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The FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 Local Organising Committee (LOC) has reaffirmed Qatar's readiness to host the historic youth tournament, taking place from November 3-27.At a press conference, the LOC officials – Mobility Director Eng. Abdulaziz Fakhroo, Venue Management Senior Manager Eng. Jassim al-Obaidly, Senior Marketing Communication Manager Ahmed al-Meghessib and Director of Local and Regional Media Mohammed al-Khanji – unveiled key tournament details, operational preparations and comprehensive measures to deliver an exceptional experience for the 48 participating teams and fans expected to attend the event.The FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar is the first tournament of its kind to feature 48 teams, with as many as eight matches a day, for a total of 104 matches. The tournament will be contested across eight pitches at the state-of-the-art Competition Complex in Aspire Zone, with the final set to take place at Khalifa International Stadium.Fakhroo emphasised that the experience gained from hosting previous tournaments has been instrumental in enhancing Qatar’s operational readiness for major events. He noted that staging all matches within a single location at Aspire Zone is a new experience for the organisers but expressed confidence in its success. He added that a simple opening ceremony will precede the Qatar-Italy opening match on Pitch No. 7.In addition, a dedicated Fan Zone will feature football competitions, e-gaming zones, live entertainment and cultural performances that reflect Qatari heritage and the diversity of the participating teams – all designed to create a festive football atmosphere.Organisers also announced that the tournament has already attracted wide international attention, with over 500 media organisations from 65 nations confirmed to cover the event.In keeping with the LOC’s commitment to sustainability, organisers announced that the tournament will operate under proven environmental practices from the FIFA World Cup 2022, including comprehensive waste management and recycling programmes. Disabled fans can avail a number of accessibility services including audio descriptive commentary for select matches, as well as sensory rooms in the Fan Zone.Qatar’s modern transportation network will ensure barrier-free access for all spectators. The Sports City metro station on the Golden Line provides immediate access to Aspire Zone, while dedicated ride-sharing and taxi drop-off zones are also available for maximum convenience. Spectators opting for private vehicles can take advantage of expansive parking facilities, with clearly marked accessibility spaces for visitors with mobility requirements. Wheelchair-accessible taxis will also be available through the Karwa app.Around 500 volunteers will support operations across multiple functional areas, embodying the community spirit that define Qatar's approach to hosting major international events.Host nation Qatar has been drawn in Group A alongside Italy, South Africa, and Bolivia. The young Maroons will begin their campaign against Italy on November 3, aiming to equal or surpass their best-ever U-17 World Cup finish — fourth place in the 1991 edition.Fans can purchase FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar tickets at: www.roadtoqatar.qa. Tickets will be available as a Day Pass for QR 20, which will enable fans to attend multiple matches a day as well as cultural and entertainment activities in the Fan Zones.Fans can also purchase a Prime Pass, which will enable them to reserve seats for high demand matches. Supporters of the Qatar national team can avail the Follow My Team ticket, which will enable them to attend all matches of the Qatari U-17 team during the group stage. Disabled fans can request accessible tickets by emailing: [email protected] 2025 edition marks the first of five consecutive FIFA U-17 World Cups that Qatar will host through 2029, reflecting the nation's long-term commitment to developing youth football globally and cementing its status as a leading sports destination. For tournament updates, follow @u17worldcupqa on all major social media platforms.For the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 match schedule, visit: www.roadtoqatar.qa. Download the RoadtoQatar app to view, manage and transfer purchased tickets. The app, now available on iOS and Android, is mandatory for venue entry during the tournament.

HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan al-Thani met with Turkish Minister of National Defence Yasar Guler in Ankara Tuesday. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the inauguration of the BMC armoured vehicles and heavy engines factory in the Turkish capital. The two ministers discussed issues of mutual interest and ways to strengthen and expand defence co-operation between their countries. Senior military officials from both sides attended the meeting.

