit noted that Arab Document Day stems from a key initiative launched by Alecso in the early 2000s to highlight the importance of Arab documents as pillars of national identity and historical testimony, and as essential components of Arab cultural heritage. The celebration featured a historical exhibition on the Arab League through the eyes of Arab archival institutions, showcasing notable documents related to the League, alongside honoring distinguished Arab figures for their contributions to preserving documentary heritage.

Gulf Times
Sport

FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 serves as a vibrant hub for community groups and businesses  

With the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 underway, fans were treated to a robust Fan Zone that featured a number of local businesses, artists and community groups. Located in Aspire Zone Competition Complex, where 104 matches are taking place in the biggest edition of the youth tournament to date, the Fan Zone brought together tens of thousands of fans to enjoy the football festival-like atmosphere at the venue. **media[381182]** As part of a community-focused initiative, the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 Local Organising Committee (LOC) brought on board more than 20 home-grown brands to participate at the Fan Zone, offering them free space at the venue. **media[381179]** “The U-17 World Cup is more than just a football competition. The tournament provides us with a platform to celebrate the wonderful talents in our community. From home-grown restaurants to student artists, the Fan Zone celebrated the diversity and richness of Qatari culture and the different communities that call this country home,” Hassan Al Kuwari, LOC Executive Director of Marketing, Promotion and Commercial. **media[381181]** Mama Rozie, a popular restaurant specialising in authentic Indonesian and Malaysian cuisine, is among the many food outlets who are taking part in the Fan Zone. Owner Febrariska Armen sources ingredients and partnerships locally whenever possible, collaborating with Qatari startups and local suppliers to keep the operation deeply rooted in the community. **media[381183]** "We're here because the Indonesian community is passionate about football, and the organisers recognised that. Our aim is to introduce fans to Indonesian and Malaysian culture through food, and we feel honoured to be a part of this tournament, where different cultures come together,” said Armen. **media[381180]** At the Fan Zone, Qatar Foundation (QF) is showcasing its students' diverse talents through interactive workshops and cultural performances. In addition, QF Pre-University Education has also provided a mobile sensory room, a quiet, controlled space equipped with assistive technology and specialised staff. This dedicated space ensures that fans with sensory needs, including children with autism, can fully enjoy the tournament experience. **media[381186]** "We wanted to demonstrate that community engagement means everyone," said Haia Alnaimi, Community Outreach Initiatives and Programs Manager, Special Schools and SEN Services at QF. "Our student community represents children with different abilities, and each of them are on a different path to success. This Fan Zone is the perfect platform to celebrate that diversity while building confidence amongst families that there are equal opportunities for everyone." **media[381185]** As a first-of-its-kind initiative, the Fan Zone also featured a number of local gyms that provided fans with the opportunity to take part in fitness activities. Huriya Dance, part of the Qatar-based Honor Wholeness Institute, has been engaging with spectators through dance sessions, fitness challenges and stage performances. Nada Karhani, Manager of Huriya Dance, said: "Football ignites passion in everyone, and it is through dance, that we celebrate that passion. Whether fans are cheering for their teams, waving flags, or walking through the streets, there’s a form of dance in everything - it is a universal language. That's why we are here, to channel that collective energy and create moments of pure joy that fans will remember long after the final whistle." **media[381187]** The Fan Zone also features a mini football pitch where community-based academies are competing in a U-12 tournament that mirrors the participating teams from the U-17 competition. Dozens of children have taken up the opportunity to show off their football skills as they look up to older players on their way to stardom. At the heart of the Fan Zone is a robust lineup of community-based artists and performers. A total number of 880 artists are taking part in the program, showcasing cultural and folkloric performances. The Fan Zone will continue to operate on match days only from 1:30 PM until the final whistle, as the tournament advances to the next rounds. Entertainment will take place from 4PM-8PM. Upcoming highlights include film screenings in partnership with the Doha Film Festival, running between the 14-15 November. The Round of 32 will take place on 14-15 November at the Aspire Zone. Tickets can be purchased exclusively from www.roadtoqatar.qa.

