The summer break is over, and Doha is once again welcoming the biggest names in international sport. The coming months will bring a series of major events to Qatar, putting the capital back in the spotlight as a leading destination for global sport.
The Qatar Classic squash championship, which got underway yesterday, has marked the return of high-profile action in Doha. The Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex is hosting a strong field led by world No.1 Mostafa Asal, defending champion Paul Coll, four-time champion Mohamed ElShorbagy and former winner Diego Elias.
The women’s draw is equally strong, with defending champion Hania El Hammamy, reigning world champion Amina Orfi, former world No.1 Nouran Gohar and four-time finalist Nour ElSherbini among the leading names.
Motorsport will provide another major attraction at Lusail International Circuit later this year, with MotoGP and Formula 1 returning to Qatar. The two championships have become established fixtures on the country’s sporting calendar, attracting some of the biggest names in racing and thousands of fans from around the world.
Football will also take the centre stage when Qatar hosts the FIFA U-17 World Cup from November 19 to December 13. The tournament will feature 48 teams and 104 matches, continuing the expanded format introduced in Qatar last year. The tournament will provide another opportunity to see some of football’s most promising young players before they reach the biggest stages of the game. The iconic Khalifa International Stadium will host the final.
Also in November, the Lusail Shooting Complex will host the ISSF World Championship, bringing the world’s leading shooters to Doha to compete for 36 direct qualification places for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Qatar’s shooters will also have the advantage of competing at home as they target Olympic qualification.
What stands out about the coming months is the range of major events rather than one single competition. Squash, shooting, motorsport, football and other major international events will bring different audiences and leading athletes to Doha. For a city that has established itself as a regular host of international sport, this is another strong period.
More importantly, these events reinforce Doha’s position as a city where international sport has become part of the calendar rather than an occasional attraction. The arrival of global stars across different sports gives fans in Qatar the chance to watch world-class competition at home, while also adding to the city’s growing reputation as a reliable host of major sporting events.
