Qatar Sport

Doha: Qatar Football Association (QFA) has announced the appointment of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al-Thani as President of the association and Sheikh Tamim bin Mohammed Al-Thani as Vice President. In a statement, the QFA said the appointments were approved by the Executive Committee during its meeting today. The statement also said that the decision was intended to complete the current Board of Directors' term through 2027 and will be submitted for ratification at the QFA General Assembly, which is scheduled to convene in September. The QFA Executive Committee had previously decided to nominate two members to fill the positions of President and Vice President following the resignations of Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain, the former QFA President, and Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Suwaidi, the former Vice President, in accordance with the applicable procedures and regulations. The Executive Committee meeting also reviewed the association's activities and the latest developments, in addition to a report on the Qatar national team's participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Qatar Sport

Doha:Qatar's U18 national team will take on Oman on Wednesday, July 29, at Al Gharafa Sports Hall in the Gulf qualifiers for the FIBA U18 Asia Cup. The tournament serves as a pathway to the Asian finals slated to be held in Ahmedabad, India, in August. Qatar enter the matchup riding high after securing back-to-back victories in the first and second rounds, opening their campaign with an 80-76 win over Saudi Arabia before cruising past Kuwait 81-53 in the second round. The team have moved their tally to four points, placing them second in the standings behind league-leading Bahrain with six points. The team are looking to extend their winning streak and capture a third straight triumph, a result that would substantially boost their chances of securing one of the two qualification berths to the FIBA U18 Asia Cup finals. Meanwhile, Oman enter the game with three points, earned through a 62-59 win over Kuwait in the opening round and a 94-49 loss to Bahrain in the second round. In another game on Wednesday, Saudi Arabia will face Kuwait, with both teams seeking a win to keep their qualification hopes alive. Kuwait currently have three points, while Saudi Arabia have two. Doha is hosting the Gulf qualifiers from July 25 to 30, organized by the Qatar Basketball Federation and featuring teams from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman. The qualifiers are being staged in a single round-robin format, with each team playing four games. The top two finishers will advance to the FIBA U18 Asia Cup finals. This hosting comes as part of a series of major sporting events hosted by Qatar ahead of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, a debut event in the Middle East and North Africa region.

Football

Rome: Roberto Mancini has been named the head coach of Italy's national team for a second time, tasked with revitalising the Azzurri who have missed out on the last three World Cups, FIGC president Giovanni Malago said Tuesday. Technical director Roberto Maldini, who reportedly threatened to resign if Mancini was appointed, has been replaced by Claudio Ranieri. "Today we have a new coach and a new technical director," Malago told reporters, announcing another press conference with Mancini and Ranieri on Wednesday. The 61-year-old Mancini was previously Italy boss from 2018 until 2023, leading them to the Euro 2020 title. He has been preferred to another ex-national team coach in Antonio Conte. Maldini had also apparently said he would resign if Conte was chosen, reportedly wanting Brazil-born former Italy midfielder Thiago Motta to be given the job