Gulf Times
Sport

In Numbers: Qatar is hosting the first 48-team FIFA World Cup

The FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 has reached the end of its group stage, which brought football fans together for a spectacular showcase of emerging talent from across the globe. Taking place at the state-of-the-art Competition Complex in Aspire Zone, this is the first FIFA World Cup to feature 48 teams, making this the biggest edition of the youth tournament in its history. The group stage featured 72 consecutive matches in nine days, which is a first for any FIFA competition, compared to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ which featured a total of 64 matches played over 29 days. A total of 250 goals were scored during the group stage. This is the first time ever a FIFA U-17 World Cup has crossed the 200-tournament goal milestone. The tournament also recorded the biggest victory in FIFA U-17 World Cup history, with Morocco’s 16-0 win over New Caledonia. **media[381043]** Amongst the top goal scorers, Czechia’s Vit Skrkon scored the first hat-trick of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 inside just seven minutes. Meanwhile, Belgium’s Rene Mitongo became the first player in this year’s tournament to register a super hat trick, scoring four goals in a 7-0 win against debutants Fiji. This is also the first FIFA World Cup to feature a knockout Round of 32. Debutants Republic of Ireland, Uganda and Zambia joined an impressive group of teams to the next round, including defending champions Germany and four-time winners Brazil. Three teams from the Arab world also qualified to the Round of 32: Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt. “Qatar has created history yet again by hosting the biggest edition of a World Cup, which showcases the country’s organisational excellence in hosting world-class sporting events, and its commitment to youth football development,” said Jassim Al Jassim, CEO of the tournament’s Local Organising Committee (LOC). **media[381046]** “Over the nine days of a thrilling group stage, we welcomed tens of thousands of football fans, transforming the tournament into a one-of-a-kind football festival. The state-of-the-art pitches at Aspire Zone have proven to be a wonderful stage for emerging talents from across the globe, many of whom will go on to be future football stars. The centralised venue format has allowed everyone – from players to journalists and fans – to be at the heart of the football action and enjoy an exceptional tournament experience,” he added. FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström has said the expanded FIFA U-17 World Cup 2025 is taking global youth football “to the next level” after witnessing the gripping climax to the group stage in Qatar. “A lot of credit goes to the Local Organising Committee, who have done a truly fantastic job. In the Aspire Zone, you can move from one pitch to another and watch eight games in a single day, it’s really something remarkable. We already had a great FIFA World Cup here in 2022, but this takes it to an entirely new level for youth football,” said the FIFA Secretary General after attending several group-stage matches. **media[381045]** “I think our Qatari hosts have done a truly fantastic job here. I take my hat off to the entire team, together with the FIFA team for their great work. From what I’ve heard, the participating teams are extremely pleased with the hotels, training facilities, and the overall pitch conditions,” said Grafström. “Having the opportunity to make use of the pitches and all the facilities built for the FIFA World Cup 2022 is truly fantastic.” Here are some key figures from Qatar hosting the historic 48-team U-17 World Cup: 1008 players competed in the group stage The tournament brought together an unprecedented number of U-17 teams from across the world to compete for the coveted trophy, providing the opportunity to young players to shine on a global stage. This year, five teams made their debut – Fiji, Republic of Ireland, Zambia, El Salvador and Uganda. 12 hotels utilised to host teams and tournament officials **media[381044]** The tournament’s unique hosting concept saw multiple teams accommodated at a single location, including a centralised dining experience at team hotels, which facilitated cultural exchange by encouraging young players to interact with each other off the pitch. Throughout the tournament, teams were also treated to a number of cultural excursions and social activities, allowing them to experience Qatar’s renowned hospitality. 364 training sessions held across 16 training pitches Teams made use of Qatar’s world-class sporting infrastructure, conducting a total of 364 training sessions across 16 training pitches. This setup resulted in up to 48 training sessions per day across all venues. Two dedicated training sites – Al Ersal and Al Thumama – provided a one-of-a-kind opportunity for young players to train in some of the same grounds that were used by some of the world’s biggest football stars during the historic FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. Teams were provided with the same level of service as senior national teams. This included training equipment and round-the-clock medical support. 8 pitches, one centralised venue All 72 matches of the group stage took place at the Competition Complex in Aspire Zone, allowing fans to be part of a spectacular football festival-like atmosphere, as they moved easily from one pitch to another. For the players, the pitches offered them an ideal playing surface, in line with the highest FIFA standards. During Qatar 2022, the pitches were used as training grounds for some of the teams taking part in the historic tournament. 1 ticket, multiple matches Fans were able to purchase tickets in the form of a day pass, allowing them to attend multiple matches a day. The group stage hosted up to eight matches a day. This unique hosting concept formed the cornerstone of the fan experience, while allowing football scouts to observe emerging talents at a single venue. A total of 130 scouts from leading football clubs around the world attended the tournament to make use of the unique compact nature of the venue. 43 buses utilised for teams and spectators The ultra compact nature of the tournament allowed players and fans to utilise Qatar’s robust public transportation network. The venue was easily accessible by the Doha Metro. A modern bus fleet, including park and ride shuttle services, enabled teams and spectators to commute at ease. This included the provision of wheelchair-accessible transportation options for disabled fans. 52,657 spectators attended group stage matches The tournament was a resounding success amongst young fans, with a large number of families and children flocking to the venue to cheer on their teams, in what is a reflection of a vibrant football culture in Qatar. Diverse communities brought the pitches to life as they came together to celebrate a common passion for the game. 3 accessibility features provided a barrier-free experience Carrying forward Qatar’s commitment to host tournaments that are accessible to all, the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 ensured disabled fans were part of the football excitement. Accessibility features at the venue included: wheelchair-accessible seating across all pitches, sensory room at the fan zone for fans with neurodivergent needs, and audio-descriptive commentary for blind and partially sighted football fans. 880 artists and performers regaled spectators at the fan zone Beyond football, the tournament was a celebration of cultural diversity, where fans were treated to a variety of traditional performances at the fan zone. The tournament served as a platform for young artists from the country, especially students, to showcase their talents to a global audience. 20 small and medium enterprises took part in the fan zone The tournament sought the participation of several home-grown brands at the fan zone, serving as a prime venue for supporting local businesses. As part of a community-focused initiative, the LOC provided a number of local businesses with free space in the fan zone. In addition to food outlets, the fan zone also featured a number of local gyms that provided fans with the opportunity to take part in fitness activities. 833 workforce were involved in tournament operations Qatar once again leveraged a multicultural workforce, comprising local and global talents, to deliver the tournament. Having gained valuable experience from hosting mega-sporting events in the country, the tournament LOC seamlessly carried out operations during the group stage. 465 volunteers supported in the delivery of the tournament Volunteers from 35 different nationalities were involved in 14 functional areas, carrying forward Qatar’s volunteering legacy in delivering mega-sporting events. The volunteers are part of the Qatar Volunteer Programme, which will see a total of 4,000 volunteers recruited for different tournaments that Qatar is set to host this year. This includes FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2025™. 5 on site clinics provided round-the-clock medical support The tournament’s official medical partner Aspetar, the globally recognised orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital, provided a total of five clinics across the venue for players and spectators. Working alongside the country’s robust national healthcare provider, Hamad General Hospital, the two entities provided emergency and medical services across the pitches. 1,153 accredited media professionals covered the group stage A fully equipped media centre at the Aspire Zone served as a crucial hub for media professionals, allowing them to be in the midst of the football action to capture stories from the pitch and highlight emerging talent. The tournament has attracted global attention for its unique hosting concept, and the exceptional talent that the young generation of players have displayed at Qatar’s world- class sporting infrastructure. The Round of 32 will take place on 14-15 November at the Aspire Zone. Tickets can be purchased exclusively from www.roadtoqatar.qa.

