tag

Qatar Railways Company (Qatar Rail) announced that the total number of passengers who used the Doha Metro and Lusail Tram networks during the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2025, from Dec. 1 to 18, 2025 reached 4,924,919 passengers, with 4,712,758 passengers travelling by Metro and 212,161 passengers using the Tram, with a daily average of 273,606 passengers across the Metro and Tram networks.The metro and tram played a key role in facilitating the movement of fans and visitors to and from the stadiums of both tournaments, as well as various event zones and key destinations across the country. This was achieved through delivering world-class transportation services and ensuring a safe, reliable, and seamless travel experience throughout the period.The Arab Cup Qatar 2025 was hosted across six stadiums: Lusail Stadium, Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Al Bayt Stadium, Education City Stadium, Khalifa International Stadium, and Stadium 974. Five of these stadiums were located within a short walking distance of metro stations, while fans were able to access Al Bayt Stadium via dedicated shuttle bus services from Lusail QNB Metro Station.Meanwhile, the three final matches of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2025, the Americas Derby, the Challenge Cup, and the Intercontinental Cup Final, were all held at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, which is directly connected to Al Riffa Mall of Qatar Station, on Dec. 10, 13, and 17, respectively.In terms of operational performance, a total of 48,422 train-trips were completed across the Doha Metro and Lusail Tram networks during the period from 1 to 18 December, comprising 41,843 metro trips and 6,579 tram trips.During the tournament, 34% of spectators used the metro to attend matches, while metro usage increased to 50% for the 5 stadiums directly connected to metro stations.On Dec. 18, which coincided with Qatar National Day celebrations, the Arab Cup Final and third-place playoff match, the highest daily ridership of the tournament was recorded, reaching 357,287 passengers, with 347,987 travelling by metro and 9,300 by tram.DECC, Lusail QNB and Msheireb stations were the busiest across the entire metro network. Within the Lusail Tram network, Legtaifiya Station was the busiest.Qatar Rail played a prominent role in supporting the successful hosting of the Arab Cup and the Intercontinental Cup, through the effective operation of its networks, which delivered a successful model for transporting fans and visitors throughout the tournament period. This was achieved through the dedicated efforts of its teams, advance planning, high operational readiness, as well as close coordination with all relevant stakeholders, with the aim of delivering a world-class travel experience.Throughout the Arab Cup period, Qatar Rail continued its efforts to strengthen the role and expertise of engineers and young national cadres across various sectors of the company, reinforcing their contribution to delivering a successful transport operations model through several operational locations. (QNA).   

Goalkeeper Matvei Safonov emerged as the unlikely hero as Paris Saint-Germain edged a resilient Flamengo to win the Intercontinental Cup, sealing their sixth trophy of the season after a dramatic penalty shootout at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium on Wednesday. Safonov, preferred again, with regular goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier still regaining fitness from an ankle injury, saved an astonishing four penalties as PSG triumphed 2-1 in the shootout following a 1-1 draw after extra time. The 26-year-old Russian’s heroics ensured the Parisians ended a glittering year on the highest possible note. Already crowned Ligue 1 champions and winners of the Coupe de France, the Trophee des Champions, the UEFA Champions League, and the UEFA Super Cup, Luis Enrique’s side became only the third club to complete a sextuple, after Barcelona in 2009 and Bayern Munich in 2020. **media[394801]**Before last night, no French side had won the Intercontinental Cup, which was contested for over four decades until 2004, when it was rebranded as the Club World Cup. FIFA revived the competition last year following the revamp of the Club World Cup into a 32-team summer tournament. PSG had lost to Chelsea in the Club World Cup final in the United States in July, having won their maiden Champions League title in May. By no stretch of the imagination was it a smooth sailing for PSG on the night. South American champions Flamengo pushed the Parisians to the limit, matching them stride for stride before Safonov’s brilliance from the spot finally settled the contest.  “We're proud of ourselves, we played a very, very good match, a very good final, against a good team that played with a lot of intensity,” said PSG midfielder Warren Zaire-Emery. “I hope we can continue like this throughout the season. This team has a lot of character; we're showing that we're a team, a collective. That's what the coach wanted when he arrived here. He has always emphasised that to us: the collective comes first. It shows our strength, the kind of team we are.”  Much of the pre-match focus centred on whether newly-crowned FIFA Best Player award winner Ousmane Dembele would start after having been sidelined in the last two matches due to illness. Ultimately, he began on the bench, as did Chevalier, with Safonov retaining his place in goal.  PSG asserted their authority early, dominating possession and pinning Flamengo deep in their own half. Lee Kang-in tested the Brazilian side inside three minutes, while Joao Neves soon followed with another probing effort. The Parisians thought they had struck in the ninth minute when Fabian Ruiz slotted the ball into the net after Flamengo goalkeeper Agustin Rossi mishandled a clearance, but VAR ruled that the ball had already crossed the line earlier in the move.  Rossi was again involved in a decisive moment eight minutes before half-time. Desire Doue’s low cross appeared to have too much pace, but the Argentine keeper diverted it straight to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who reacted quickest to tuck home from close range and give PSG a deserved 1-0 lead.  Flamengo, however, returned with renewed intent after the break. PSG became increasingly passive, and the equaliser arrived just after the hour when skipper Marquinhos clipped Giorgian de Arrascaeta inside the area. Following a VAR review, former Chelsea and Arsenal midfielder Jorginho sent Safonov the wrong way with a stuttering run-up to make it 1-1.  Dembele was introduced with 12 minutes of regulation time remaining as PSG searched for a winner. The clearest chance fell to Marquinhos, but the defender sliced wide from inside the six-yard box, sending the final into extra time. Both sides had opportunities to settle it in the additional period. Flamengo substitute Luiz Araujo snatched at a chance, while Dembele scooped one wide from close range. With no decisive blow landed, penalties were required. Flamengo converted their opening kick through Nicolas de la Cruz, but that proved to be their only success. Safonov denied Saul Niguez, Pedro, Leo Pereira, and Araujo in succession, displaying remarkable composure and anticipation as Flamengo’s hopes evaporated. Even missed attempts by Dembele and Bradley Barcola did not cost PSG.When the final save was made, teammates swarmed Safonov in celebration.

