tag

Scotland roared back to beat Greece 3-1 on Thursday to boost their hopes of direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup, while Cody Gakpo inspired the Netherlands to a 4-0 win in Malta.The Greeks took the lead in Glasgow early in the second period through Kostas Tsimikas, before Scotland hit back through Ryan Christie, Lewis Ferguson and Lyndon Dykes to secure a second win from three Group C qualifying matches for Steve Clarke’s side. Scotland are looking to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1998.“Massive win. We’re not naive enough to know we weren’t at our best tonight. The reaction to going 1-0 down was brilliant,” said Christie. “Two massive games – that’s one ticked off and now onto Sunday (when Scotland take on Belarus).”Tsimikas, on loan at Roma from Premier League champions Liverpool, gave Greece a deserved lead on 62 minutes as he stroked home a breaking ball from the edge of the six-yard box. But Hampden Park roared two minutes later as Christie bundled in from close range to level for the hosts – the goal finally validated after a lengthy VAR check for offside.A deflected Che Adams effort in the 75th minute bobbled narrowly wide as the home side woke up. The decisive goal came five minutes later as Ferguson opened his account for Scotland, blasting in after the Greeks failed to clear an Andy Robertson free-kick. Angus Gunn made a fine save to keep Scotland ahead in injury time, before Dykes pounced on a goalkeeping error at the other end to seal the win. Denmark top Group C, though are level on seven points with Scotland and four ahead of Greece, courtesy of a handsome 6-0 win in Belarus.Napoli striker Rasmus Hojlund continued his fine vein of form as he netted twice for the Danes. Liverpool’s Gakpo converted two spot-kicks either side of the break and set up Manchester City midfielder Tijjani Reijnders for the Netherlands’s third goal, with Memphis Depay also netting late on.A fourth win in five matches for Ronald Koeman’s side leaves them top of Group G on 13 points, three clear of second-placed Poland. Finland sit third - also on 10 points, albeit having played one match more than the Dutch and Polish - after a 2-1 win at home to Lithuania.Croatia and the Czech Republic remain locked level at the summit of Group L after playing out a goalless stalemate in Prague, however the 2018 World Cup runners-up have a game in hand. Faroe Islands secured a third win in six outings in the group, beating Montenegro 4-0 in Torshavn, to sit four points behind the pair.In Group H, Austria thumped San Marino 10-0 at home as Marko Arnautovic grabbed four goals, while Bosnia and Hercegovina drew 2-2 with Cyprus in Larnaca. Cyprus’s 97th-minute equaliser from the spot condemned Bosnia to second place in the pool, two points behind the Austrians who also have a game in hand on the Bosnians.

Oman’s only option will be victory when they face the United Arab Emirates in their Asian World Cup Playoffs Group A tie Saturday. Carlos Queiroz’s side battled to a goalless draw with Qatar on Wednesday, giving them hope of a first qualification to the FIFA World Cup should they defeat UAE at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.The steely performance against Qatar, however, did come at a cost with the influential Jameel al-Yahmadi taken off in the 24th minute after a hefty challenge and is now confirmed to be out of contention for the UAE match. Queiroz could opt to provide striker Issam al-Sabhi more support up front with Oman only managing to score in six of their 10 matches in the previous stage of the Qualifiers.The experienced Portuguese tactician is wary of the threat UAE possess but at the same time is bullish on Oman's chances of achieving victory. “It’s an important and decisive match, and our goal is to win as we did in the previous game," said Queiroz."We are aware of the value of this encounter and the opportunity to get closer to the dream of reaching the World Cup. The UAE team is strong and organised, and they will do everything to make their fans happy. We must focus fully and play with great discipline and enthusiasm to achieve victory. We must benefit from the lessons of the past, build on our strengths, and face the match step by step with confidence and great ambition. Winning this match will be an important step on our path towards World Cup qualification.”UAE head coach Cosmin Olaroiu would have picked up plenty of pointers from analysing Oman’s encounter with Qatar. The Romanian is unbeaten in the three matches he has handled since taking over from Paulo Bento, a run that included vital results in the previous phase.Olaroiu oversaw back-to-back draws with Uzbekistan and Kyrgystan in the Asian Qualifiers Group A ties that secured their spot in the Playoffs and the 56-year-old is counting on the shared desire within the team to power them to a win."I am happy that everyone has the same goal and ambition, which is to reach the World Cup," said Olaroiu. "This dream doesn't just belong to the players, but to an entire nation. All members of the UAE football system share the same dream. What we need is confidence and commitment. We have a real chance to reach the World Cup, and we must believe in it and defend it with all our might."Expected to field Sasa Ivkovic in defence with veteran Fabio Lima in attack, UAE can also look to the pace of Ali Saleh and Harib Suhail on the flanks as means to hurt Oman.Iraq and Indonesia clash in JeddahIn Jeddah, Iraq and Indonesia will lock horns in Group B of the Asian Qualifiers Playoffs Saturday with both sides needing victory to keep their FIFA World Cup dreams alive. Iraq are aiming for a long-awaited return to the global stage, while Indonesia know that anything other than a win will end their hopes.Iraq enter the tie determined to secure their second FIFA World Cup appearance, having featured in the 1986 edition in Mexico with head coach Graham Arnold confident of emulating that achievement. Their King Cup’s triumph over Thailand in September was a statement of intent and Arnold will expect Mohanad Ali, Ali Jasim and Aymen Hussein to deliver once again.With Saudi Arabia setting the early pace after their victory against Indonesia, Iraq know they have to make a winning start. “We are very excited about the game tomorrow night. Obviously World Cup qualifiers are very important and it seems like we’ve been waiting a long time. But we’re all ready to go now,” said Arnold.