The award underscores Ooredoo's broader strategy to invest in AI and data analytics as a core component of its mission to redefine the future of telecommunications in Qatar.
Business

Ooredoo Qatar’s AI-powered customer experience earns AI innovation award

Ooredoo Qatar has been recognised for its outstanding leadership in leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and data science to revolutionise customer experience at ‘Teradata Possible 2025’, an AI and data conference held in the US.Ooredoo Qatar won the c in the ‘AI for Customer Experience’ category. The company’s advanced analytical capabilities and AI-powered customer engagement strategy have set a new benchmark in the telecommunications industry, earning it a top honour at the leading international AI and data conference.At the heart of Ooredoo Qatar’s achievement is its robust data ecosystem, built on Teradata Vantage Cloud and seamlessly integrated with Google Cloud Platform (GCP). By harnessing a powerful AI stack for use cases such as customer segmentation, predictive customer engagement, churn prediction, and sentiment analytics, Ooredoo Qatar has transformed its customer journeys into dynamic and personalised experiences.Ooredoo Qatar’s extensive use of data frameworks has enabled the organisation to understand its customers more deeply through behavioural analysis and to create personalised products.By operationalising AI across the organisation’s customer engagement strategy, Ooredoo Qatar continues to lead the way in delivering innovative, data-driven solutions that enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Gulf Times
Sport

Lebanon captain determined to lead his team to glory during the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025