When a penalty shootout comes around, teams rarely take the win with a narrow 2-1 victory. However, the final of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2025 between Paris Saint-Germain and Flamengo at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium was settled by such an anomaly.The reigning European champions and their opponents were locked in a stalemate, and the French club feared that their dream of further title success would slip away in a penalty shootout, but then an unexpected hero emerged in the shape of Matvey Safonov.No one saw him coming to the rescue, especially after the French press expected Lucas Chevalier to return between the Parisian sticks. After all, Jorginho expertly converted a penalty in the 62nd minute past the Russian, and nothing at that point suggested that he would cause such an upset for the Flamengo players by literally getting inside their heads.While he failed to deny Nicolas de la Cruz's opening spot-kick in the decisive shootout, leaving PSG trailing, Safonov, named the player of the match, went on to save attempts from Saul Niguez, Pedro, Leo Pereira and Luiz Araujo in quick succession in what was a truly outstanding performance."He had a great match and of course we all thanked him," said Portuguese defender Nuno Mendes, who had nothing but praise for his goalkeeper after the match. "We're really pleased for him and for the team. I think he showed how good he is today. We've been practising penalties, and thankfully, today he was on hand to save them. He stopped four from the spot in a great penalty shootout."After arriving from Krasnodar in July 2024, the Russian goalkeeper spent much of the following season playing second fiddle to Gianluigi Donnarumma, the architect of Paris Saint-Germain's numerous successes in recent months.While the Italian, newly crowned The Best FIFA Men's Goalkeeper 2025, made the move to Manchester City in September, the Russian - remarkably born on the exact same day - saw Lucas Chevalier join the club as the presumed new number one. However, Safonov was handed his chance when the former Lille player recently picked up an injury. Suffice to say, he seized the opportunity, and was hailed as a hero by his teammates after the match."We've all congratulated him; we're very pleased with him. He was fully focused. He waited for his time to come and showed what he was capable of," said French international Warren Zaire-Emery afterwards. "He's settled in very nicely. He was quick to learn French and is always ready to listen. The team is his primary focus, and he always gives his all. We need players like him who are there to help the group as a whole."The 26-year-old shot-stopper had previously shown his worth in a penalty shootout nearly a year ago. In the last match of 2024, PSG almost got knocked out in the first round of the Coupe de France away to Lens, but Safonov, on duty in the national competition, denied them twice from twelve yards.His team emerged victorious in the end and lifted the trophy a few months later. Despite everything, the Russian still dazzled his manager Luis Enrique on Wednesday, and the coach will have no regrets about his decision to place his trust in him in Doha."I think it's the first time I've seen my keeper save four penalties in a shootout. We're extremely pleased to have won this trophy, and I believe we deserve it," said the Spanish coach, while refusing to speculate on any potential reshuffling of his goalkeeping hierarchy.Whatever the case, PSG's exceptional 2025 is coming to an end. If someone had told their fans following the win at Lens that a year on, another four saves from Safonov in a penalty shootout would secure them a sixth title in 12 months, they probably would not have believed it. Now who knows what the future holds for the club from the French capital? 

The FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2025 Local Organising Committee (LOC) Tuesday announced its full readiness to host the final three matches of the prestigious club competition during a press conference held in Doha.The tournament will be contested at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium from today with FIFA Derby of the Americas pitting Mexico’s Cruz Azul against Brazil’s Flamengo. Two more matches will be held on December 13 and 17, during the rest days of the ongoing FIFA Arab Cup, further showcasing Qatar’s capability to seamlessly stage world-class football events and reinforcing international confidence in its hosting abilities.Organisers highlighted that the tournament has garnered strong interest from regional and international fans alike. Hassan al-Kuwari, LOC Executive Director of Marketing, Promotion and Commercial, said: “Qatar's commitment to hosting world-class tournaments stems from our belief in advancing football at every level. This includes strengthening competition within the GCC region, uniting the Arab world at the Arab Cup, supporting the development of young talent and now welcoming global champions for the FIFA Intercontinental Cup. By hosting multiple tournaments in parallel, we're showcasing the operational excellence that embodies our nation’s vision and reflects the proud sporting legacy of the Arab region.”Roberto Grassi, FIFA Tournament Lead, said: “We are here to announce our readiness to host the third tournament which Qatar is successfully delivering in a few weeks. This is a reaffirmation of the strong partnership with Qatar. We believe in Qatar’s ability to deliver the best tournaments in the world using world class infrastructure. We want to thank all the stakeholders involved in the delivery of these events and look forward to a second edition of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup, one that will echo the success of last year's wonderful tournament.”Organisers also announced that the Doha Metro will be free of charge for ticketholders attending the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Final on December 17, which will see Paris Saint-Germain face the winner of the FIFA Challenger Cup in the tournament’s decisive match. Throughout the competition, the metro will provide comprehensive accessibility services and direct access to Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium via Al Riffa Metro Station (Green Line).Fans travelling to Qatar are encouraged to explore the country’s cultural and entertainment events during their stay in Doha.Tickets are available at www.roadtoqatar.qa. 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] for accessibility tickets start from QAR 20. Fans must download the Road to Qatar app to access their tickets ahead of arrival at the stadium. A maximum of 6 tickets per person can be purchased per match.Qatar successfully hosted the first edition of the Intercontinental Cup in its new format in 2024 when Real Madrid were crowned club champions in front of a sell-out crowd at the iconic 80,000-seat Lusail Stadium.The Intercontinental Cup serves as part of an exhilarating football calendar in Qatar, which also includes the AGCFF U-23 Gulf Cup and the FIFA Arab Cup, showcasing the nation’s continued ability to deliver world-class sporting events.Tournament Schedule:FIFA Derby of the AmericasWednesday, December 10 | 8pmCruz Azul (Mexico) v CR Flamengo (Brazil) at Ahmad bin Ali StadiumFIFA Challenger CupSaturday, December 13 | 8pmFIFA Derby of the Americas winner v Pyramids FC (Egypt) at Ahmad bin Ali StadiumFIFA Intercontinental Cup FinalWednesday, December 17 | 8pmParis Saint-Germain (France) v FIFA Challenger Cup winner at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium 

The Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2025 presented by Aramco and FIFA have announced that Qatar will host the final three matches of the prestigious club competition in December of this year. The annual competition will crown the best club in world football for 2025, with teams vying for the FIFA Derby of the Americas™, FIFA Challenger Cup™ and FIFA Intercontinental Cup™ trophies. Matches will take place on 10, 13 and 17 December. Qatar has successfully hosted the annual club showpiece three times before, in 2019, 2020 and most recently in 2024 when Real Madrid were crowned club champions in front of a sell-out crowd at theiconic 80-000-seater Lusail Stadium, host of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ final match. The following matches will be played in Qatar: Match 3: 10 December 2025, Doha, Qatar | FIFA Derby of the Americas™ Concacaf Champions Cup 2025 winners, Cruz Azul (Mexico) vs Winners of the CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores 2025 Match 4: 13 December, 2025, Doha, Qatar | FIFA Challenger Cup™ CAF Champions League 2025 champions, Pyramids FC (Egypt) vs Winners of Match 3 Match 5: 17 December, 2025, Doha, Qatar | FIFA Intercontinental Cup™ UEFA Champions Leagues 2025 champions, Paris Saint-Germain (France) vs Winners of Match 4 The FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2025™ adds to an exciting two months of world-class football in the country. Qatar is also set to host the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™ from 3 - 27 November 2025, as well as the FIFA Arab Cup 2025™, the second edition of the regional tournament, from 1 - 18 December 2025. The FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2025 will take place during the rest days of the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025, showcasing Qatar’s ability to host multiple sporting events at the same time. All tournament venues will be connected seamlessly to public transportation and will offer barrier-free experience to disabled fans. For all tournament related updates, follow @RoadtoQatar on all major social media platforms.