“I think if I have to give the team a rating out of 10 then we’re 10. Discipline from the boys has never been an issue for me, they’ve been fantastic. 100 percent. We have one training session to go and then we’re ready. The biggest positive for me has been all the players are playing a lot of football at their clubs. If I compare their fitness levels to four months ago when I first started this job they look completely different players.”For Indonesia, the fixture carries the weight of needing to end their long wait since first appearing on the global stage in 1938 as the Dutch East Indies and head coach Patrick Kluivert knows this campaign offers a chance to create history.Against Saudi Arabia, Indonesia put up a brave performance which ultimately ended in heartbreak as the hosts walked away 3-2 winners. That leaves victory Saturday as Indonesia’s only option.“The Iraqi team, we have to respect them. In the previous games they had a good result against us but the situation now is different. We need to win, that’s the only thing that we need to do,” said Kluivert.“It’s going to be very difficult, but we are brave people. We have a team that really sticks with each other, behind each other and for each other and we need to show that as well tomorrow. We played well in the game against Saudi Arabia and we will bring it on. We know the fans are standing behind us and we have to be there for them because we are representing a big country.”

Preparations are in full swing for the FIP Asia Padel Cup (Qatar 2025), set to take place from October 17 to 24, at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex.The tournament will be held in two phases. The first stage, from October 17-19, will feature 17 national teams ranked between 5th and 21st across Asia and Oceania, divided into four groups. Group winners will advance to the final stage, joining the top four ranked teams in the region for the concluding phase from October 20-24.Tariq Zainal, President of the Asian Padel Federation and Secretary-General of the Qatar Tennis, Squash, Padel, and Badminton Federation, confirmed that logistical and technical preparations are nearly complete to welcome participating teams.As part of the event's buildup, the federation announced a platinum sponsorship agreement with Qatar Rail during a press conference held on Thursday. The deal was signed by Zainal and Head of Strategy and Business Development at Qatar Rail, Ajlan Al Enazi.Zainal hailed the partnership as a strong example of collaboration between the sports sector and national institutions.Meanwhile, Al Enezi expressed pride in supporting the first edition of the championship, stating the sponsorship reflects Qatar Rail's corporate social responsibility strategy and commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles and national sporting events.He added that sport plays a vital role in community building and youth empowerment, aligning with Qatar's broader social development goals.

Qatar made their path to the 2026 World Cup more difficult after being held to a drab 0-0 draw by Oman in the opening match of the fourth round of Asia’s World Cup qualifiers Wednesday at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.It was a below-par performance from both teams, as neither Qatar nor Oman showed the urgency expected in such a crucial fixture. The result leaves Qatar and Oman tied on a point each in Group A. To stay in contention for automatic qualification, Qatar will need to defeat the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday and rely on the outcome of Saturday’s encounter between Oman and the Emiratis.Only the group winners will earn automatic qualification for next year’s World Cup, to be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States. The runners-up will advance to a playoff against the second-placed team from Group B, which is being contested in Saudi Arabia, where Iraq and Indonesia are the other sides.Akram Afif squandered Qatar’s best chance early in the second half, while substitute Mohammed Muntari failed to get enough power on his shot as a resolute Oman held firm to secure a point.Qatar coach Julen Lopetegui had spoken beforehand about the pressure his side is facing in trying to qualify for the World Cup on merit for the first time. The 2022 World Cup hosts have historically struggled in the qualifiers, and that inconsistency resurfaced last night in a disjointed display.Lopetegui, who kept his squad selection under wraps on the eve of the match, handed debuts to 20-year-old Al Gharafa defender Ayoub Aloui and 25-year-old Al Rayyan goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada. He also left strikers Almoez Ali and Muntari on the bench, opting instead to start with Ahmed al-Ganehi and Edmilson Junior in support of mercurial star Afif.The Spaniard later said his playing XI decisions were influenced by injuries in the squad. “The starting lineup was ideal given the injuries, and all the players gave their best to achieve the desired result,” Lopetegui said after the match.Qatar dominated possession in the first half, with Sultan al-Brake and Edmilson causing early problems for Oman. But it was Carlos Queiroz’s side — seeking their first-ever World Cup appearance — who had the best opportunity when a wayward backpass from al-Brake almost caught out Abunada, forcing the debutant goalkeeper to concede a throw-in under pressure from Issam al-Sabhi.Boualem Khoukhi, who captained Qatar on the night, had the first look at goal in the 13th minute, but the defender’s shot flew wide of the target. Al-Sabhi continued to be Oman’s biggest threat, skipping past his marker with a neat turn in the 27th minute before seeing his powerful left-footed effort comfortably saved by Abunada.Qatar almost capitalised six minutes later when Mohammed al-Mannai slipped a clever ball through to Afif, who tried to catch Oman napping, but goalkeeper Ibrahim al-Rushaidi was alert to the danger and made a solid intervention.Nasser al-Rawahi came close for Oman, glancing a header just over the bar from a corner, while Qatar’s best effort before the break came