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Wednesday, February 11, 2026 | Daily Newspaper published by GPPC Doha, Qatar.

Tag Results for "Arab" (189 articles)

Gulf Times
Sport

FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025: 14 teams eye seven qualifying spots

Fourteen national teams willl compete in the qualification stage to secure seven spots for the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025, which will be hosted in Doha from Dec. 1 to 18. The teams will compete for these spots through qualification matches held in the Qatari capital.The seven qualification matches will take place on Nov. 25 and 26. The opening match will feature Mauritania against Kuwait tomorrow at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium at Al Sadd Sports Club. It is an unpredictable encounter between two teams with strong players, each aiming to book a place once again in this major Arab competition.The Kuwaiti national team enter the qualifiers relying on their history in the Arab Cup, having participated in eight of the previous ten editions. They aim to bounce back from failing to qualify for the most recent edition, hosted by Qatar in 2021, after losing to Bahrain 2-0 in the qualifiers, as well as from exiting the third round of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026 . Meanwhile, Mauritania aim to secure what would be their third appearance in the tournament, having featured in the 1985 edition in Saudi Arabia and the 2021 edition in Qatar, while also seeking to bounce back from missing out on qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations to be held in Morocco at the end of December.In another match, Syria will face South Sudan at Grand Hamad Stadium at Al Arabi Club. On paper, Syria holds the advantage given the strong quality of the players, in addition to the expected large support from Syrian fans in Doha, who enjoyed the atmosphere of the tournament's previous edition.South Sudan, on the other hand, hope to qualify for the Arab Cup for the first time and to overcome the disappointment of failing to reach the previous edition after their 3-0 loss to Jordan in the qualifiers.Syria seek not only to qualify but also to achieve strong results in the upcoming edition after exiting the group stage last time. The team finished third in their group with three points from a single victory over Tunisia (2-0) and two losses to the UAE and Mauritania by identical scorelines (1-2).Meanwhile, Palestine will face Libya Tuesday at Thani bin Jassim Stadium at Al Gharafa Club in another unpredictable match, given the close level between the two teams and their shared determination to secure a qualifying spot.Libya hop to return to the Arab Cup after failing to reach the finals in the last edition, following a 1-0 loss to Sudan. The team looks to build on the strong performances shown during the African qualifiers for the World Cup 2026, despite not succeeding in reaching the tournament.Palestine, in turn, seeks to qualify for the finals once again after reaching the previous edition by defeating Comoros in the qualifiers. However, they exited in the group stage after a 0-4 loss to Morocco and 1-5 to Jordan, and a 1-1- draw with Saudi Arabia. Four matches will be held on Wednesday, as part of the qualifiers for the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025, which will be hosted by Doha from Dec.1-18.The first match will see Oman face Somalia at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, a repeat of their encounter in the qualifiers for the previous edition of the tournament, which ended at that time in a 2-1 victory for Oman.The Somali national team seeks to achieve the goal it failed to reach in the last edition, while the Omani team aims to qualify for the second time in its history after securing a place through the previous qualifiers.Oman delivered satisfactory results in the 2021 Arab Cup, advancing to the second round with four points after defeating Bahrain (3-0), drawing with Iraq (1-1), and losing to Qatar (1-2), before being eliminated by Tunisia (1-2) in the quarterfinals.At Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, Djibouti will face Bahrain in a match where Djibouti seeks to make its first-ever appearance in the Arab Cup, after failing to qualify in the previous edition following a 1-0 loss to Lebanon. In contrast, Bahrain hopes to return to the tournament and go further than it did in the previous edition after it exited in the group stage with just one point from a goalless draw with Iraq and two losses to Qatar and Oman (0-1 and 0-3 respectively).Although the odds are in Bahrain's favor due to its greater experience and capabilities, Djibouti dreams of causing an upset to secure its first-ever appearance in the upcoming edition.Grand Hamad Stadium will host another match between Comoros and Yemen, with both sides sharing a single aim: qualifying for the tournament. Comoros hopes to make its first Arab Cup appearance and to redeem its failure in the previous qualifiers when it lost to Palestine.On the other hand, the Yemeni national team seeks victory and a return to the Arab Cup atmosphere after failing to qualify for the last edition held in Doha in 2021, where it lost against Mauritania 2-0.The Arab Cup Qatar 2025 qualifiers will conclude with a strong match between Sudan and Lebanon at Thani bin Jassim Stadium, a match expected to feature fierce competition between two teams eager to secure their place in the major Arab event. 