Qatar Museums (QM) Chairperson HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad al-Thani has inaugurated the "Portals in Flux" art exhibition at the Fire Station.Running until December 31, the exhibition, which culminated the 9th Artist in Residence (AIR) Programme at the station, showcases the artworks of 15 artists, including Salha al-Subaie, Reem al-Shammari, Sarah al-Nuaimi, Ghalia al-Mahmoudi, and Lulwah al-Mughaiseeb from Qatar.The others are Alaa al-Barazi from Syria, Alexandrine Gueran from France, Surabhi Jaykhawadd from India, Khaled al-Arabi and Reham Mohammed from Sudan, Naeema al-Mujdoubah from Jordan, Nada al-Kharashi from Egypt, John Venditti from Canada, Fatima al-Siddique from Pakistan, and Natalia Mejhia from Colombia.The artworks reflect their predilections, sources of inspiration, as well as the diverse materials they leverage to implement their ideas, from a combination of multimedia that includes sound, light, colours, metals, and ceramics.Reem al-Shammari told the Qatar News Agency (QNA) that the AIR helped her promote her artistic interests, blending her expertise as a jewellery designer holding a patent for engraving the eye imprint on precious metals.She employed clay and other media, along with colours, to construct an epochal obelisk reflecting the eye imprint civilisation, drawing inspiration from the obelisk as a document in the architecture of ancient civilisationsAl-Shammari further indicated that her works are inspired by heritage themes through artistic and aesthetic approaches, integrating contemporary techniques.Fatima al-Siddique told the QNA of the AIR experience included studios that are well-retrofitted, the station's supervision, the artists' interaction with one another, and the sharing of expertise.She stated that she showcased five artworks in the exhibition, along with a mural painted on a table cover, in which she drew inspiration from her cultural heritage, represented in traditions, food culture, fashion, and colours, reshaping them across the canvases in a celebration of hues and forms within this rich cultural blend.The exhibition is part of "Evolution Nation", an 18-month campaign that pays tribute to Qatar's cultural pathway spanning the past 50 years since the inception of the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ).

3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum (QOSM) has opened “Sneakers Unboxed: Studio to Street”, a major touring exhibition from London’s Design Museum, making its Middle East debut in Doha until March 7, 2026.Unveiled by Qatar Museums (QM) Chairperson HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, the exhibition traces the design and cultural evolution of sneakers – shoes that began as athletic gear and grew into a global phenomenon shaping sport, style, and identity.Featuring more than 200 pairs of sneakers displayed alongside photographs, films, and archival materials, the exhibition offers an immersive journey through sneaker history.Highlights include rare and limited-edition designs as well as an exclusive presentation of Virgil Abloh’s celebrated sneaker creations.“’Sneakers Unboxed: Studio to Street’ reflects our ongoing commitment to exploring the intersection of sport, design, and culture,” said QOSM president Sheikh Mohammad bin Abdulla al-Thani. “This exhibition celebrates how innovation and creativity have transformed something as everyday as a shoe into a global cultural phenomenon.”“By hosting this show in Doha, we continue to engage diverse audiences, inspire the next generation, and highlight the universal power of sport as a unifying force that transcends borders and disciplines,” he said.The exhibition explores sneaker culture through two key lenses: style and performance.The exhibition highlights how innovation and design have revolutionised athletic footwear, transforming the way athletes train and compete.It also delves into the cultural impact of sneakers, revealing how they have become enduring symbols of identity, creativity, and self-expression across generations and communities.“Over the past 50 years, sneakers have evolved from a sports shoe to the most prominent form of footwear in the world with well over a billion pairs sold last year alone,” said Design Museum chief executive and director Tim Marlow. “This exhibition explores a global design phenomenon that has fascinated everyone from sneakerheads to world class athletes, a complex and captivating mixture of technical innovation, high performance problem solving and street-style sub-cultures.”“Sneakers Unboxed” in Doha is part of the legacy of the Qatar-UK 2013 Year of Culture, a wide-ranging celebration of shared cultural ties between Qatar and the UK.The exhibition is presented as part of "Evolution Nation", an 18-month campaign honouring Qatar’s cultural journey over the past 50 years, since the founding of the National Museum of Qatar.Curated by Qatar Creates, the national movement positioning Qatar as a global hub for art, culture, and creativity, Evolution Nation highlights both the nation’s cultural milestones and its aspirations for the future.

HE the Minister of Municipality Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah al-Attiyah met Tuesday with a host of fishermen to explore the challenges facing the fishing sector and ways to advance this sector in pursuit of increasing domestic production and achieving self-sufficiency. The ministry highly prioritizes the fishing sector as part of its strategy to achieve sustainable development and is working to execute integrated plans and programs to optimize fishermen's working environment, in addition to having infrastructure and services in place to back these activities, al-Attiyah highlighted. Al-Attiyah further outlined that the ministry has been committed to constantly reaching out to fishermen and listening to their suggestions and feedback onsite to ensure the enforcement of practical solutions that help elevate domestic production efficiency from fish and enhance the quality of national products in alignment with the objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030. The meeting was part of a series of the ministry's meetings with a variety of partners in the food security system within an all-hands-on-deck approach that promotes integration between public and private sectors to achieve self-sufficiency from farm, livestock, and seafood products.