from Afif, whose shot was easily dealt with by the Omani defence.Afif should have put the hosts ahead soon after the interval when the visitors gifted him possession inside their own half, but the Asian Player of the Year uncharacteristically side-footed wide of the post.Oman nearly punished Qatar in the 69th minute when Abunada rushed off his line to clear a cross, leaving his goal momentarily exposed, but Abdullah Fawaz’s long-range attempt failed to find the target. Almoez was introduced in the 57th minute for al-Ganehi, while Muntari also had a chance in the added time, but both could not inspire Qatar to victory as the teams settled for a share of the spoils.After the match, Lopetegui remained defiant, insisting his team had done enough to win. “We performed well throughout the match against a stubborn team that defended well and closed down spaces. Despite that, we created several opportunities but couldn’t convert them into goals,” the former Spain and Real Madrid coach said.“We will continue to pursue our dream of qualifying for the World Cup. Today’s draw against Oman hasn’t negatively impacted the team or added pressure ahead of the UAE match,” he added.Oman coach Carlos Queiroz — who previously had a brief stint with Qatar — was satisfied to take home a point. “We performed well and managed to stop Qatar’s attacks, which we expected given they were playing at home,” the Portuguese veteran said.“We knew the match would be tough, so we played with high spirit. Despite our solid defence, we also created chances but couldn’t score. A draw is the best result for both teams today. A loss would have hurt our chances of World Cup qualification. We don’t have much time before facing the UAE, but we’ll prepare well to keep our World Cup dream alive,” he added.

The Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) is once again set to bring the region’s karting scene into the spotlight as it will host the MENA Karting Championship Nations Cup 2025 at Lusail Karting Circuit from October 21–25, 2025. Following the resounding success of its inaugural edition in 2023 and its return in 2024, this year’s championship promises to deliver an even bigger showcase of regional motorsport talent.The championship will feature more than 150 drivers from 18 nations across the Middle East and North Africa, with competitors representing countries including Qatar, Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mauritania, Morocco, Iran, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Drivers will compete across six Rotax Max Challenge categories — Micro Max (ages 8–11), Mini Max (ages 10–13), Junior Max (ages 12–15), Senior Max (ages 14+), DD2 (ages 15+), and DD2 Masters (ages 31+) — alongside the R390 Sprint and R390 Endurance categories open to drivers aged 15 and above.The action-packed schedule will see administration and driver briefings open on 21 October, with practice sessions held across October 22 and 23, alongside a formal Welcome Ceremony and Gala Dinner. Racing will then take center stage from October 24–25, featuring qualifying sessions, heats, the R390 Endurance race, Pre-Finals, and Finals, culminating with the Championship Awards and MENA Nations Cup Presentation on the evening of October 25.Spectators are invited to enjoy all the high-octane action with free admission throughout the event. A dedicated shuttle service will operate between General Admission Parking and the karting track, while visitors can also experience a vibrant entertainment zone with racing simulators, a radio-controlled car circuit, PlayStation 5 gaming stations, and a 360-degree photo booth. For fans unable to attend in person, all races will be streamed live on QMMF’s official YouTube channel.Last year’s edition saw Lebanon claim the MENA Nations Cup title, with Morocco finishing second and the UAE securing third place, highlighting the depth of talent across the region. With the bar set high in 2024, this year’s championship is poised to deliver another thrilling weekend of racing and national pride.

Mohamed Salah wants to put a disappointing start to his season with Liverpool behind him Wednesday and help Egypt beat Djibouti and qualify for the 2026 World Cup.A win for the record seven-time African champions over one of the lowest ranked teams in the continent will give them an unassailable lead over second-placed Burkina Faso in Group A with one match to spare.A two-time African Footballer of the Year, Salah has lost his spark with the Premier League champions, scoring just three goals in nine appearances in all competitions this season. Last season, the 33-year-old netted 29 times in 38 league matches to win the Golden Boot award as Liverpool surged to a record-equalling 20th Premier League title.Salah has fond memories of playing against Djibouti, scoring four goals in a 6-0 Cairo romp in the opening round of World Cup qualifying two years ago.It does not help Djibouti that they do not have a FIFA-approved stadium, so their ‘home’ match against Egypt will be staged in the Moroccan commercial capital Casablanca.Three subsequent goals took Salah to seven in the qualifying campaign, one less than chart-topper Denis Bouanga of Gabon with two rounds remaining.Fellow Egypt forward Mostafa Mohamed, who plays for French Ligue 1 outfit Nantes, is not concerned about Salah, telling reporters the lack of goals is “a temporary setback”.“Mo is a big star, and we are lucky to have him in our team. He is the best player in the history of Egypt,” he told the FIFA website.“He is amazing. For me, he has a great personality. I love him a lot. He is a wonderful player,” added Mohamed, who also scored against Djibouti.Egypt coach Hossam Hassan has an embarrassment of attacking riches, Apart from Salah and Mohamed, he can call on Omar Marmoush, Mahmoud ‘Trezeguet’ Hassan and Ahmed ‘Zizo’ Sayed.Given Djibouti have lost seven of eight qualifiers and lie 158 places below Egypt in the FIFA rankings, it would be a shock if they prevent the Pharaohs sealing a fourth World Cup appearance.Algeria set to qualifyAlgeria and Cape Verde are the other two countries who can clinch places at the World Cup with matchday nine victories, and join already-qualified Morocco and Tunisia in North and Central America next year.Senegal, reigning African champions Ivory Coast and Ghana could also take unassailable leads, but they must win and hope other group results favour them.Group C, where Benin lead South Africa on goal difference and Nigeria and Rwanda are three points behind, is the one section where a qualifier cannot emerge before the final round, starting on Sunday.Like Egypt, Algeria can qualify if they secure maximum points against a much lower ranked opponent. The Desert Foxes have the added advantage of playing an ‘away’ Group G match against Somalia at home.Security concerns prevent Somalia staging matches in Mogadishu, and a 163-place rankings gap behind Algeria demonstrates the difficult challenge facing the Ocean Stars in Oran on Thursday.Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic has called up for the first time Luca Zidane, a 27-year-old goalkeeper with Spanish second-tier club Granada and son of French great Zinedine Zidane.Luca, who qualifies for Algeria because his paternal grandparents were born there, has switched international allegiance after representing France at youth levels.Algeria are seeking a fifth appearance at the global showpiece, while Cape Verde are hoping to qualify for the first time. They face Libya in Tripoli on Wednesday.A former Portuguese colony, Cape Verde is a group of islands off the west coast with about 550,000 inhabitants.Qualification would make them the African country with the smallest population to do so.Even if the Cape Verdeans fail in Libya, they will get a second chance on Monday to collect three points needed to finish above Cameroon when they host bottom team Eswatini in Group D.Ghana will win Group I Wednesday if they beat the Central African Republic and Madagascar do not collect maximum points against the Comoros.Senegal can qualify from Group B if they win in South Sudan on Friday and the Democratic Republic of Congo fail to win in Togo.Ivory Coast, who last featured at a World Cup in 2014, would return if they win away to the Seychelles and Gabon lose to the Gambia.Failure to win a group does not spell the end of the road, though. The four best-ranked runners-up enter African play-offs in November from which the winners go to intercontinental play-offs in March.

Qatar head coach Julen Lopetegui has underlined the high stakes and intense pressure surrounding his side’s upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup play-off match against Oman, which will be played Wednesday at 6pm Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Al Sadd.The Group A encounter marks the opening round of the fourth stage of the AFC Asian Qualifiers, with the United Arab Emirates also part of the group with matches to be played in a single round-robin format. Group B hosts Saudi Arabia will have Iraq and Indonesia for company.Only the group winner is guaranteed automatic qualification to the next year’s World Cup, which will be co-hosted by USA, Canada and Mexico. A final qualifying chance is available to the runners-up of each group, who will square off in a two-legged showdown across November 13 and 18. This Knockout Stage will determine the Asian representative at the FIFA Play-Off Tournament, where they will have to fend off opponents from other confederations to claim one of two berths.Speaking at a press conference ahead of the match, Lopetegui stressed the importance of mental focus and readiness in this critical stage. “We are heading into a decisive and pivotal stage with two crucial matches requiring the highest levels of mental preparedness,” said the Spanish coach, who took charge of the team in May.The former Spain and Real Madrid manager acknowledged the strength of the Omani side, now led by veteran Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz, who had a brief stint with Qatar as well.“We will face a strong Omani team, whom we know well and respect, under the leadership of a great coach in Carlos Queiroz. Our goal is to achieve the dream of reaching the World Cup, which will only be achieved by exerting our utmost effort.”While optimistic, Lopetegui made it clear that Qatar’s lineup for the match is not yet finalised, citing ongoing assessments of player fitness and readiness. “We have many different situations, and we must wait until tomorrow to determine the full readiness of the players before selecting the ideal lineup for the first match,” he said.Qatar, who are still finding their rhythm under Lopetegui, will be hoping for a strong start after an uneven run of results — including losses to Lebanon and Russia, and a 2-2 draw with Bahrain in friendlies. Almoez Ali is expected to lead the attack, with creative duties falling to star forward Akram Afif.Lopetegui remained firm in his belief that the squad has what it takes to rise to the occasion — if they channel their focus and energy effectively. “It is important for the players to work hard to achieve this dream. We must work to demonstrate the required balance in order to perform optimally in both matches and harness all our positive energy to achieve victory,” the Spaniard said.Players’ morale is high, says KhoukhiVeteran defender Boualem Khoukhi echoed his coach’s sentiments and emphasised the team’s preparation and determination to start the campaign with a win.“We are ready for the match, which will not be easy. The players' morale is high, and we seek to demonstrate a high degree of focus to achieve victory,” he said.The experienced centre-back acknowledged the challenge posed by Oman but stressed that the players are aware of what’s at stake. “We realise the importance of the two matches, and our focus will now be on the match against Oman. The fans' presence will be a great motivator and incentive for the players to achieve victory and secure our first three points.”With expectations running high and only limited opportunities in the group stage, Boualem made a direct appeal to the supporters and vowed that the team is ready to deliver. “The ball is in the players' court, and we are expecting a large turnout from our fans, and God willing, we will not disappoint.”Oman, meanwhile, will look to continue their progression under Carlos Queiroz. In-form striker Issam al-Sabhi, who scored twice in their most recent win over Qatar during the 2024 Gulf Cup, will be key to their attacking hopes.

