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The FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 Observation Programme is underway in Qatar, bringing together 55 representatives from football associations from across the world for five days of knowledge sharing and hands-on experience. The initiative is organised by the tournament Local Organising Committee (LOC) and the Qatar Football Association, as part of ongoing efforts to share key learnings and insights from Qatar’s extensive experience in hosting mega-sporting events.Participants in the programme will gain first-hand learnings from LOC operational teams across multiple functional areas, ranging from ticketing to medical, security and marketing rights delivery. This will include visits to key tournament sites, including stadiums, training sites, the Main Media Centre and accreditation centre.**media[392267]**"We created this programme because federations worldwide have been eager to learn from Qatar's success in hosting world-class events. Our achievements in sports and entertainment have made us a global reference point, and we're proud of that. Qatar consistently pushes boundaries to deliver exceptional experiences for fans and athletes alike. Sharing our expertise with industry partners is central to our commitment to building a legacy that extends far beyond any single event, creating sustainable impact across sectors,” said Jassim al-Jassim, CEO, LOC.Since hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, which was regarded as the best edition of the tournament in its history, Qatar has hosted a number of major sporting events including the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023.**media[392268]**Most recently, Qatar hosted the first 48-team FIFA U-17 World Cup, introducing a unique centralised hosting format that saw 104 matches played at a single venue. In addition, Qatar is hosting the final three matches of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2025 during the rest days of the ongoing FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025, showcasing the country’s exceptional organisational capabilities and the international football community's trust in its ability to deliver world-class football tournaments.Taking part in the programme is Natasha al-Naber, Competitions Officer, West Asian Football Federation: “It’s great to be in Qatar and be part of this knowledge-sharing opportunity. Qatar has successfully hosted a number of tournaments, especially the World Cup in 2022, which is one of the most impressive editions to date. By working with the organising committee in Qatar, we are able to better understand the various operational aspects involved in tournaments and how multiple stakeholders work together to deliver the event. This is valuable knowledge that I will be taking back to our federation to help us host competitions in the future.” **media[392270]**For Norman Gwangwadza, Head of Finance and Administration, Zimbabwe Football Association, Qatar’s capabilities in hosting multiple sporting events at the same time have made it a leading global sports destination: “Qatar has proven to be excellent hosts yet again, with the delivery of the U-17 World Cup and the Arab Cup. Through this programme, I have learned that planning is key for delivering major tournaments, especially in areas of procurement, transportation and resource management. I hope I will be able to apply all these lessons learned during the programme in organising future tournaments.”Edna Nisola, Media and Marketing Committee Member, Northern Mariana Islands Football Association, says the programme has provided her with a fresh perspective on strategies to enhancing fan experiences: “It is an exciting time to be in Qatar. We are in the middle of a busy football season in the country. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about what goes on behind the scenes when delivering a mega-sporting event. I am keen on learning more about enhancing fan experiences through the LOC’s comprehensive marketing and event strategies that have been successful for every tournament.”In the past few weeks, the LOC also welcomed members from the FIFA World Cup Saudi Arabia 2034 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 for a similar programme, where tournament organisers were able to learn from the tremendous success achieved by Qatar in hosting the first ever FIFA World Cup in the Arab world and the Middle East.For all tournament updates, follow @roadtoqatar on all major social media platforms.

