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His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani met Wednesday at the Lusail Palace with the Qatar national football team players, on the occasion of their qualification to the FIFA World Cup 2026.His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani and His Highness Personal Representative of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani attended the meeting.**media[369036]**At the outset of the meeting, His Highness the Amir congratulated the national team players and members of the administrative and technical staff on their victory and qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026, to be held in Canada, Mexico, and the US. His Highness praised the players' outstanding performance and their football achievements, which will enhance the progress of sports and football in Qatar.**media[369037]**His Highness the Amir urged the players to continue their efforts and excellence, ensuring that they represent Qatar in the best possible way alongside the other Arab teams that have qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026, wishing all teams success in upcoming regional and international tournaments.Also present at the meeting were HE Chief of the Amiri Diwan Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Mubarak al-Khulaifi, HE Minister of Sports and Youth Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Thani, HE President of the Qatar Football Association (QFA) Jassim bin Rashid al -Buainain, and a number of senior officials.

President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and FIFA First Vice-President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa congratulated Saudi Arabia and Qatar on qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Sheikh Salman said the qualification of the Saudi and Qatari national football teams reflects the prominent stature of both nations' football within the Asian landscape, underscoring their sustained progress and growing excellence at both continental and international levels. He added that the achievement marks the culmination of strategic planning and sustained efforts by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation and the Qatar Football Association, whose solid foundations have paved the way for qualification to the world's most prestigious football tournament. The AFC President commended the dedication, discipline, and professionalism demonstrated by the players, coaches, and administrative staff of both national teams throughout the qualification campaign, noting that their collective efforts embody the region's growing competitiveness and ambition on the global stage. Sheikh Salman expressed confidence in the ability of the Saudi and Qatari national teams to represent Asia with distinction at the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, alongside other qualified Asian nations. He stressed the importance of thorough preparation and high-level performance to reflect the continued progress of Asian football and further enhance its reputation on the global stage. He also extended his congratulations to the Iraqi and United Arab Emirates (UAE) national teams on reaching the knockout stage of the Asian playoffs for the 2026 World Cup, praising their impressive performances during the qualifiers and wishing them success in their ongoing pursuit of a place at the finals.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani has extended his congratulations to the Qatari people following the national football team's qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.In a message shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, His Highness the Amir expressed pride in the remarkable sporting achievement and wished the team success in the upcoming tournament.Qatar secured their spot in the World Cup after Tuesday's 2-1 victory over the United Arab Emirates in the final round of the Asian qualifiers.

Ticket sales for the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025™ will begin today, 3pm, Doha time, at www.roadtoqatar.qa.Fans can purchase tickets in three categories, with prices starting from QAR 25. Supporters can also purchase a Follow My Team ticket, which will enable them to attend all matches of their team of choice during the group stage. Throughout the competition, fans will also be treated to a variety of entertainment and cultural activities. All tickets will be digital and will include accessible seating options for disabled fans. A maximum of 6 tickets per person can be purchased at one time. Disabled fans wishing to request accessible seats can do so by sending an e-mail to [email protected] opening match will take place on 1 December, 7:30pm, at Al Bayt Stadium featuring hosts Qatar and the winner of Palestine v Libya. The Final will be held on 18 December, 7pm, at the iconic Lusail Stadium. Other stadiums that will host matches during the tournament are Ahmad Bin Ali, Education City, Khalifa International and Stadium 974. A total of 16 teams will have a chance to lift the coveted FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025™ trophy. Nine of the highest FIFA ranked teams have qualified automatically, while 14 teams will vie for the remaining 7 spots in a series of qualifiers. The qualifying matches will be held ahead of the tournament on 25-26 November in Qatar, with ticket prices starting from QAR 15.Qatar’s spectacular line-up of mega-sporting events will kick off with the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™ from 3-27 November, followed by the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025™ from 1-18 December. In addition, the country is also set to host the second edition of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2025™, which will take place on 10, 13 and 17 December.For the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025™ match schedule, visit: www.roadtoqatar.qa.For all tournament updates, follow @arabcupqa on all major social media platforms.