Kylian Mbappe is receiving treatment for a "small niggle" in his right ankle after meeting up with his international team-mates ahead of the latest round of 2026 World Cup qualifiers, France coach Didier Deschamps said Monday.The France captain sustained the knock at the end of Real Madrid's 3-1 La Liga victory over Villarreal on Saturday, casting doubts over his availability to the national team for their upcoming qualifying matches against Azerbaijan and Iceland."I spoke with Kylian, he had a small niggle but it's not serious, otherwise he wouldn't be here today," Deschamps told reporters at the French team's Clairefontaine base near Paris."We will take the time with the medical staff to assess the situation and then see how it develops."Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate also underwent tests, after coming off injured in the Reds' 2-1 defeat at Chelsea on Saturday.The pair received treatment on Monday during training and are set to continue treatment on Tuesday, according to the French national team's coaching staff.The French football federation (FFF) also confirmed Paris Saint-Germain forward Bradley Barcola would be sent home from Clairefontaine due to a hamstring injury."After consulting with the French national team doctor... (Barcola) has been diagnosed with a chronic injury to his right hamstring since Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League match against Atalanta (on September 17)," the FFF said.PSG then publicly rejected the diagnosis of the 23-year-old by France's medical team."The information published in this statement does not correspond in any way to the medical information provided by Paris Saint-Germain's medical teams," the club posted on social media."Prior to the gathering (at Clairefontaine) and following the Ligue 1 matchday 7 fixture against Lille, Paris Saint-Germain provided the French national team with a medical report on Bradley Barcola that made no mention of any chronic injury following the match against Atalanta."The attacker played 60 minutes of PSG's Ligue 1 draw at Lille on Sunday before being replaced, showing no apparent signs of injury during the encounter.Should Barcola end up facing time on the sidelines, he would be a further addition to PSG's lengthy injury list which already includes fellow France forwards Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue, as well as Marquinhos, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Fabian Ruiz and Joao Neves.Last month there was friction between the two parties after PSG criticised the French national team staff following injuries suffered by Dembele and Doue during France's opening Group D win over Ukraine.Les Bleus are top of their group with two wins from two so far in qualifying. They host Azerbaijan on Friday at PSG's Parc des Princes stadium before travelling to Iceland three days later.

Qatar have intensified their preparations for two crucial matches that will decide their fate in the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as they prepare to host Oman and the United Arab Emirates at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Al Sadd.Al Annabi will open their campaign against Oman tomorrow, before facing the UAE on October 14, with Oman and the UAE meeting in between on October 11. The group winner will qualify directly for the World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada next year. The runner-up will face the second-placed team from Group B — which includes Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Indonesia — in a two-legged play-off on November 13 and 18, with the winner advancing to the intercontinental play-off.Of the three sides in Group A, only Qatar and the UAE have appeared at the World Cup — Qatar making their debut as hosts in 2022, while the UAE’s sole appearance came in 1990. Oman are still seeking their first-ever qualification.Oman will hope to repeat their 2–1 victory over Qatar in last year’s Gulf Cup — their first win in 11 meetings since 2009. But Qatar, buoyed by the home crowd and the confidence of being back-to-back Asian Cup winners, will aim for a strong start. All matches will be played in Doha, giving the reigning Asian champions a clear home advantage as they target back-to-back qualifications, albeit first time on merit.Qatar topped their group in the second round of qualifying with 16 points, finishing ahead of Kuwait, India and Afghanistan. However, they struggled in the third round, ending fourth in Group A behind Iran, Uzbekistan and the UAE. Iran and Uzbekistan secured direct qualification, while Qatar and the UAE dropped into the play-offs.Qatar appointed Julen Lopetegui, the former Spain and Real Madrid coach, in May following his departure from West Ham United. Tasked with guiding Al Annabi back to the World Cup, Lopetegui has faced challenges, particularly in defence, and will need to manage pressure carefully in these decisive fixtures.Several former players have expressed confidence in Qatar’s chances. Former national team and Al Sadd forward Hassan Mattar told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that a strong start against Oman is crucial for building momentum and confidence. “Victory in the opening match will be a major step toward qualification,” Mattar said. “It will help the players settle early and give them belief ahead of the UAE clash.”He acknowledged that Qatar fell short of expectations in the previous qualifying round but said hosting the play-off stage in Doha provides a chance to reset. “This is the ideal opportunity for the team to get back on track,” he added. “Experience will be vital — these matches demand focus, discipline, and a fighting spirit. Small details often decide games at this level.”Mattar also called on the team to minimise errors and make full use of home support, saying the players’ mental and physical readiness will be key to achieving the desired results.Another former international, Abdulaziz Hassan, expressed optimism that Qatar’s current squad has the experience to handle pressure and the attacking firepower to make a difference. “Playing at home will give the players a strong push,” he said. “This group includes quality players like Akram Afif, Almoez Ali and Edmilson — players who can decide matches in key moments.”Hassan cautioned that Qatar must avoid complacency, noting the group is evenly matched. “The levels of Qatar, Oman and the UAE are quite close,” he said. “Every point matters — especially in the first game against Oman, which could shape the path to qualification.”

