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Iran set up a final showdown with France at the U17 World Volleyball Championship Doha 2026 after beating Argentina 3-0 in the semi-finals on Friday.  In what was an entertaining clash, Iran won 25-19, 29-27, 25-13.  Iran dominated the opening set before the second set produced a fiercely contested battle that extended into extra points, with Iranians eventually edging it.  Iran then maintained their superiority in the third set, winning it by a wide margin to confirm their place in the final.Iran have continued their impressive run in the tournament with an unbeaten record.  They topped Pool E with a perfect nine points from three consecutive victories before defeating Chinese Taipei 3-0 in the Round of 16.  They then secured a thrilling 3-2 victory over Pakistan in the quarter-finals in a marathon encounter that went to the deciding set.Argentina's campaign, meanwhile, came to an end in the semi-finals after they produced a strong run in the tournament.  They eliminated Italy, the champions of the inaugural edition, before overcoming Poland 3-0 in the quarter-finals.  France had already secured the first spot in the final after defeating Brazil 3-1 in the semi-finals, coming from behind after losing the opening set.  France reached the final after topping Pool A with a perfect record of three wins against Tunisia, Qatar and Venezuela.  They then defeated Spain in the Round of 16 and Romania 3-0 in the quarterfinals.The final of the second edition of the championship will be played on Saturday at 5pm at the Women's Sports Hall in Aspire Zone.  The third-place playoff between Brazil and Argentina will take place at 2pm.  The final day of competition will also be attended by Fabio Azevedo, President of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), who is visiting Qatar as part of the strong relations and ongoing cooperation between the FIVB and the Qatar Volleyball Association.

As part of the State of Qatar's preparations to host the FIVB Volleyball Men's U-17 World Championship from Aug. 19-29, 2026, the organizing committee convened a coordination meeting to follow up on the latest updates regarding these preparations.The meeting, held virtually, was chaired by President of the Qatar Volleyball Association (QVA) Ali Ghanem Al Kuwari, with members of the supervising committees in attendance.The meeting took stock of several matters pertaining to the organizational, technical, media and logistical preparations to ensure all committees remain focused ahead of the launch.As such, Al Kuwari hailed the tremendous efforts of the committee members and tournament workers, emphasizing the importance of constant cooperation in the spirit of teamwork and exerting utmost efforts to ensure a successful global championship in an image that aligns with the State of Qatar's stature and capability of hosting and organizing major global sporting tournaments.He urged all workers to steadfastly continue their collaboration throughout the upcoming phase so as to help achieve the intended goals of this tournament and showcase a superb experience to teams, participating delegations, guests and spectators. 

More than just a volleyball tournament, the BMKQ Women One-Day Volleyball League 2026 brought together 11 Filipino community teams in Qatar to promote sportsmanship, healthy living and worker welfare while strengthening ties among community organisations and labour-support institutions.  Held at Valley Forge Academy Qatar on June 26 with the support of Bayanihan Qatar, a federation of more than 20 Filipino community organisations, the event drew around 150 participants, including athletes, organisers, volunteers, officials and supporters.  Organisers said the tournament went beyond competition, serving as a platform to foster teamwork, camaraderie and community engagement while encouraging active lifestyles among Filipinos in Qatar. “The one-day volleyball league successfully achieved its objectives by promoting physical fitness, wellness and active lifestyles, while strengthening camaraderie and collaboration among Filipino community organisations in Qatar,” BMKQ Women said in its post-activity report.The organisation added that the event also strengthened partnerships between community organisations, labour-support institutions and stakeholders committed to workers’ welfare, while providing a safe and inclusive environment for sports and recreation. BMKQ president Engineer Joseph Catarungan welcomed the participating teams, partners, volunteers and guests, highlighting the role of sport in promoting unity, friendship, discipline and personal well-being. In her keynote address, Lulwa al-Merehi, public relations researcher at the Workers Support and Insurance Fund, speaking on behalf of executive director Khulood Saif Abdullah al-Kubaisi, underscored the importance of initiatives that promote workers’ welfare, physical wellness and social inclusion. She commended BMKQ Women for organising an activity that not only encouraged healthy living but also strengthened community bonds.Marco Polo Ferrer, community liaison officer of the Building and Wood Workers’ International, also stressed the value of sports in fostering cooperation, mutual respect and solidarity among workers and communities. Before the tournament, participants attended a heat stress awareness session that provided practical guidance on recognising symptoms of heat stress and heat exhaustion, proper hydration, preventive measures during physical activities and appropriate responses to heat-related emergencies.  According to BMKQ Women, the session underlines the organisers’ commitment to promoting occupational safety, health and well-being, particularly during Qatar’s summer months.  The event also received a boost from the presence of Philippine Consul General Cassandra B Sawadjaan, who lauded the organisers and participants for their commitment to sportsmanship, community engagement and healthy living. She encouraged continued support for activities that promote unity, friendship and the welfare of Filipinos in Qatar.  After a full day of competition, BIMAAK Igorota Aces emerged champions, followed by Bayanihang Domestic Workers Qatar as first runners-up and Serve Squad in third place.  The tournament featured 11 teams representing Filipino organisations in Qatar, including Dragon Chapter GABII, Bantay at Kasangga ng OFW International-Qatar Chapter, Volleyball Buffs of Expats in Qatar, Ace Sizzlers, BIMAAK Igorota Aces, Bayanihang Domestic Workers Qatar, Serve Squad, OFW International Kasangga, OFW Advocates International, Qatar Pinay Nannies Association and The Guardians Brotherhood Inc – The Original.