Gulf Times
Sport

Popular Arab character Juha comes to life as Arab Cup mascot

Inspired by arguably the most popular character from the history of Arab literature, Juha embodies the rich folkloric traditions of the region. Often depicted as a clumsy and slow-witted man who finds himself in humorous situations due to his strange antics, Juha’s tales, wildly popular across generations in the Arab world, always ends up in a revelation of profound wisdom.The beloved folklore hero will come to life, joining in the festivities of the FIFA Arab Cup, that will once again unite Arab fans for a unique celebration of the region’s vibrant culture and shared passion for football. A total of 16 teams will have a chance to lift the coveted Arab Cup 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 November 25-26 in Qatar. Arab Cup ticket are available at: www.roadtoqatar.qa, with prices starting from QR25.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]. The 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. The Arab Cup is part of several tournaments that Qatar will be hosting up until the end of the year, including the ongoing FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 from November 3-27.Qatar will also be hosting the second edition of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup on December 10, 13, and 17.

Gulf Times
Sport

FIFA Arab Cup 2025: Over six decades of rich history culminating on global Stage

The Arab Cup boasts a rich history spanning more than six decades, from its inaugural edition in 1963 to its eleventh edition, which will be hosted in Doha from Dec. 1 to 18.The Arab Cup was conceived as a unique sporting event aimed at bringing together Arab national teams in a competitive atmosphere, fostering Arab unity through sport, and projecting a positive image of the Arab region to the world.The tournament has consistently drawn the attention of Arab fans for its nationalist significance and as an opportunity to showcase Arab football talents beyond the global spotlight. However, the tournament has faced irregularity over the nine editions held from the first in Lebanon to the ninth in Saudi Arabia in 2012, under the direct supervision of the Arab Football Federation. Various circumstances prevented the tournament from maintaining a consistent schedule, with fluctuating numbers of participating teams.The tenth edition, hosted by Doha in 2021, marked a historic turning point for the Arab Cup, serving as a distinctive step toward global recognition after the tournament received FIFA’s official acknowledgment for the first time.FIFA’s decision to recognize the Arab Cup sought to create a unique and high-quality experience to test the facilities that Qatar had built to host the FIFA World Cup 2022, including stadiums and infrastructure, as it was the first World Cup held in the Middle East and the Arab region. The remarkable success of both the Arab Cup and the World Cup finals prompted FIFA to formalize the tournament under its umbrella for three upcoming editions: beginning with the next edition in 2025, followed by 2029 and 2033. All three tournaments are planned to be hosted in Qatar to ensure the same momentum and success achieved during the tenth edition and the World Cup 2022.The idea of the Arab Cup originated with the Lebanese Football Federation in 1962, aiming to create an Arab sporting tournament that would bring together young Arab athletes and elevate the level of football in the region. The concept was embraced by other Arab countries such as Tunisia, Syria, Jordan, and Kuwait, alongside Lebanon, all of which expressed interest in establishing the first edition.The inaugural tournament was held in a single-stage league format, with Tunisia claiming the title after earning seven points from four matches, becoming the first champions in the competition’s history. Syria finished as runners-up, while the host nation, Lebanon, secured third place.The second edition was held in Kuwait in 1964, marking the first participation for teams such as Libya and Iraq, while Lebanon, Kuwait, and Jordan took part for the second time. The tournament featured five teams again and was organized in the same single-stage league format as the first edition, with Iraq claiming the title after collecting seven points.The third edition took place in Iraq in 1966, with wider participation as the number of teams increased to ten. The tournament adopted a new format, dividing the teams into two groups.Libya, Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon advanced to the semi-finals. Syria defeated Lebanon 1-0, while Iraq overcame Libya 3-2. In the final, Iraq won the title for the second consecutive time by beating Syria 2-1, and Libya secured third place after a 6-1 victory over Lebanon.The tournament then went on a hiatus of nearly nineteen years, returning with the fourth edition in Saudi Arabia in 1985. This edition saw the debut of Qatar national team, alongside five other teams, forming a total of six teams divided into two groups.Qatar reached the semi-finals alongside Bahrain, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. Iraq defeated Saudi Arabia 3-2, while Qatar lost to Bahrain in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in