The Qatar Football Association (QFA) has announced ticket sales for the fourth round of Group A matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers to be held in Doha from October 8 to 14, 2025.Group A brings together Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Oman, with all fixtures to be held Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium. The opening match on October 8 will see Qatar face Oman at 8pm, followed by the UAE against Oman on October 11 at 8:15pm, while the final match on October 14 will pit Qatar against the UAE, also at 8:15pm. Group B matches, involving Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Indonesia, will be staged in Jeddah during the same period.The QFA confirmed that tickets for Qatari fans for the clash with Oman will go on sale on September 29, while tickets for the UAE fixture will be available from October 9. Prices have been set at QR60 for first category and QR25 riyals for second category, with a maximum of six tickets permitted per person. Tickets can be purchased exclusively online at tickets.qfa.qa, while fans with disabilities can request access via [email protected] for Emirati fans are being handled by the UAE Football Association, with a limited number for the UAE-Oman encounter to be released on October 1. Allocations for Omani fans, handled by their federation, have already sold out.The QFA also issued important instructions, confirming there will be no ticket sales points at the stadium and warning that ticket distribution near the venue is prohibited in order to ensure fan safety and avoid congestion. For inquiries, supporters can contact [email protected] top team from each group will qualify directly for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The second-placed teams will meet in a two-leg playoff on November 13 and 18, 2025, with the winner advancing to the intercontinental playoff.Match Schedule – Group AOctober 8: Qatar vs Oman (20:00)October 11: UAE vs Oman (20:15)October 14: Qatar vs UAE (20:15)

Coaches of the teams participating in the Gulf Cup for U-17 football, set to kick off Saturday in Doha, highlighted the tournament as a key step in building a generation of players with valuable international experience.Spanish coach Alvaro Mejia, leading the Qatari U-17 team, said the competition offers “an important test” as Qatar prepares for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in November. He added that the tournament will help players gain experience, refine their skills, and adapt to different levels of competition.Iraq’s Jose Maria Zarco echoed the sentiment, noting his team is in good shape and the timing of the tournament is ideal for assessing player readiness.Saudi Arabia coach Abdulwahab Nasser al-Harbi emphasised the value of the Gulf Cup in preparing for upcoming events, including the World Cup, despite missing some players due to club commitments.Bahrain’s Croatian coach Olewo Klingor praised the organisation and described the tournament as “a major challenge and an important step” in developing young talent. Kuwait’s Tariq al-Khelaifi said the competition will aid preparations for Asian Cup qualifiers next month, while Yemen’s Samer Mohammed Saleh highlighted the opportunity for first-time international players to gain exposure.UAE coach Majid Salem Al Zaabi stressed the tournament’s role in preparing his squad for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, and Oman’s Ahmed Bait Saeed expressed enthusiasm for the strong competition and opportunities for interaction.The tournament opens tomorrow with Iraq facing Kuwait at 6pm at Grand Hamad Stadium, followed by Saudi Arabia vs. Bahrain at Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium. Qatar will start its campaign tomorrow against Yemen at Grand Hamad Stadium, alongside UAE vs. Oman at Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium.The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals on September 30, with the final scheduled for October 3 at Grand Hamad Stadium.

Qatar Airways will make history this year as the first ever ‘Presenting Partner’ of the world’s most prestigious award ceremony in football, Ballon d’Or, reinforcing the airline’s deep commitment to global sport and excellence.The 69th edition of the Ballon d’Or will take place on September 22 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France.For over six decades, the Ballon d’Or has crowned the greatest players in football, celebrating talent, dedication, and achievement on the world stage.This new partnership unites the national airline with the “world’s best” players, and marks a milestone in Qatar Airways’ ongoing support of the global sporting community.As the airline that connects fans, players, and cultures across the globe, Qatar Airways’ role as the 69th Balon d’Or ceremony ‘Presenting Partner’ underscores its purpose-driven ambition – to bring the world together through the universal language of sport.Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Badr Mohammed al-Meer, said: “We are delighted to become the first ever Presenting Partner of the Ballon d’Or Ceremony as we celebrate the legends who inspire generations. This partnership is a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence, and by aligning Qatar Airways, the World’s Best Airline with the World’s Best Footballers, we are reinforcing our brand's dedication to being the very best in every arena we enter. Just as we connect people and places through our extensive network and award-winning service, this partnership will further our mission to connect dreams, cultures and the passion for football across continents.”UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin, said: “The Ballon d’Or is more than an award - it’s a celebration of inspirational talents who define football and its history. We are honoured to welcome Qatar Airways as the first presenting partner of this iconic ceremony. “Together, we celebrate not only a passion for the beautiful game and excellence without borders, but also the profound value of bringing the world closer together.”The Ballon d’Or is awarded annually by France Football magazine, honouring the world’s best players across the Men’s and Women’s game. The full set of nominees for the 2025 Ballon d'Or can be found here.This partnership marks another chapter in Qatar Airways’ portfolio of high-profile global sports partnerships, including the likes of FIFA, UEFA Champions League and National Team Competitions, Formula 1®, Paris-Saint Germain (PSG), FC Internazionale Milano, AFC, Tennis Legend – Novak Djokovic, The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), MotoGP, the IRONMAN Triathlon Series, French Rugby Team – Section Paloise, The Brooklyn Nets NBA Team, and multiple other disciplines including Australian football, equestrian, motor racing, padel, squash, and tennis.