The Qatar Stock Exchange Thursday fell about 11 points on selling pressure especially in the banks, consumer goods and insurance sectors.The Gulf institutions were increasingly net sellers as the 20-stock Qatar Index was down 0.1% to 10,712.82 points, although it touched an intraday high of 10,792 points.The local retail investors’ weakened net buying had its influence on the main market, whose year-to-date gains truncated to 1.34%.More than 44% of the traded constituents were in the red in the main bourse, whose capitalisation melted QR0.5bn or 0.08% to QR639.65bn, mainly on microcap segments.However, the domestic institutions turned net buyers in the main market, which saw as many as 0.07mn exchange traded funds (sponsored by AlRayan Bank) valued at QR0.15mn trade across 26 deals.The foreign institutions were increasingly bullish in the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the rise.The Islamic index was seen making gains vis-à-vis declines in the other indices of the main market, which saw no trading of treasury bills.The Arab individuals were seen net buyers in the main bourse, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The Total Return Index was down 0.1% and the All Share Index by 0.14%; while the All Islamic Index was up 0.04% in the main market.The banks and financial services sector index fell 0.24%, consumer goods and services (0.16%), insurance (0.12%) and industrials (0.1%); while transport gained 0.16%, real estate (0.15%) and telecom (0.14%).As many as 18 stocks gained, while 23 declined and 11 were unchanged.Major shakers in the main market included Ahlibank Qatar, Industries Qatar, Doha Insurance, Qatar Industrial Manufacturing, Qatar Islamic Bank, Lesha Bank, Dlala, Widam Food, Mekdam Holding and Qatar Electricity and Water.In the junior bourse, Techno Q saw its shares depreciate in value.Nevertheless, Qatar Cinema and Film Distribution, Inma Holding, Al Mahhar Holding, Qamco, Qatar Oman Investment, Aamal Company, Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding, Ezdan, Vodafone Qatar and Milaha were among the movers in the main market.The Gulf institutions’ net profit booking increased substantially to QR45.33mn compared to QR0.4mn on December 3.The local retail investors’ net buying decreased marginally to QR5.81mn against QR6.98mn the previous day.However, the domestic funds turned net buyers to the tune of QR19.43mn compared with net sellers of QR2.61mn on Wednesday.The foreign institutions’ net buying strengthened significantly to QR16.74mn against QR0.23mn on December 3.The Arab individuals were net buyers to the extent of QR2.15mn compared with net sellers of QR3.17mn the previous day.The foreign retail investors turned net buyers to the tune of QR1.35mn against net sellers of QR0.41mn on Wednesday.The Gulf retail investors’ net profit booking eased perceptibly to QR0.14mn compared to QR0.62mn on December 3.The Arab institutions had no major net exposure for the second straight session.The main market saw an 11% jump in trade volumes to 105.91mn shares and 35% in value to QR365.49mn on almost doubled deals to 29,567.In the venture market, a total of 0.03mn equities valued at QR0.06mn changed hands across 13 transactions. 

Overcoming the initial weakness, the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) Tuesday finally settled 53 points higher on the back of strong buying support from local retail investors.The banking counter witnessed higher than average demand as the 20-stock Qatar Index rose 0.5% to 10,674.06 points, recovering from an intraday low of 10,573 points.The Gulf institutions were increasingly net buyers in the main market, whose year-to-date gains improved further to 0.97%.About 61% of the traded constituents extended gains to investors in the main bourse, whose capitalisation added QR2.55bn or 0.4% to QR638.02bn, mainly on small and microcap segments.The Arab individuals were increasingly bearish in the main market, which saw as many as 3,616 exchange traded funds (sponsored by AlRayan Bank and Doha Bank) valued at QR8,024 trade across eight deals.The Arab individuals’ weakened net selling had its influence on the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the rise.The Islamic index was seen outperforming the other indices of the main market, which saw no trading of treasury bills.However, the domestic institutions were increasingly net profit takers in the main bourse, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds.The Total Return Index rose 0.5%, the All Share Index by 0.43% and the All Islamic Index by 0.57% in the main market.The banks and financial services sector index gained 0.63%, telecom (0.42%), industrials (0.29%), consumer goods and services (0.11%), insurance (0.08%) and real estate (0.02%); while transport was down 0.09%.As many as 31 stocks gained, while 17 declined and three were unchanged.Major movers in the main market include QLM, Widam Food, Qatar German Medical Devices, Vodafone Qatar, AlRayan Bank, Qatar Islamic Bank, Al Faleh Educational Holding and Industries Qatar.Nevertheless, Inma Holding, Beema, Nakilat, Qatar National Cement and Barwa were among the shakers in the main bourse. In the venture market, Techno Q saw its shares depreciate in value.The local retail investors’ net buying increased substantially to QR44.87mn compared to QR2.22mn on December 1.The Gulf institutions’ net buying strengthened markedly to QR7.71mn against QR0.49mn the previous day.The Arab institutions’ net buying expanded marginally to QR0.15mn compared to QR0.02mn on Monday.The Arab individual investors’ net selling weakened noticeably to QR2.21mn against QR5.86mn on December 1.However, the domestic funds’ net profit booking increased significantly to QR49.5mn compared to QR4.97mn the previous day.The foreign institutions turned net sellers to the extent of QR1.36mn against net buyers of QR5.57mn on Monday.The foreign individuals were net sellers to the tune of QR0.07mn compared with net buyers of QR1.69mn on December 1.The Gulf retail investors’ net buying decreased perceptibly to QR0.41mn against QR0.83mn the previous day.The main market saw 24% jump in trade volumes to 137.53mn shares, 24% in value to QR425.41mn and 85% in deals to 30,317.In the venture market, a total of 0.05mn equities valued at QR0.11mn changed hands across 18 transactions. 