The Qatari beach volleyball squad, composed of the duo Sherif Younes and Ahmed Tijan, continued strong performances at the Ostrava Beach Volleyball World Tour stop in Ostrava, Czech Republic, in what can be described as a victory lap, securing qualification to the quarterfinal stage on merit.The squad earned the qualification on Saturday after a well-deserved victory over the Swedish pair Holting Nilsson and Andersson in straight sets, 2-0 (21-19, 21-18), in a highly competitive Round of 16 match.The Qatari duo demonstrated powerful coordination and superb performance throughout all phases of the encounter.Qatar will face the Argentine pair Nicolas and Tomas Capogrosso in the quarterfinals. The Argentine duo reached this stage after taking on Brazil's Andre and Renato in the Round of 16, winning by two sets to one in a strong match in which they confirmed their readiness to compete for top positions.The Qatari pair began their tournament campaign with a victory over Latvia before defeating France in the group stage.Despite suffering a narrow defeat against the US duo, they maintained a strong presence among the world's elite teams.The Ostrava tournament concludes on Sunday as one of the key stops on the Volleyball World Beach Tour Elite 16 - Ostrava series, featuring the world's top-ranked teams.

Qatar’s beach volleyball duo of Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan qualified for the round of 16 at the Ostrava Elite16 in Czech Republic after securing their second victory of the tournament on Friday. The Qatari pair defeated France’s Elouan Chouikh and Joadel Genevieve-Gardoque in straight sets 21-15, 21-17 in their third Group Two match to continue their impressive run in the Beach Pro Tour event. Cherif and Ahmed had earlier suffered a narrow three-set defeat to American duo Taylor Crabb and Andrew Benesh in the second round after a closely fought contest that ended 21-16, 20-22, 15-11. The Qatari team had opened their campaign with a straight-sets victory over Latvia’s Bedritis and Rinkevics in the first round. Cherif and Ahmed will next face Sweden’s young duo Jacob Hölting Nilsson and Elmer Andersson in the round of 16 on Saturday.