Tickets for the AGCFF U-17 Gulf Cup Qatar 2025 are now on sale. Fans can purchase tickets online from tickets.qfa.qa, starting from QAR 10. All tickets will be digital.The tournament will take place in Qatar from 20 September to 3 October, bringing together young football talents from the region to compete for the coveted trophy. This is the first time that the competition is being held under the auspices of the Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation (AGCFF).“The U-17 Gulf Cup embodies our commitment towards nurturing young, emerging football talents in the region. We are excited to build on the legacy created by the Arabian Gulf Cup – the region’s oldest national team competition – and encourage fans to show their support for these future stars in the making,” said Jassim Sultan Al Rumaihi, AGCFF Secretary General.A total of 15 matches will be played across two venues – Grand Hamad Stadium and Suheim bin Hamad Stadium. Both venues are accessible, ensuring a barrier-free experience for disabled fans.The Grand Hamad Stadium, with a capacity of 13,000, is currently the home ground for Qatar’s Al-Arabi club. The stadium was selected as the team base camp for the Brazil national football team during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. Meanwhile, the Suheim bin Hamad Stadium is home of the Qatar Sports Club football team. The 12,000-seater stadium hosted football matches during the 2006 Asian Games as well as various other high-profile matches during the AFC Asian Cup 2011™.Participating teams include the eight member associations of the federation and have been divided into two groups. Hosts Qatar will lead Group A, and will be joined by the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Yemen. Iraq will lead Group B, and will play alongside Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Kuwait. The tournament will get underway on 20 September at Grand Hamad Stadium, 6pm, when Iraq face Kuwait. Hosts Qatar will play their first match, one day later, on 21 September at Grand Hamad Stadium, 6pm, against Yemen.The AGCFF U-17 Gulf Cup Qatar 2025 will kick off an exciting football season in the country, with a line-up of tournaments scheduled for the last quarter of 2025. Hosts Qatar, along with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, have qualified for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™, that will take place from 3-27 November at the state-of-the-art Competition Complex at Aspire Zone. This will be followed by the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025™ from 1-18 December.For issues or complaints regarding tickets, fans can email: [email protected] purchase accessibility tickets, fans can email: [email protected] all information related to the AGCFF U-17 Gulf Cup Qatar 2025, follow @AGCFF on all major social media platforms.

Paris Saint-Germain earned a fourth consecutive win with a 2-0 triumph over Lens in the fourth round of the French Football League (Ligue 1) season. French international Bradley Barcola netted both goals for PSG in the 15th and 51st minutes, bringing his season tally to three league goals.With the win, PSG tops the table with 12 points, while Lens suffered its second defeat of the season, slipping to seventh place with six points after two wins.Meanwhile, Lille secured a 2-1 victory over Toulouse. Algerian international Nabil Bentaleb converted a penalty in the 90th minute, before Ethan Mbappe added a second one into stoppage time (90+8). Franck Magri had earlier opened the scoring for Toulouse in the 50th minute.

Aspetar, Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Iraq Football Association. Under this agreement, the Iraqi national team will receive continuous medical and scientific support over the next two years, gaining access to Aspetar's state-of-the-art medical facilities and advanced sports infrastructure. With this partnership, Iraq joins Aspetar's global network of partners who benefit from the expertise of the renowned Qatari hospital.Commenting on the occasion, Khalid Ali Al Mawlawi, Acting Director general of Aspetar, said, "The signing of this cooperation agreement with the Iraq Football Association marks another milestone in strengthening our solid and longstanding relations. This agreement reaffirms Aspetar's leading role in sports medicine in the region and underscores our commitment to enhancing player performance by providing world-class medical and scientific services, while supporting initiatives that serve athletes and advance sports medicine regionally and internationally."For his part, Adnan Dirjal, President of the Iraq Football Association, stated, "This agreement with Aspetar aims to further enhance sporting cooperation between the two parties. We have agreed to coordinate efforts to benefit from Aspetar's expertise in medicine and sports science, which will help improve the technical and medical capabilities of Iraqi teams. Aspetar, as the first of its kind in the world, plays a vital and pivotal role in preserving player health and achieving optimal results."The memorandum also grants Iraqi teams priority access to Aspetar's world-class medical services, enabling them to benefit from international best practices in maintaining player fitness and improving performance.Furthermore, the agreement covers collaboration in sports science services, including performance assessments for national team players, scientific and professional development for the association's medical staff, and providing athletes with guidance aligned with the highest international standards.Aspetar is one of the world's leading specialized hospitals in orthopaedics and sports medicine, and the first of its kind in the Middle East. In 2009, Aspetar was officially accredited as a FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence, and it is also recognized as an IOC Research Centre.