regular time.Iraq claimed its third consecutive title by defeating Bahrain 1-0 in the final, and Saudi Arabia secured third place by beating Qatar on penalties following a goalless draw.The fifth edition was hosted in Amman, Jordan, in 1988, featuring ten teams divided into two groups. Jordan, Syria, Egypt, and Iraq advanced to the semi-finals. Iraq defeated Jordan 3-0, while Syria overcame Egypt on penalties after a goalless draw.In the final, Iraq triumphed over Syria on penalties to win its fourth consecutive title, with Egypt finishing third following a 2-0 victory over host nation Jordan.The sixth edition took place in Syria in 1992 with only six teams, divided into two groups. Egypt, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Syria advanced to the semi-finals, where Saudi Arabia defeated Kuwait 2-0, and Egypt overcame Syria on penalties after a goalless draw.In the final, Egypt beat Saudi Arabia 3-2 to claim its first Arab Cup title, while Kuwait finished third by defeating Syria 2-1.Qatar made history as a host for the first time when Doha welcomed the seventh edition in 1998, featuring a record number of 12 Arab national teams. The teams were divided into three groups for the competition.Al-Annabi advanced to the semifinals alongside Kuwait, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. Qatar then reached the final after defeating the UAE 2-1, setting up a meeting with Saudi Arabia, which had overcome Kuwait by the same score. In the championship match, Qatar fell 3-1 to finish as runners-up, while the UAE claimed third place with a 4-1 victory over Kuwait.A four-year gap returned between the seventh and eighth editions, with the latter held in Kuwait in late 2002 and featuring ten teams divided into two groups. Jordan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain qualified for the semifinals. Saudi Arabia defeated Morocco 2-0, while Bahrain edged Jordan 2-1.In the final, Saudi Arabia clinched the title with a golden goal after the match ended goalless in regular time.After a decade-long hiatus, the tournament returned with its ninth edition, hosted by Saudi Arabia in 2012. This edition featured 11 teams, grouped into three pools for the first time.Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Libya, and Iraq reached the semifinals. Libya beat Saudi Arabia 2-0, while Morocco defeated Iraq 2-1. The final brought together Libya and Morocco, with Morocco securing its first-ever title after winning on penalties following 1-1 draw in regular and extra time. Iraq finished third after 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia.A new chapter unfolded in the history of the Arab Cup when the tournament returned after a nine-year absence, re-emerging in a completely new form that lifted it out of its previous cycle of irregular appearances and inconsistent organization. The competition had long struggled with recurring crises, logistical challenges, a lack of sponsors, and the absence of a fixed structure or format.The tenth edition, hosted by Doha in 2021, marked the tournament's transformation from a regional event into a global one. Qatar secured official recognition from FIFA, making it the first Arab Cup to be held under the umbrella of world football's governing body.This edition introduced sweeping changes in format, regulations, and overall structure. For the first time, the scale of participation required a qualification stage to narrow the field to 16 teams. Fourteen teams competed in the preliminary qualifiers, from which seven advanced to join the nine highest-ranked Arab teams who qualified directly, based on the FIFA World Ranking ahead of the draw.The tournament's matches were held across six stadiums that would later host FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 games, drawing exceptional crowds and showcasing a remarkable level of footballing quality.Algeria claimed the title after defeating Tunisia 2-0 in the final, while host nation Qatar secured third place with a 5-4 penalty shootout win over Egypt following a goalless draw in regular and extra time.The tournament marked the first-ever use of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in the Arab Cup. It also recorded unprecedented attendance levels, with stadiums - whose minimum capacity stood at 40,000 - reaching an average occupancy of nearly 80 percent. The event saw the highest single-match attendance in the tournament's history: 63,439 spectators for Qatar-UAE quarterfinal at Al Bayt Stadium.In the all-time records of the Arab Cup since its launch in 1963, Iraq stands as the most successful team, winning the title on four occasions (1964, 1966, 1985, and 1988). Saudi Arabia follows with two titles, earned in the 1998 and 2002 editions. Four other nations have each lifted the trophy once: Tunisia in 1963, Egypt in 1992, Morocco in 2012, and Algeria in 2021.Jordan is the tournament's most frequent participant, appearing in nine out of ten editions and playing 38 matches in total. It is followed by Kuwait and Lebanon, each of which took part in eight editions and played 30 matches. Saudi Arabia and Syria both appeared in seven editions, with Saudi Arabia holding the edge in total matches played (29 compared to Syria's 28).  