For Mohamad Haidar, Lebanon captain and national team player, the FIFA Arab Cup carries significant importance for his nation. Now, with the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 set to take place this December, he stands a chance to lead his country further into the tournament than they've ever been before. "The first Arab Cup we played in Qatar was a wonderful experience," Haidar reflects. "We got to play on some of the world's most modern football facilities. From the moment we arrived to stepping into the stadiums for matches, it was an experience that resonated with fans globally." ‏During the 2021 edition held in Doha, Haidar captained the side through their group stage campaign, which included a 1-0 victory over Sudan. However, the team did not advance past the group stage. For Haidar, the FIFA Arab Cup 2025™ represents another shot at glory: "When the Lebanese national anthem plays, you feel emotions that transport you to your country," said Haidar. "You sense how deeply you want to defend your flag', and that drives you to achieve victories that bring joy to your people and elevate your nation's name on the global stage." Lebanon have been drawn into Group D alongside reigning champions Algeria, Iraq, and the winner of Bahrain v Djibouti.First, Lebanon will face Sudan in a crucial qualifier on 26November at Thani bin Jassim Stadium. "As a player, I give everything on the pitch. I always give my allto make our fans happy and deliver achievements that make our fans proud in front of the whole world," he explains. On the prospect of the best teams in the Arab world, Haidar said: "The Arab Cup brings together the strongest teams in Arab football but we're hungry, we're united, and we're determined to go further than we ever have. Every match is an opportunity to show what Lebanon can do." Looking ahead, Haidar emphasised the significance of the FIFA Arab Cup™ as a platform to showcase rising Arab talent on the global stage: "Every player dreams of moments like this. We've prepared hard, we believe in what we can achieve, and we're ready to fight for Lebanon on the biggest stage. When we take the field, the entire nation will be with us." The FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025™ will take place from 1-18 December with 23 teams competing to lift the coveted trophy.

Gulf Times
Sport

Qatar Grand Prix TV promo launch takes place at Souq Waqif

Lusail International Circuit (LIC) hosted the official Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix TV promo launch Tuesday during a reveal event held at its newly installed #QatarGP 360° Experience activation, at the Eastern Square in Souq Waqif. An exclusive first look of the new promotional film for the race was shown at the launch event.During the event, attendees had the opportunity to explore the #QatarGP 360° Experience. This installation allowed invitees to experience the 360° film environment for the first time, placing them right in the center of the action.The film “Where Hearts Are Racing”, is a cinematic journey exploring the timeless human pursuit of speed through the lens of Qatari heritage and culture. The film celebrates speed as a universal force that unites people across generations, bridging Qatar’s centuries-old traditions of camel racing, falconry, and equestrian mastery with the cutting-edge excitement of modern Formula 1.Through poetic narration and striking imagery, it draws a powerful connection between the grace and endurance of the past and the precision, innovation, and daring of today’s motorsport. By honoring these echoes of tradition while showcasing modern performance, the film reflects a shared human spirit: bold, connected, and always in motion, fueled by imagination, excellence, and the relentless drive to push boundaries.Fatima al-Qaedi, Marketing Manager at Lusail International Circuit said: “This promotional film beautifully captures Qatar’s deep-rooted passion for racing and speed through a contemporary cinematic lens, portraying the strong connection between Arab heritage and modernity, showcasing how speed has evolved from being a part of local culture into a universal language of ambition, determination, and excellence.The film comes as part of Lusail International Circuit’s preparations to host the Formula 1 Grand Prix, reaffirming its ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional experiences for fans and strengthening Qatar’s presence on the global sports stage.”The activation is now open for free to the public at Souq Waqif, welcoming visitors to experience the official F1 QatarGP TV promo launch through the #QatarGP 360° experience daily until November 30.It will be open from 3pm to 10pm from Sunday to Wednesday, and from 3pm to 12am on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Fans can also watch the film on LIC’s YouTube channel.The Qatar Grand Prix 2025 will take place at Lusail International Circuit from November 28 to 30. Limited tickets are available, and fans are encouraged to secure theirs quickly by visiting tickets.lcsc.qa.