Qatari teams wrapped up their campaign at the Asian Beach Games – Sanya 2026 in style, finishing with an impressive haul of two gold medals in 3x3 basketball and beach volleyball, along with a silver in beach handball, further cementing their status as a dominant force on the continental stage. Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan delivered a standout performance, clinching beach volleyball gold with a commanding straight-sets victory over Iran in the final 2-0 (21–15, 21–12). The duo showcased remarkable consistency throughout the tournament, topping Group B unbeaten before powering past the Maldives, Uzbekistan, and China in the knockout rounds, and defeating Thailand in the semi-finals on their way to the title. Thailand went on to secure bronze after a 2–0 win against Oman. This triumph adds another chapter to Qatar’s strong legacy in regional beach volleyball, building on their success at the Asian Beach Games 2014 and the Asian Beach Games 2016, where they claimed gold and silver respectively. Qatar Volleyball Federation President Ali Ghanem al-Kuwari dedicated the achievement to the nation’s leadership, stating: “We dedicate this gold medal to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, in recognition of their unwavering support and patronage of sport. We also dedicate this success to the Qatari people, who consistently stand behind their national teams. This accomplishment is the result of a long-term vision built on sustained effort and careful planning.” He added: “The leadership of Sheikh Joaan has played a pivotal role in elevating Qatar’s sporting presence across Asia, positively influencing volleyball and other disciplines. It has strengthened the country’s reputation as a key contributor to the development of sport on the continent, while instilling greater confidence in our national teams as they compete on the international stage.” Qatar’s men’s 3x3 basketball team were also crowned champions after a commanding 21-10 victory over Thailand in the final, capping an outstanding run at the tournament. Qatar opened the knockout stage with a hard-fought 18-16 win against China in a fast-paced, high-intensity semi-final, before carrying that momentum into a one-sided final where they controlled proceedings from start to finish. Thailand had booked their place in the final with a narrow 20–18 victory over the Philippines, while China secured the bronze medal after defeating the Philippines 21-13 in the third-place play-off. Despite the physical and mental demands of playing multiple matches in a single day, the Qatari side displayed remarkable composure. Their trademark fast tempo, sharp execution, and ability to capitalise on scoring opportunities proved decisive as they sealed a well-deserved gold medal. Qatar’s path to the title was built on a flawless group-stage performance, where they topped Group C with victories over Bahrain, Kazakhstan, and India. They then maintained their strong form with a convincing win over Iran in the quarter-finals, setting the stage for their golden finish.In the women’s competition, Qatar exited in the second round after a loss to Singapore, having advanced from the group stage with a third-place finish. Following the victory, Mohammed Saad al-Meghaiseeb, President of the Federation, dedicated the achievement to Qatar’s leadership, noting that the team fully deserved the title based on their performances throughout the tournament. He highlighted that this marks Qatar’s third consecutive gold medal in 3x3 basketball at the Asian Beach Games, following earlier triumphs in 2014 and 2016. He said the victory reflects the players’ high level of preparation and professionalism, particularly in handling the demanding format of multiple decisive matches in a single day. Their discipline, focus, and consistency, he said, were key factors behind the team’s success. Meanwhile, Qatar’s handball team won the silver medal after losing 2-1 to Iran in the final Wednesday. The achievement capped a strong tournament campaign. Qatar opened their run with victories over Pakistan, Oman, Bangladesh, Mongolia, and Jordan, before topping their group with a win over Thailand. They then defeated Bahrain in the semi-finals to reach the final. Thailand secured bronze after defeating Bahrain 2-0 in the third-place match. The Qatari beach handball team remains one of the strongest sides on the continental and international stage, with a decorated record that includes Asian Beach Games titles in 2012 (China), 2014 (Thailand), and 2016 (Vietnam). They also won silver at the 2022 World Games and bronze medals at the World Championship in 2014 and 2016, underlining their sustained competitiveness across major tournaments. 

Qatar’s top beach volleyball pair, Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan powered into the semi-finals of the 2026 AVC Beach Tour - 25th Samila Open in Thailand after a flawless run marked by dominant straight-sets victories. The Qatari duo, former Olympic bronze medallists, and Asia's top beach volleyball pair, topped Pool B with authority before continuing their momentum in the knockout rounds. They secured their semi-final place with a convincing 21-9, 21-7 win over China’s Li Wei and Du Hongjun, then followed it up with another clinical performance against Kazakhstan’s Bogatu Sergey and Kirill Gurin, winning 21-16, 21-18 in Round 2. Younousse and Tijan will now face Australia’s D’Artagnan Potts and Jack Pearse in the semi-finals, as they aim to extend their unbeaten streak and push for the title. 

Two under-15 teams, boys and girls, from Qatar Foundation (QF) schools competed against teams from 18 countries in the ISF World Schools Volleyball Championship in Shangluo, China.The event enabled the students to test their athletic abilities, in addition to building cross-cultural connections. The participation also reflected QF’s commitment to its holistic education approach, which leverages sport to develop leadership skills, enhance self-confidence, and foster teamwork, alongside academic excellence.Lina al-Khater, a student at Qatar Academy Doha (QAD) and captain of the girls’ volleyball team, said: “Participating in the championship was a special experience, and we are proud to be the first QF Schools team to take part in a tournament of this scale. Standing on the court while representing Qatar was a historic moment that carried a strong sense of pride and responsibility.”**media[397316]**Al-Khater added that the experience strengthened communication and teamwork skills, in addition to learning new techniques that contributed to improving performance. She noted that competing against teams with higher levels and international experience presented a real challenge.In a message to fellow students, al-Khater concluded by encouraging them not to hesitate in seizing available opportunities, emphasising that Qatar provides a supportive environment that encourages young people to engage in the international sports community.Laila Hussain Zada, another student at QAD, said: “I felt very proud to be selected to participate. This experience helped me understand how I can continue to develop in future matches and championships, particularly in terms of my performance on the court.”**media[397317]**Khalifa Mohammed al-Darwish, a student at Qatar Academy Al Wakra (QAW) and captain of the boys’ volleyball team at QF Schools, said: “It was a valuable experience through which we learned a great deal from every match we played, whether in terms of playing style or how to handle different situations on the court, which helped us gain greater experience and improve our performance."Mishal al-Muftah, a student at QAW, said: “My experience in China was a distinctive and rewarding one. We met students from different countries and gained new experiences both on and off the court. During the matches, we realised which skills we needed to develop, which helped us understand our strengths and the areas we could improve.” 