Gulf Times
Qatar

NCSA President: Arab Cyber Exercise reflects Qatar's commitment to regional cybersecurity

His Excellency President of the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) Eng Abdulrahman Ali Muhammad al-Farahid al-Malki affirmed that the First Arab Cyber Exercise embodies Qatar's steadfast commitment to strengthening the cybersecurity framework in the region. In his remarks to Qatar News Agency (QNA), His Excellency al-Malki stated that the first Arab Cyber Drill, hosted in Doha under the umbrella of the Council of Arab Cybersecurity Ministers, serves as a joint operational platform aimed at enhancing digital readiness, boosting cyber incident response capabilities, and developing coordination mechanisms among Arab states.He added that organizing this exercise reflects a strategic Arab vision to confront growing cyber threats, especially those that transcend borders, which require an advanced regional co-operation infrastructure, effective information sharing, and the use of cutting-edge tools and technologies in threat detection, digital forensics, and offensive and defensive testing.He emphasized that NCSA believes Qatar's cyberspace security is an integral part of the broader Arab cybersecurity system. He noted that the agency is committed to fostering strong partnerships with sister Arab nations to elevate the level of Arab cyber integration and to build national and regional capabilities capable of countering any digital threats or attacks targeting critical infrastructure or information domains.He explained that this exercise represents a pivotal step in enhancing joint Arab cybersecurity and contributes to solidifying Qatar's position as a leading regional hub in supporting digital protection initiatives and promoting cyber stability in the region.The Arab Cyber Exercise is being held for the first time with Qatar as host, as part of its initiatives within the Council of Arab Cybersecurity Ministers, in line with a strategic approach to bolster joint Arab cybersecurity.The exercise was held on the sidelines of the 12th edition of the National Cyber Drill, which began on November 16 under the theme "Cross-Border Attacks," with the participation of numerous national entities and institutions in a simulation exercise reflecting real-world challenges facing critical digital infrastructure.Through its annual cyber drills, NCSA aims to enhance the efficiency of national entities and institutions and raise their cyber readiness by identifying vulnerabilities, addressing them, and fortifying systems, thus contributing to the establishment of an advanced national cybersecurity framework.

Gulf Times
Qatar

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

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

Gulf Times
Qatar

Qatar attends Arab justice ministers council in Cairo

Qatar participated in the 41st session of the Arab Ministers of Justice Council, held Wednesday at the headquarters of the Arab League in Cairo. The Qatari delegation was led by His Excellency Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Ibrahim bin Ali bin Issa al-Hassan al-Mohannadi. In his speech, he reaffirmed Qatar's commitment to strengthening Arab legal and judicial co-operation. He highlighted Qatar's initiatives aimed at building sustainable justice for future generations, focusing on investment legislation, emerging technologies, governance, and dispute resolution mechanisms. The minister emphasised the role of the judicial sector in supporting investment and praised the Doha Political Declaration adopted at the Second World Summit for Social Development 2025 in Doha as a roadmap for promoting social justice, peace, security, and human rights. **media[381108]** His Excellency al-Mohannadi also expressed Qatar's gratitude to the Arab League and national committees on international humanitarian law for their collaboration in developing Qatar's proposal to establish a permanent Arab committee on international humanitarian law. He described the initiative as a milestone in Arab joint action, giving the Arab world a unified legal voice in defending justice and human dignity in conflict zones. During the session, the council discussed a range of Arab legal and legislative initiatives, including the Arab convention on combating terrorism, the Arab convention on combating money laundering and financing of terrorism, the Arab convention on cybercrime, and the Arab anti-corruption convention. The meeting also reviewed draft Arab model laws, including legislation on hate speech, protection and assistance for displaced persons, refugee status in Arab states, and the protection of children from recruitment in armed conflicts. Ministers additionally discussed measures to enhance Arab co-operation, including co-ordination between the Arab Ministries of Justice and Interior, the creation of an Arab excellence award in applied legal sciences, and the review of recommendations from the 74th meeting of the Arab Ministers of Justice Executive Office.

Gulf Times
Sport

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

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

Gulf Times
Qatar

Qatar attends Arab transport ministers’ council session

Qatar Tuesday participated in the 38th Session of the Council of Arab Ministers of Transport, in Cairo.The Qatari delegation was headed by His Excellency the Minister of Transport Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Mohammed al-Thani.The meeting discussed several topics on the areas of pan-Arab ground, maritime, air, and multimodal transportation, including regulating the road transportation of passengers and goods between and across Arab countries, creating a comprehensive Arab e-platform for road, rail, maritime and multimodal transportation, and unifying Hazmat transportation protocols.The meeting also discussed a study on approving the components of smart and sustainable transportation as a reference for developing transportation strategies, in addition to developing and sharing information on transportation, warehousing and logistics transportation strategies, promoting the use of clean energy in ground transportation, exchanging lessons learnt and expertise, and assessing the efficiency of goods and passenger transportation across the member states.