HE the Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh al-Khulaifi, held talks on Tuesday with British ministers on Africa and Latin America.HE al-Khulaifi met separately in London with Minister of State for Development and Africa, Baroness Chapman of Darlington, and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Multilateral, Human Rights, Latin America and the Caribbean, Chris Elmore. Discussions focused on bilateral relations and means to strengthen co-operation between the two countries.The meetings also addressed co-ordination to support political processes aimed at achieving security and stability in Africa through peaceful means, as well as an exchange of views on the latest developments in several Latin American countries. The two British officials praised Qatar's role in mediation and peacebuilding efforts around the world.

At least 18 suspects and several police officers were killed Tuesday during a massive anti-drug raid in Rio de Janeiro, Brazilian authorities said."So far, we have 56 arrests and 18 criminals neutralized," Rio State Governor Claudio Castro told a press conference.He described the operation, which involved 2,500 officers and targeted a suspected drug-trafficking ring at a favela in Rio, as the "largest in the history" of the state.

HE the Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs ambassador Faisal bin Abdullah al-Hanzab met Monday with the visiting Special Envoy of the European Union for Afghanistan, Gilles Bertrand. The meeting discussed co-operation between Qatar and the European Union, particularly joint efforts in Afghanistan.

Djibouti’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation and Government Spokesperson Abdoulkader Houssein Omar has said that the two memorandums of understanding (MoU) signed between Qatar and Djibouti regarding the establishment of a joint committee for co-operation and holding political consultations on issues of common interest represent an important step towards strengthening the strategic partnership and bilateral co-operation between the two countries in various fields. In an interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA) during his visit to Qatar, he said that the two MoUs aim to establish an institutional framework for co-operation through a joint committee and periodic consultations between the two foreign ministries. This will enhance communication and co-ordination and provide a platform for monitoring the implementation of joint agreements and initiatives, thus supporting fraternal relations between the two countries at all levels. He explained that the areas of infrastructure, energy, health, and education represent priorities for co-operation between Djibouti and Qatar in the coming period. He noted that investment in major development projects and the exchange of technical expertise constitute a fundamental pillar for achieving sustainable economic growth and comprehensive development in Djibouti. In his assessment of the level of political relations between the two countries, the minister stressed that these relations are strong and distinguished, reflecting mutual respect and a shared desire to develop the partnership. He noted that the next steps will include enhancing political co-ordination through periodic consultations, exchanging visits by senior officials, and expanding areas of co-operation on regional and international issues of common interest. Regarding developments in the Horn of Africa and Red Sea region, he stated that Djibouti appreciates the positive role played by Qatar in supporting stability and development in the region, whether through humanitarian and development initiatives or mediation and conflict resolution efforts. He emphasised that co-operation with the State of Qatar contributes to strengthening economic and political security and supporting joint development projects. He expressed Djibouti’s pride in the strong fraternal relations with Qatar, looking forward to continuing to develop bilateral co-operation in the developmental, economic and political fields in a way that serves the interests of the two brotherly peoples and embodies the spirit of brotherhood and solidarity between the two countries.