Coach Elcambio Ssenyondo
Sport

Uganda makes historic appearance at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025

The FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™ marks historic firsts for five nations making their World Cup debuts: Uganda, El Salvador, Fiji, Ireland and Zambia. For these teams, the first 48-team edition of the tournament provides the ideal stage to announce themselves on the youth football landscape. Uganda's participation, in particular, represents a historic moment for the nation, as they are competing in their first-ever FIFA tournament at any level. The team secured their spot in the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™ following their qualification through the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations 2025 and a playoff victory over Gambia. "It's every teenager's dream to compete in this tournament. Football means everything to me. Whenever I step onto the pitch, I forget every problem I have. I've been playing football since I was a kid, and until now, I still love to play football. I want to go far in my footballing career to help my family and my community," said right back Elvis Torach. For Coach Elcambio Ssenyondo, leading his team in Qatar represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: "Since they were born, these young boys dream to play on the world's biggest stage, which is the U-17 World Cup. Platforms like these allow young players to showcase their talents so they can get the attention of bigger clubs. It also provides them the competitive experience necessary to progress to the highest levels of the game.” Despite falling 2-1 against Canada, the East African nation achieved a historic milestone: Uganda's first-ever goal scored at a FIFA tournament. In their second match of the tournament, the team drew 1-1 against Chile, and is now set to face France on 11 November, at 3:30pm at the Bader Bilal pitch. “Me and my teammates are not afraid of anything. We are physically and mentally prepared for any challenge coming ahead," said Torach. **media[380453]** “We are facing worthy opponents, but we have the grit, the hunger and zeal to take them on. We are here now and we want to enjoy it as far as we can,” added Coach Ssenyondo. As the first FIFA World Cup™ to feature 48 teams, this is the biggest-ever edition of the youth tournament that saw the likes of Gianluigi Buffon, Luis Figo, Xavi Hernandez, Eden Hazard, Andres Iniesta, Neymar, Ronaldinho, Son Heung-min and Francesco Totti appear on the world stage for the first time. A total of 104 matches are being contested across eight pitches in the Aspire Zone Competition Complex, culminating in the Final on 27 November at Khalifa International Stadium. This marks the first of five consecutive youth tournaments that Qatar will host through 2029. For FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™ tickets and tournament information, visit www.roadtoqatar.qa. For all tournament related updates, follow @u17worldcupqa on all major social media platforms.

Gulf Times
Sport

Crowds Help Launch Aspire Academy Fan Zone to Celebrate FIFA under-17 World Cup at the Academy Premises

More than 2,000 people attended the opening day and the second day of the Aspire Academy Fan Zone, launched as part of the festivities surrounding the ongoing FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025.**media[380440]**The Aspire Academy Fan Zone, based in Aspire Park, was officially opened by the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 mascot Boma, alongside legendary coach Bora Milutinovic, the man who inspired the tournament's owl symbol.The Serbian coach is not only the only man in history to lead five different national teams at five consecutive FIFA World Cups; he has also played a significant role in Qatar’s football development and continues to serve in an advisory role at Aspire Academy.**media[380434]**That legacy as a talent scout and mentor is reflected in Boma’s character, a wise desert owl always on the lookout for emerging talent.The Aspire Academy Fan Zone will be open daily from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m. until the day of the Under-17 World Cup final on 27 November.**media[380436]**The area will offer a fun and interactive experience for all and a chance to win prizes.Visitors will be able to put their footballing skills to the test across six exciting challenges designed to measure their power, accuracy, agility, and jumping ability—and win prizes.Aspire Academy’s Acting Marketing and Communication Director, Muneera Mohammed Hammam, said it was important for the Academy to mark such a landmark event.**media[380438]**“This FIFA Under-17 World Cup is a moment of history for Aspire Academy, as we are hosting 103 of the 104 matches at the finals,” she said.“This is the first time a single venue like ours has hosted an entire World Cup football tournament.”**media[380444]**“We are proud that all the matches are being played on Aspire Academy pitches, except November 27th’s final, which will be held at the neighbouring Khalifa International Stadium.”“Not only are we hosting this newly expanded event, but we are incredibly proud and excited that the entire Qatar squad for the tournament have been trained at Aspire Academy.”**media[380435]**“Eleven of the players are current student-athletes at the Academy, another six graduated in June, and four more are Aspire Academy-trained players.”“We want everyone coming to watch the matches to enjoy their time at Aspire Academy watching the tournament, and we want them to have some fun as they test their own footballing skills.”**media[380437]**“This Fan Zone promises to be fun for fans of all ages and offers them the chance to walk away with a prize if they can successfully complete all the challenges.”**media[380442]**The 2025 FIFA Under-17 World Cup is the first of five that Qatar will host as the event becomes annual rather than biennial.