Gulf Times
Sport

Big names rested, fresh faces called up for Qatar’s friendly against Zimbabwe

Head coach Julen Lopetegui has unveiled Qatar’s 26-player squad for the upcoming training camp and international friendly against Zimbabwe, set for November 17 at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha. The match, kicking off at 7:30pm, is part of Qatar’s preparations for the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 and the FIFA World Cup 2026.The new squad blends seasoned internationals with emerging talents from across the Qatar Stars League. However, several star players have been rested, including attacking duo Akram Afif and Almoez Ali. Defenders Boualem Khoukhi, Karim Boudiaf and Pedro Miguel, along with winger Edmilson Junior and midfielder Abdulaziz Hatem also among those sitting out this fixture.Lopetegui said the November camp is an opportunity to give younger players international exposure and to assess tactical options as Qatar continues building toward next year’s World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.The draw for the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 has placed the home side in Group A, alongside Tunisia, the winner of the Syria–South Sudan play-off, Palestine, and Libya.Qatar squad: Ahmed Suhail, Tariq Salman, Mohammed Waad, Meshaal Barsham (GK), Mustafa Tariq (Al Sadd); Ahmed Al Janahi, Ayoub Mohammed, Mohammed Muntari (Al Gharafa); Tahseen Mohammed, Sultan Al Buraik, Hammam Al Amin, Youssef Ayman (Al Duhail); Ahmed Alaa, Jassim Jaber, Mahmoud Abu Nada (GK) (Al Rayyan); Ahmed Fathi, Al Hashemi, Al Hussein Mohammed Khaled (Al Arabi); Asim Madibo, Lucas Mendes, Nabil Irfan (Al Wakrah); Ahmed Al Rawi (Qatar SC); Khaled Ali (Al Sailiya); Khaled Mohammed (Al Ahli); Shehab Al Laithi (GK) (Al Shahaniya); and Mohammed Manaei (Al Shamal).Vale calls up 26 players for U-23 national team campPortuguese coach Elidio Vale has also announced a 26-player roster for Qatar’s U-23 national team as preparations intensify for the 2026 AFC U-23 Championship in Saudi Arabia.Qatar have been drawn in Group B for the continental finals, alongside two-time champions Japan, the UAE, and Syria. The team qualified after topping their group with a perfect record of nine points from three matches, finishing ahead of India (6 points), Bahrain (3), and Brunei (0).U-23 squadMohamed Ali, Mohamed Hani, Moaz Ibrahim, Abubakr Mohamed (GK), Abdullah Mujeeb, Bassam Adel (Calahorra FC, Spain), Ahmed Al Hashemi (Alcorcón, Spain), Ali Mohammed, Nour El-Din Ibrahim, Ahmed Riad, Jassim Al Sharshani (Al Ahli), Ghanem Al Minhali, Mubarak Shanan, Amir Hassan (GK) (Al Duhail), Muath Al Wadiyya, Anas Abdel Salam, Abdel Aziz Mohammed (Al Shahaniya), Mehdi Al Muajaba, Abdul Rahman Bakri (Al Sadd), Marwan Sharif (Al Arabi), Mustafa Al Sayed (Al Rayyan), Ahmed Hajana (Al Khor), Hassan Al Gharib (Lusail), Saif Al Din Hassan (Al Gharafa), Fares Saeed (Umm Salal), and Ali Ghlais (GK) (Al Shamal).

Gulf Times
Qatar

Qatar supports Arab environmental efforts

Qatar, represented by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, participated in the meetings of the 36th session of the Council of Arab Ministers Responsible for Environmental Affairs, hosted by the Mauritanian capital, Nouakchott. The Qatari delegation to the meetings was headed by HE the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Dr Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Subaie, who affirmed in his address Qatar’s unwavering commitment to supporting joint Arab environmental efforts and strengthening regional and international co-operation to achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and protect natural resources for the benefit of future generations. On the sidelines of the session, HE the minister held meetings with a number of ministers and heads of participating bodies. He discussed with them aspects of environmental co-operation, co-ordinating Arab positions in international forums, and prospects for partnership in regional and international initiatives aimed at combating desertification and addressing the challenges associated with drought, particularly in developing countries.