Experts and futurists in medical education and artificial intelligence (AI) from around the world gathered in Doha for a conference organised by Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q), which explored how technological breakthroughs are revolutionising healthcare and the way medicine is taught.The 2nd Medical Education Technology Conference brought together thought leaders in medical education, technology and the humanities from institutions in Qatar, the US, the UK and the Netherlands to explore the impact of new advances in AI, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR) on healthcare and education.The conference, titled “The Power of Connection: Leveraging Technology for Humanistic Medical Education”, addressed the need to integrate study of the humanities with utilisation of advanced technologies to ensure medical education remains human-centered, ethical and compassionate.The conference, co-directed by professor of clinical medicine and vice-dean for academic and curricular affairs Dr Thurayya Arayssi and Dr Anna Halama, the assistant professor of research in physiology and biophysics, also discussed the opportunities and challenges presented by advances in technology.“New technologies, particularly AI and immersive learning, offer us incredibly powerful teaching tools that have the potential to make medical education radically more effective,” Dr Arayssi said. “However, it is incumbent upon us to ensure that these disruptive technologies are deployed in ways which enable medical education programmes to continue to cultivate empathy, compassion and creativity in future physicians.”The conference featured a series of presentations by expert speakers, Q&A panel discussions, and multiple opportunities for attendees to gain hands-on interactive experiences with technologies such as immersive content creation and VR simulations.Presentations discussed the impact of AI on the cognitive development of students and physicians, the emotional and psychological effects of immersive technologies used for medical simulation-based teaching, and the potential benefits of “gamification” teaching methods.The expert speakers at the conference were drawn from elite international medical and educational institutions, including Weill Cornell Medicine in New York; Cornell University in Ithaca, New York; the University of Cambridge, UK; Kenyon College, Ohio; UCI School of Medicine, California; Southern Illinois University School of Medicine; Amsterdam University Medical Centre; and Princeton University, New Jersey.The event drew participants from all over the world, with healthcare professionals, educators and students in attendance from Qatar, the wider Mena (Middle East and North Africa) region, the US, Europe, India and elsewhere.“This excellent event underlined that the judicious integration of AI and technological advances into medical education has the potential to enhance the acquisition of skills, knowledge and professionalism, which can all help improve patient care,” said WCM-Q dean Dr Javaid Sheikh. “At WCM-Q, we believe in embracing innovation to improve healthcare education, while also working hard to maintain the humanistic values of compassion, care, and empathy that form the core principles of responsible physicianship.”