For the third consecutive year, the legendary Al Ghadeer produced a breathtaking performance to retain the Group 1 PA Qatar Arabian World Cup crown on the final day of Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp Sunday, reaffirming his dominance in Purebred Arabian racingOwned by Al Shaqab Racing, trained by Francois Rohaut and ridden by Christophe Soumillon — his partner in both previous triumphs — the brilliant six-year-old once again proved untouchable on the biggest stage. Al Ghadeer now stands on the brink of an unprecedented third consecutive Doha Triple Crown, chasing the very record he set by winning it twice before.Following the race, HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani crowned HE Sheikh Hamad bin Joaan al-Thani with the Group 1 PA Qatar Arabian World Cup trophy, in the presence of HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee and Hamad bin Abdulrahman al-Attiyah, Chairman of Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club (QREC), marking a fitting conclusion to the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend.HH Sheikh Abdullah also crowned the winners of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Group 1). The ceremony was attended by HE Sheikh Ali bin Jassim al-Thani, Ambassador of of Qatar to France and Guillaume de Saint Seine, Chairman of France Galop.The iconic race was won by three-year-old Daryz, representing Aga Khan Studs Sc., who produced a magnificent performance under the direction of trainer Francis-Henri Graffard and a superb ride by Mickael Barzalona. Achieving the greatest victory of his young career – which began only in April – Daryz earned his place among the elite names in the history of the World’s Best Horse RaceThe meeting also featured seven additional races, including four more Group 1 contests. Among those presenting the trophies were HE Sheikh Ali bin Jassim al-Thani, Ambassador of Qatar to France, who crowned the winners of the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (Group 1); QREC Chairman al-Attiyah, who awarded the winners of the Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac (Group 1); Abdulrahman bin Mansour al-Mansoori, QREC Board Member, who crowned the winners of the Qatar Prix de la Foret (Gr1); and Rashid bin Saed Adiba, Head of the QREC Racing Operations Section, who crowned the winners of the Qatar Prix de la Place de l'Etoile.Historic hat-trick for Al Ghadeer in the Qatar Arabian World Cup (Gr1 PA)Al Ghadeer (Al Mourtajez x Gharraa) once again demonstrated his unrivalled dominance in the Purebred Arabian ranks with a spectacular victory in the Group 1 (PA) Qatar Arabian World Cup over 2000m.The race, featuring a field of 12 of the world’s best Arabians, is the richest and most prestigious contest for the breed, and Al Ghadeer confirmed his status as the undisputed champion.The six-year-old superstar secured his 11th career Group 1 (PA) title. This success also marked a third consecutive Group 1 victory on the card for jockey Soumillon, who earlier guided Diamond Necklace and Puerto Rico to top-level success, completing a remarkable treble on Arc Day.In a race led by Joe Star (Al Mourtajez), as usual setting the pace, Al Ghadeer was restrained from his wide draw to settle at the rear, positioned just behind his main rival HM Alchahine (Al Mourtajez). The tempo was strong but even, and Al Ghadeer travelled comfortably three wide on the best ground, always within striking distance of the leaders.Third last in the false straight but still travelling powerfully, he continued to track HM Alchahine, who moved wide turning for home. Travelling noticeably best of all, Soumillon bided his time before switching his mount to the outside for a clear run. Inside the final 300m, Al Ghadeer drifted slightly left but responded instantly once Soumillon switched his whip to the left hand, showing an excellent turn of foot to surge past and assert his superiority. He stayed on strongly to win by three-quarters of a length from HM Alchahine, with RB Mary Lylah (Al Mourtajez) finishing a clear third.Daryz Triumphs in the Group 1 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de TriompheDaryz, a three-year-old colt, produced a stunning performance to capture the Group 1 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, stepping up to 2400m for the first time and proving his class in Europe’s most prestigious race in a 17 runners race. Trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, ridden by Mickael Barzalona, and owned & bred by Aga Khan Studs SC, Daryz delivered a memorable victory, marking a first Arc success for both trainer and jockey.A Group 2 winner, Daryz came into this race on the back of an excellent second to Croix Du Nord (Kitasan Black) in the Gr.2 Qatar Prix Niel, confirming his credentials at the highest level. His powerful finishing kick and composure in a top-class field showed he is a colt of exceptional quality and stamina. He’s now a Gr.1 & Arc winner.Broke well and soon settled in a good spot behind the favourite Minnie Hauk (Frankel) on the inside rail, Daryz was briefly restrained to midfield but remained in touch as the field found their positions. Entering the home straight, he improved quickly into second, still shadowing Minnie Hauk, who had just taken the lead and drifted slightly wide to start her challenge. Inside