Gulf Times
Qatar

Excitement builds with 30 days to go until the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025

Only 30 days remain for the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar, as excitement builds for the Arab world’s biggest tournament taking place from December 1-18.The prestigious tournament returns to Qatar for a second time, following the successful delivery of the Arab Cup in 2021, which was the first time that the tournament was held under the auspices of FIFA. This year’s edition has set a new benchmark with the total prize money exceeding $36.5mn (approximately QR132.9mn), with the Arab Cup now joining the ranks of the world’s major international football tournaments.A total of 16 teams will have a chance to lift the coveted Arab Cup trophy. Nine of the highest ranked teams have qualified automatically, while 14 teams will vie for the remaining seven spots in a series of qualifiers. Current champions Algeria will look to defend their title, whereas hosts Qatar will look to lift their first Arab Cup trophy.Ticket sales went live on September 30, with fans from across the region gearing up to see their favourite teams in action. Tickets were in highest demand amongst supporters of the Qatar, Jordan, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia and Egypt national teams.Arab Cup tickets can be purchased exclusively on: www.roadtoqatar.qa. This includes tickets for the qualifiers taking place ahead of the tournament on November 25-26 in Qatar, which will see fans eagerly rooting for their national teams in the determining matches.Ticket prices start from QR25. 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. All tickets are digital and include accessible seating options for disabled fans.As Qatar gets ready to welcome the world once again, regional and international fans making their way to the country can choose from affordable travel packages by national carrier Qatar Airways.Throughout the competition, fans will be treated to a variety of entertainment and cultural activities around Qatar. All venues are connected seamlessly by public transport and will offer a barrier-free experience to all.The tournament will kick off on December 1, 7:30pm, at Al Bayt Stadium featuring hosts Qatar and the winner of Palestine vs Libya. The final will be held on December 18, 7pm, at the iconic Lusail Stadium. Other stadiums that will host matches during the tournament are Ahmad Bin Ali, Education City, Khalifa International Stadium and Stadium 974.

The section 'Infrastructure: Traces of a Legacy' examines the museum as a complex case study rooted in the vision of artist and collector Sheikh Hassan bin Mohammed bin Ali al-Thani. PICTURES: Joey Aguilar
Qatar

Mathaf’s landmark exhibitions reflect on its roots, realities of resistance

Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art opened “Resolutions: Celebrating 15 years of Mathaf Exhibition” and “we refuse_d” to the public Friday, honouring its roots in Sheikh Hassan bin Mohammed bin Ali al-Thani’s foundational collection and confronting the struggles of artists who face censorship and displacement.“Resolutions”, on view until August 8, 2026, explores the institution’s journey, showcasing four areas that cover its origins and impact on the region.The section “Infrastructure: Traces of a Legacy”, curated by Fatima Mostafawi, examines the museum as a complex case study rooted in the vision of artist and collector Sheikh Hassan.It details how Doha emerged as an artistic hub during the political turmoil of the 1990s and includes archival materials like letters, photographs, and video interviews that capture Sheikh Hassan’s role as both fellow artist and patron.The exhibition continues its self-examination with “Mathaf as Institutional Memory: An Exhibition History”, curated by Hadeel al-Kohaji, which chronicles the “kaleidoscopic range” of exhibitions the museum has hosted.This section utilises an elaborate timeline and backstage documents to foster a sense of institutional memory, valuing the museum’s publications, graphic design, and international partnerships.“Resolution” broadens its scope to the regional impact of art, featuring “Education: Art as Knowledge Creation”, curated by Noora Abdulmajeed.This underscores the foundational role of art education in cultivating revolutionary possibilities and knowledge circulation within the Arab world.“Representation and the Writing of History”, curated by Arthur Debsi, spotlights how artists in West Asia and North Africa used a shared visual language in the post-independence era to define a Pan-Arab ideology and continuous resistance, especially in relation to the occupation of Palestine.Addressing contemporary issues, “we refuse_d” exhibition, curated by Nadia Radwan and Vasif Kortun, brings together 15 artists whose practices explore refusal, endurance, and action.On view until February 9, 2026, this exhibition asks critical questions about how to persist, resist, and create under conditions of silencing, censorship, and displacement.Speaking to the media, Kortun said: “To see other people’s misery it’s not what we really wanted to do and we kind of turned the idea of refusal around its head... we know of the concrete cases of cancelations but what we don’t know is the untold, or unwritten or unknowable history of refusals and cancellations.”Among the highlights of this exhibition are Abdul Hay Mosallam Zarara’s *Untitled, from the Mahmoud Darwish series (2008), the newly commissioned installation *Resonance (2025) by Majd Abdel Hamid, Samia Halaby’s *Six Golden Heroes (2021), and Taysir Batniji’s early work *Untitled (1997).