In a press conference held today in Doha, the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 Local Organising Committee (LOC) announced Qatar’s preparedness to host the second edition of the prestigious regional competition from 1-18 December. A total of 16 teams will have a chance to lift the coveted trophy. Speaking at the press conference were Jassim Al Jassim, LOC CEO; Roberto Grassi, FIFA Representative; Saeed Al Kuwari, Hayya Director at Qatar Tourism; Colonel Dr. Jabr H. J. Al Naimi, Spokesperson of Ministry of Interior; and Fatma Al Nuaimi, LOC Executive Director of Communications and Media. The tournament has garnered wide attention with 700,699 tickets sold so far. In particular, 210,209 of these tickets were purchased by supporters outside of Qatar, reaffirming the competition’s regional appeal. Supporters of Qatar, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia led ticket sales for group stage matches. The tournament has also attracted massive interest from regional media, with 3,861 media personnel having submitted applications for accreditation to cover the competition in Qatar. From these, 2,085 of them are from outside of Qatar. A total of 15 regional and international broadcasters will make use of the host country’s studios in Doha, while many other channels have acquired the rights to broadcast matches. Tournament organisers also announced that the use of Doha Metro will be free of charge for all ticketholders on match days, allowing fans to make use of Qatar’s compact nature. All six venues hosting matches during the tournament are connected seamlessly by Qatar’s modern rail network. The opening match will take place on 1 December at Al Bayt Stadium featuring hosts Qatar and Palestine. Gates will open at 2:30pm, with the tournament opening taking place at 5:30pm. The Final will be held on 18 December 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. Throughout the competition, fans will also be treated to a variety of entertainment and cultural activities at fan zones located across all six venues. The tournament will provide a platform to celebrate the region’s rich and diverse culture, unity and shared passion for football. Recently, the LOC unveiled the official tournament mascot Juha – a popular character from the history of Arab literature. Earlier this week, tournament organisers announced the release of the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 official soundtrack, consisting of two songs, titled ‘Zamani’ and ‘Makani’, both produced by Doha-based Katara Studios. The upbeat soundtrack is an ode to the passion and camaraderie that Arab fans share as they come together, once again, to celebrate the beautiful game. In the same week, the LOC, in collaboration with FIFA, also launched the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 Daily Fantasy Game that allows fans across the region and beyond to step into the role of football managers and compete in a daily fantasy challenge throughout the tournament. The game is available in the Play Zone tab of the FIFA app and can also be accessed on play.fifa.com. FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 tickets are available at: www.roadtoqatar.qa, 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.

The FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 Local Organising Committee has announced the release of the tournament’s official soundtrack, as excitement builds for the prestigious Arab competition taking place from 1-18 December. Consisting of two songs, titled ‘Zamani’ and ‘Makani’, both produced by Doha-based Katara Studios, the upbeat soundtrack is an ode to the passion and camaraderie that Arab fans share as they come together, once again, to celebrate the beautiful game.‘Zamani’, which means, ‘My Time’ in Arabic, is sung by Qatari artist, Hamad Al Khazina, with lyrics penned by Mohammad Al Khajah. In a celebratory style befitting the spirit of football, the song focuses on the importance of ambition, the spirit of determination, and the joy of achievement, while declaring that the region’s time to shine has come.‘Makani’ is the second song released, which means ‘My Place’ in Arabic, with eminent Egyptian artist Mohamed Mounir lending his vocals, and lyrics by Mostafa Hadouta. The song examines the concept of home from a human perspective, celebrating the shared identity among Arabs that transcends borders to create a community that provides support, unity, and a sense of true belonging.Both songs are composed by award-winning Moroccan-Swedish record producer Nadir Khayat, also known as RedOne, who has previously worked on the official soundtrack of the historic FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, regaling fans with unforgettable hits such as Arhbo and Dreamers.Watch the full videos of ‘Zamani’ and ‘Makani’ on the @RoadtoQatar YouTube channel.The countdown begins for the Arab world’s biggest football tournament that will see a total of 16 teams competing for the coveted FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 trophy.FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 ticket are available at: www.roadtoqatar.qa, 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. 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 at Al Bayt Stadium featuring hosts Qatar and the winner of Palestine v Libya. The Final will be held on 18 December 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.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 Department of Meteorology has forecast hazy weather at first, becoming dusty and relatively hot with a chance of local rainy clouds that might be thundery in places daytime, mild by night, warning of thunder rain associated with strong wind in places daytime.Offshore, it will be dusty and partly cloudy to cloudy with a chance of scattered rain. It becomes fine later.Inshore winds will be northwesterly- northeasterly at 3–13 KT, gusting at 25 KT during thunder break. Offshore, winds will be northwesterly- northerly at 05–15 KT.The sea state inshore will range between 1–3. Offshore, it will range between 2–4.Visibility will range between 4–9 KM/ 3KM inshore, and between 5 -9 KM offshore.