the final 200 metres, Daryz was still a good second, but with his rival looking resolute in front. However, inside the last 100 metres, the colt found another gear, quickening impressively to join the favourite, and after a thrilling head-to-head battle, Daryz proved the stronger, winning by a head. Minnie Hauk held on for second, while Sosie (Sea The Stars) stayed on well to take third.Diamond Necklace Shines Bright in the Gr.1 Qatar Prix Marcel BoussacDiamond Necklace (St Mark’s Basilica), a classy 2-year-old filly, produced a dazzling display to capture the Group 1 Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac over 1600m, a race for 2-year-old fillies only that brought together a field of eight runners. The Coolmore filly confirmed herself as one of the leading juveniles of the season with a brilliant and determined performance.Trained by Aidan O’Brien, ridden by Christophe Soumillon, and carrying the M Tabor & D Smith & Mrs J Magnier & Westerberg colours, Diamond Necklace continues her rapid rise through the ranks and becomes a Group 1 winner on only her third career start. She came into this race following an impressive Listed victory at Leopardstown, and once again showed class, maturity, and determination at the highest level.Puerto Rico Takes the Group 1 Qatar Prix Jean-Luc LagarderePuerto Rico (Wootton Bassett), a talented 2-year-old colt, continued his rapid progression with a brilliant victory in the Group 1 Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere over 1400m, a race for 2-year-old colts only that brought together a field of nine runners.Trained by Aidan O’Brien, ridden by Christophe Soumillon, and owned by Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith, Puerto Rico produced a good performance to claim his first Gr.1 success. He completed a Group 1 double on the card for both trainer and jockey, following their earlier victory in the Prix Marcel Boussac with Diamond Necklace.Maranoa Charlie Dominates the Prix de la ForetMaranoa Charlie (Wootton Bassett) confirmed his brilliance with a commanding front-running performance to take the Group 1 Prix de la Foret over 1400m at ParisLongchamp. The race, open to 3-year-olds and up, featured a field of 16 and produced a decisive victory for the progressive colt.Trained by Christopher Head, ridden by Aurelien Lemaître, and owned by Bond Thoroughbred Limited, the 3-year-old colt displayed both speed and toughness to secure his first success at the highest level.Asfoora Flies to Victory in the Group 1 Prix de l’Abbaye de LongchampAsfoora (Flying Artie), the brilliant 7-year-old mare, showcased her trademark speed and determination with a dazzling win in the Group 1 Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp, run over 1000m. The sprint attracted a field of 19 runners, bringing together some of the fastest horses in Europe. Trained by Henry Dwyer, ridden by Oisin Murphy, and owned by Noor Elaine Farm Pty Ltd, the Australian sprinter bounced back in style after a below-par performance in a Group 1.Barnavara Shines Bright in the Gr.1 Prix de l’OpéraBarnavara (Calyx), a talented 3-year-old filly, produced a thrilling front-running display to land the Group 1 Prix de l’Opéra over 2000m, a race for 3-year-old and older fillies and mares which attracted a field of 12. Trained by Jessica Harrington, ridden by Shane Foley, and owned by Alpha Racing, the filly continues her remarkable rise through the ranks.Qatar’s Enduring Partnership: A legacy of vision and excellenceAs the curtain fell on the 2025 renewal of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend in Paris, Qatar’s long-standing sponsorship once again proves to be much more than a support for a sporting event. It stands as a model of strategic partnership and sporting vision.The collaboration between the QREC and France Galop, which began in 2008, has become one of the cornerstones of this world-renowned meeting. Over the years, it has delivered far-reaching benefits, particularly in strengthening the presence of Purebred Arabian racing on Europe’s and the world premier stages. This integration has become a defining feature of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend, where the Qatar Arabian World Cup continues to capture worldwide attention. Staged immediately before the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, the race attracts immense interest and has evolved into one of the most anticipated moments of the entire weekend.The Qatari sponsorship has also given rise to the prestigious Doha Triple Crown, a visionary initiative that encourages international competition among owners and trainers of Purebred Arabians. The series connects three elite races — the Qatar International Stakes at Goodwood, the Qatar Arabian World Cup at ParisLongchamp, and the HH The Amir Sword at Al Rayyan— with special recognition for any horse capable of winning all three.Winning the Triple Crown is a challenge that only truly exceptional champions can meet — as Ebraz, owned by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al-Thani, first proved in 2020. Yet Al Ghadeer took this achievement to unprecedented heights, completing the treble for the second consecutive year and looks well prepared and very close to complete the treble – a feat that underscores his extraordinary consistency and class at the very highest level.

The Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) has put the finishing touches to a challenging three-day route for the Qatar International Baja, taking place on November 6th-8th. The event is the seventh round of the FIA World Baja Cup, round three of the FIA Middle East Baja Cup and the sixth and penultimate round of the FIM Bajas World Cup. The iconic ‘Way to the World Cup’ landmark on Doha Corniche will be the backdrop for start and finish formalities for the first time. With a reputation as being one of the most demanding Baja events on the international calendar, the event offers tricky navigation, varied desert terrain and a mixture of gravel, rocky and sandy surfaces to ensure that drivers, navigators and riders are fully focused from the outset. Running under the chairmanship of QMMF President Abdulrahman Al-Mannai, QMMF’s Executive Director Amro Al-Hamad and board member Abdulrazaq Al-Kuwari, the event runs to a traditional Baja-type format with a short Prologue determining the starting order for the first of two stages in a total route of 773.83km through the Qatar desert. Administration and technical scrutineering will be based at the Lusail International Circuit on Tuesday, November 4th and Wednesday, November 5th. The circuit will also host the pre-event press conference at 18.00hrs on November 5th. Competitors will then tackle the opening Prologue of 10.66km, located 31.51km from the Lusail International Circuit, from 12.30hrs (first car 13.45hrs) on Thursday, November 6th. Teams and members of the media will then transfer to Doha for the ceremonial start by the ‘Way to the World Cup’ landmark from 18.20hrs (bikes) and 19.00hrs (cars). In a route devised by Clerk of the Course Pedro Almeida, his deputy Rashid Al-Sulaiti and their team, the opening stage on Friday, November 7th will be split into three timed parts of 67.38km, 32.32km and 118.55km by a pair of non-competitive neutralisation sections. The first bike starts the stage at 07.45hrs (first car - 09.40hrs) with all competitors tackling the same stage. Second stage action on Saturday, November 8th will be split into five timed sections of 35.14km, 12.05km, 33.35km, 39.95km and 108.31km by four neutralisations. The first bike will be live on stage at 07.15hrs (first car - 09.10hrs). The stage will finish in the spectacular dunes of the Sealine area of southern Qatar for the first time since the event replaced the Qatar Cross-Country Rally in 2022. Competitors will then return to the Doha Corniche and the ‘Way to the World Cup’ landmark for the post-event press conference (19.30hrs) and the podium ceremony and prize giving from 20.00hrs. The Baja is now an established event in the FIA and FIM calendars. The X-Raid Mini JCW Rally 3.01 crew of Denis Krotov and Konstantin Zhiltsov are the defending champions in the FIA Ultimate category. Last year, Anja Van Loon and Floor Maten prevailed in the Challenger section in a Can-Am Maverick X3, João Ferreira and Filipe Palmeiro topped the SSV standings in a Can-Am XRS Turbo RR and Abdullah Al-Rabban and Hassan Ali Obaid guided a Nissan Patrol to Stock honours. Emirati Mohammed Al-Balooshi (KTM) recorded his second win in four years on two wheels and Saudi Arabia’s Hani Al-Noumesi (Yamaha) won the quad class. Entries close at reduced rates on October 8th with a final cut-off set for October 22nd. Full details on the generous concessions being offered by the QMMF are available in the event’s Supplementary Regulations. Entrants in the FIA categories from the GCC will be offered a shipping allowance of $3,000, with international entrants receiving $6,000. Flight ticket allowances extend to $800 per GCC crew and $1,600 for overseas competitors. FIM entrants will receive $1,500 and $3,000 for shipping, respectively, and $400 or $800 towards air travel. Accommodation in a twin room for five nights with breakfast is available to FIA and FIM competitors, in addition to 5000 QAR start money for entries received before the first cut-off (2500 QAR – FIM) and 4000 QAR (2000 QAR – FIM) thereafter until the closure date. For further event information, competitors and teams can contact Davy Patterson, Competitor Liaison Officer (CRO), Email: [email protected] and WhatsApp: +44 7980 613944. For general information about the 2025 Qatar International Baja, contact the Qatar Motor and Motor Cycle Federation (QMMF), P.O. Box 8708, Doha, Qatar, Tel: + 974 443 79885, Fax: + 974 443 79732, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] and www.qmmf.com

Asian champions Qatar will compete against Oman and the UAE in the play-off tournament of the FIFA World Cup 26 Asian qualifiers to secure a spot in the global event that will be hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.Taking place at Doha's Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Group A matches will include a game between Qatar and Oman on October 8, followed by a match between Oman and the UAE on October 11, and will conclude with a game between Qatar and the UAE on October 14.Similarly, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Indonesia will compete against one another in the Group B matches that will be played in Saudi Arabia during the same period.The playoff matches will be held in a single round-robin format, with each team playing two games within their group. The top team in each group will qualify directly for the FIFA World Cup 26, while second-place teams will face each other in a two-legged inter-group playoff on November 13 and 18, with the winner then moving on to the intercontinental playoff.Qatar began their final preparation phase right after three local clubs: Al Sadd, Al Duhail, and Al Gharafa completed their participation in the second round of the AFC Champions League Elite: West.In statements to the press, Qatar's Spanish head coach Julen Lopetegui said that preparations went in an ideal manner and that the team will seek to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 26 despite the challenge of having to face two strong opponents: Oman and the UAE.He added that it is imperative that all team members maintain their mental focus and put in their maximum effort in persuit of the desired goal.Lopetegui said the fact that team Qatar are the champions of the last two editions of the AFC Asian Cup is a source of great pride, yet in football past achievements do not mean much when it comes to seeking achievements in real time, adding that what matters now is giving the upmost performance, being in the present moment, and being competitive as to surpass Oman and the UAE.The Qatar head coach pointed out that the team is facing an issue with injury, with the status of some key players remaining uncertain, yet noting that the coaching staff has been working to prepare all available players, though he admitted to some concern regarding certain individuals' readiness.Despite disappointing results in recent friendlies, Lopetegui emphasized that those matches serve as opportunities to test players, including a tough 4-1 loss to Russia and a 2-2 draw with Bahrain in September. He described the Russian match as a valuable learning experience despite the inconsistent performance between both halves.The Qatar head coach concluded his remarks by addressing fans and urging them to support the team by attending the upcoming games in order to give players a vital boost during these crucial playoff matches.