Qatar volleyball team will participate in the third Asian Youth Games, which will be hosted by Bahrain from October 22 to 31.The games will feature 24 sports, with more than 5,000 male and female athletes from 45 Asian Olympic Committees competing in 253 events. The tournament serves as a qualifier for the Youth Olympic Games 2026, which will take place in Dakar, Senegal.The team delegation departed for Manama Friday and is headed by Saeed Jumaa Al Hitmi, a member of the Qatar Volleyball Association's Board of Directors, along with team manager Ismail Al Sheeb, and referees Fahad Al Awadi and Abdulrahman Shams.The squad includes Ahmed Taleb, Dhami Al Ruwaili, Ghanem Al Basti, Khaled Abdullah, Tamim Al Awad, Hamad Ibrahim, Mazen Belorosi, Abdullah Al Shaiba, Omar Awamleh, Bader Al Zanari, Abdulrahman Ali, and Nawaf Al Shammari.Qatar is in Group B alongside Iran and China. It will take on China on Sunday, before facing Iran on October 21.The team's participation is within the framework of the Qatar Volleyball Association's expansion strategy and aims to enhance their experience by competing in major international tournaments.The female team is led by coach Lucas Gabriel, and features Hana Al Khater, Marwa Abdulaziz, Fatima Touzri, Tasneem Ali, Lamees Al Salman, Fatima Mahrez, Walden Al Waleed, Bina Ibrahim, Lujain Mahmoud, Dana Saber, Al Mayassa Diab, Aisha Al Alawi, and Maryam Mouhoub.

The great form of Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan on the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour continues as the Qatari Olympic medallists claimed the title of the Elite event held in Newport Beach. The hottest men’s team in international beach volleyball right now, they made it to the top of the podium in California on Saturday, flanked by two South American duos, as Brazilians Evandro Gonçalves and Arthur Lanci finished second and the Chilean Grimalt cousins Marco and Esteban ranked third in the tenth Elite event of the 2025 season. The 2025 season has been a different one for Cherif and Ahmed, who typically compete in almost every Elite event there is, but this year were limited to only six appearances on the Beach Pro Tour because of injuries. The bronze medallists of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, have, however, made the most of every opportunity they had to compete in 2025, winning four golds, with victories in the Elite events held in Gstaad, Rio de Janeiro and Newport Beach and the Xiamen Challenge. Disregarding the three forfeit defeats they were forced to accept at the Montréal Elite after Cherif got injured, the two have won 17 of their last 19 matches, including the last 11. “Winning here feels amazing,” Ahmed commented. “My wife is from the United States, and I am very happy to be here and win the gold medal. It means so much to our entire family.” At Newport Beach, Cherif and Ahmed made it to the top of the podium with an undefeated campaign of six victories and only one set dropped. In the final, they overcame Evandro and Arthur in straight sets (21-16, 30-28). “It was a really tough tournament, and the final was no different,” Cherif reacted. “We faced so many tough teams here, and we wanted to congratulate Evandro and Arthur, who had a really good run. We love to entertain people and give the fans a great final, and I think that today we did it. I hope everyone enjoyed it.”

Qatar is set to take on Saudi Arabia Monday in the third round of the West Asia Women's Volleyball Championship, hosted in Amman, Jordan. After opening the tournament with defeats to Jordan and Iraq, Qatar is determined to secure their first win and regain momentum in the competition. Following the Saudi Arabia match, Qatar will face Lebanon on Tuesday before closing out their campaign against Syria on Thursday. The championship provides a key testing ground for the Qatari squad as they aim to gauge their progress, sharpen their skills, and build stronger performances in regional contests.