Qatar returns to the 2025 sporting calendar after a 10-year absence to host the final round of the UIM-ABP Aquabike World Championship this weekend (October 30-November 1).Aquabike Promotion and the Doha Marine Sports Club (DMSC) will host the three-day Old Doha Port Grand Prix of Qatar on Doha Bay. The event will act as the final round of the World Championship and the stand-alone Runabout GP2 Asian Continental Championship.The provisional entry features 90 riders from 19 nations, with 28 competing in Runabout GP1, 23 in Ski Division GP1, 13 in Ski Ladies GP1 and a staggering 12 in Freestyle. In addition, 14 will compete in the Asian Continental section of the weekend.Francois Medori heads to Doha with a maximum 100 points for winning four successive Runabout GP1 Motos. The Corsican will be aiming to defend a 16-point advantage over Jeremy Perez, with current World Champion Samuel Johansson somehow retaining third in the rankings, despite picking up just three points from the second of the recent heats in Sardinia.All the major protagonists are among the 28-rider field and they include Pierre-Francois Savelli, Robin Laforge, Gyorgy Kasza, Andrzej Wisniewski, Martin Doulik and Linus Lindberg.The host nation will be represented by Khalid al-Mohannadi and Waleed al-Sharshani and the Emirati trio of Khalid al-Maazmi, Khalifa Belsalah and Mohammed Mohsin boost the regional entry.The Qatar event also sees the dramatic return of five-time World Champion Yousef al-Abdulrazzaq and fellow Kuwaiti riders, Rashed al-Dawas and Ahmad al-Khadhari.Dane Oliver Koch Hansen arrives in Doha with an 11-point lead over Jeremy Poret in the battle for the Ski Division GP1 world title. The leading racers on the planet battled it out in three gripping Motos in Sardinia two weeks ago with a pair of victories for Belgian Quinten Bossche sandwiching a lone win for Mickael Poret.Reliability issues have plagued defending champion Bossche this season, however, and three Moto wins have been coupled with three non-finishes. That was left the Ostende racer languishing in sixth in the standings behind Koch Hansen, Jeremy Poret, Japan’s Toshi O’Hara, Mickael Poret and young Belgian Yoni Hamelin.All of the title contenders will be present in Doha where they line up against the likes of former champion Kevin Reiterer, Anthony Beernaut, Morgan Poret, Benjamin Scharff and Axel Courtois.Nizar Abuljadayel represents the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and is the only GCC entrant in the field.The fight for honours in Ski Ladies GP1 promises to be a classic and 13 riders are making the trip to Qatar for the three-Moto finale. Estelle Poret has a seven-point cushion over Benedicte Drange with defending champion Jasmiin Ypraus a further point adrift in third. Naomi Benini and Virginie Morlaes are tied for fourth, albeit 35 points behind the leading French girl.Drange has taken four wins from six Motos but suffering a costly retirement from the third Moto in Indonesia. Poret has never been off the podium and won one heat, while Ypraus had a win and four podium finishes before engine issues plagued her before the last of the Motos in Sardinia.The Estonian’s number one ski failed to start and she was forced to turn to her back-up machine which misfired its way around the course to pick up just 10 points. Could that have been the moment when Ypraus lost the world title?Jessica Chavanne suffered a miserable weekend in Sardinia and the new European champion will be hoping for better fortune on Doha Bay, where she lines up alongside the likes of Sofie and Jonna Borgstrom, Heloise Delcluze, River Varner, Joana Graça, Janina Johansson and French newcomer Emy Garcia.The Freestyle category has attracted a staggering 12 entrants, although the defending European champion and current World Championship leader Roberto Mariani tops the field from defending champion and title rival Rashid al-Mulla from Abu Dhabi. The pair are separated by 10 points heading into the final two Motos of the season with Massimo Accumolo three points further behind in the bronze medal position. Portugal’s Paulo Nunes is fourth.There are six Qatari entrants in the provisional field: Abdulaziz al-Abdullah, Nayef al-Nama, Salem al-Kubaisi, Issa al-Assi, Abdulrahman al-Sulaiti and Bader al-Abdullah will be hoping for success in front of home crowds. They will be joined by Kuwait’s Aziz al-Armeli and Saudi Arabia’s Nizar Abuljadayel.Four of the Runabout GP2 Asian Continental Championship entrants will represent Qatar, with five from the UAE, four from Saudi Arabia and one from Kuwait. Mahmoud Abumaali, Khalaf al-Kuwari, Waleed al-Ibrahim and Waleed al-Sharshani will fly the Qatari flag with Abdullah al-Fadhel lining up for Kuwait.Registration and scrutineering formalities take place Wednesday. A hectic Thursday timetable sees the free practice sessions for the Runabout GP2 Asian Continental Championship fire into life from 9:30 am and precede nearly two hours of practice for the Ski Ladies GP1, Ski Division GP1, Runabout GP1 and Freestyle competitors.The afternoon is dominated by the various qualifying and pole position sessions.The first Runabout GP2 Asian Continental Championship Moto kickstarts Friday’s action from 10am and is followed by opening Motos for Ski Ladies GP1 and Ski Division GP1. The second of the Motos follow in the afternoon before the Runabout GP1 and Freestyle contenders take part in their first heats.The evening’s action will be rounded off by a Parallel Slalom competition and a Freestyle night show to entertain spectators in the Old Port area on Doha Corniche.Qualifying for the Qatar International Cup and a session for non-qualified Runabout GP2 riders opens Saturday morning’s action. Further free practice follows before a Moto for the Qatar International Cup to round off the morning.The third Runabout GP2 Asian Continental Championship Moto is first on the agenda in the afternoon and precedes the final Ski Ladies GP1 and Ski GP1 Motos that will decide the outcome of the World Championship.Runabout GP1 and Freestyle contenders then take to the water for their second Motos that will draw a curtain on the season’s UIM-ABP Aquabike Circuit Pro World Championship.

The Qatar Football Association has announced the national squad for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025, which will take place from November 3 to 27 at Aspire Academy venues and Khalifa International Stadium.This year's tournament marks a historic expansion, with 48 teams competing for the first time in a FIFA youth event, playing 104 matches over 25 days.Qatar will also host five consecutive editions of the competition through 2029, as the event becomes an annual fixture instead of being held every two years.Qatar has been drawn into Group A alongside Italy, South Africa, and Bolivia.Head coach Alvaro Mejia has selected a 21-player squad, including goalkeepers Ahmed Saber, Khaled Shukri, and Abdulrahman Khalid. Other key players include Tamim Al Qadi, Adam Riyadh, Zaid Faisal, Sultan Al Abdulrahman, Saud Al Hamad, Issa Waleed, Saifuddin Ahmed, Sheikh Mohammed, Abdulaziz Younes, Omar Al Marzouqi, Faisal Saeed, Karam Hadi, Malik Majed, Mohammed Akram, Mostafa Khalid, Muhannad Jamil, Mohammed Abdulrahman, and Yazan Hani.Qatar's campaign begins against Italy on November 3, followed by South Africa on November 6, and Bolivia on November 9 in their final group-stage match.