Weather inshore until 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday will be hazy in some places at first, becoming relatively hot with a chance of local clouds during the daytime, and mild by night, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather report.Offshore, the weather will be partly cloudy at times.Wind inshore will be variable at first, becoming northwesterly to northeasterly at 4–14 KT.Offshore, it will be northwesterly to northeasterly at 3–13 KT.Sea state inshore will be 1–2 FT, while offshore it will be 1–3 FT.Visibility inshore will range between 4 and 10 km, and offshore between 5 and 10 km.

Grace Secret claimed the Asherij Cup for three-year-old+ Local Purebred Arabian fillies and mares at the Al Rayyan racecourse Wednesday.The three-year-old bay filly recorded an impressive 3½-length victory on her seasonal debut to notch her second career win in just her third start, showing plenty more to give for owner Umm Al Shukhut Farm and trainer Ibrahim Khaled Elahmed.She was partnered by jockey Alberto Sanna, who completed a double on the day, winning both the first and final races of the day. Abdulla Rashid al-Kubaisi, QREC Racing Manager, crowned the winners. Sanna won the card opener – Thoroughbred Handicap (0-60) – with Injaaz Stud-owned and Jihad El Ahmad-trained Estithmar.Jockey Soufiane Saadi also completed a double on the day as he guided Naseeb Zakhir, in the colours of Osama Omer al-Dafea, to victory in the Local Purebred Arabian Graduation Plate for three-year-old+. Saadi was in the winners’ enclosure in the fifth race of the day when he rode Faleh Suwayed al-Ajami’s Studio City to the Thoroughbred Handicap (60-80) for the three-year-old+.RESULTS3rd Al Rayyan Race Meeting - Asherij CupWINNERS: (Horse, Trainer, Jockey)1 - Asherij Cup - Local Purebred Arabian HandicapGrace Secret, Ibrahim Khaled Elahmed, Alberto Sanna2 - Local Purebred Arabian Graduation PlateNaseeb Zakhir, Eng Osama Omer al-Dafea, Soufiane Saadi3 - Thoroughbred Handicap (60-80)Studio City, Mohammed al Ghazali, Soufiane Saadi4: Local Thoroughbred Handicap (35-60)Horse: Saida, Hamad al-Jehani, Saleh Faraj al-Otaibi5 - Purebred Arabian Maiden PlateAzzam FBR, Fahad Rashid al-Khayarin al-Hajri, Abdulla Rashid al-Hajri6: Thoroughbred Maiden Plate, 3-7YOsMorello Man, Hamad al-Jehani, Szczepan Mazur7 -Thoroughbred Handicap (0-60)Estithmar, Jihad El Ahmad, Alberto Sanna

The Department of Meteorology has forecast hazy conditions at first on Tuesday, becoming relatively hot weather during the day with a chance of local clouds, and mild by night. Offshore, the weather will see some clouds at times, the daily weather report stated. Inshore winds will be northwesterly to northeasterly at 5 to 15 KT, gusting to 20 KT in some areas at times. Offshore winds will be northwesterly at 5 to 15 KT, gusting to 18 KT at times. The sea state inshore is expected to range between 1 and 3 feet, rising to 4 feet at times, while offshore it will range between 2 and 4 feet, rising to 5 feet at times. Visibility inshore will range between 4 and 9 km, while offshore it will range between 5 and 10 km.

The Department of Meteorology has forecast relatively hot weather during the day on Monday, with a chance of local clouds, maybe rain in some areas. Offshore, the weather will be hazy at first, becoming fine later, the daily weather report stated. Inshore winds will be northwesterly to northeasterly at 5 to 15 KT, gusting to 22 KT in some areas at times. Offshore winds will be mainly northwesterly at 5 to 15 KT, gusting to 21 KT in some areas at times. The sea state inshore is expected to range between 1 and 3 feet, while offshore it will range between 2 and 4 feet, rising to 6 feet in some areas at times. Visibility inshore will range between 4 and 9 km, while offshore it will range between 4 and 10 km.

The 5th Qatar Arabian Horse Show for Local Bred, organised by Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club (QREC), began at Al Shaqab on Sunday. The three-day will see action for various categories for junior mares and fillies, yearling colts and fillies, and senior stallions and mares with the championship classes being held on Tuesday.

Inshore weather until 6:00 pm on Thursday will be relatively hot with a chance of local clouds during the daytime, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather report. Offshore, the weather will be hazy and see scattered clouds, the report added. Wind inshore will be westerly at first, becoming northwesterly to northeasterly at a speed of 5–15 KT, gusting to 20 KT in the daytime. Offshore, it will be northwesterly to northeasterly at a speed of 5–15 KT. Sea state inshore will be 1–3 ft, while offshore it will be 2–4 ft. Visibility inshore and offshore will be 5–9 km.