View source for Qatar Football Association

{{short description|Association of Qatar football}}
{{Infobox football association
| Logo                  = Qatar Football Association logo.svg
| Founded               = 1960
| Headquarters          = [[Doha]], [[Qatar]]
| FIFA affiliation      = 1963 
| Region                = [[Asian Football Confederation|AFC]]
| Region affiliation    = 1967<ref name="hitc1" />
| Subregion             = <!--Subregion membership i.e. CECAFA, CEMAC, COSAFA, UNAF, WAFU etc. -->
| Subregion affiliation = 
| President             = [[Jassim Rashid Al Buenain]]
| Website               = {{URL|http://www.qfa.qa}}
}}

The '''Qatar Football Association''' ({{langx|ar|الاتحاد القطري لكرة القدم|al-Ittiḥād al-Qaṭariyy li-Kurat al-Qadam}}) is the governing body of [[football in Qatar]]. The QFA was founded in 1960 and is based in [[Doha]], [[Qatar]]. It became a member of [[FIFA]] in 1963 and of [[Asian Football Confederation|AFC]] in 1967. The Qatar Football Association organizes the main leagues of the [[Qatar football league system]]: [[Qatar Stars League]], [[Qatari Second Division]], including domestic cups: [[Qatar Cup]], [[Emir of Qatar Cup]], [[Sheikh Jassim Cup]], [[Qatari Stars Cup]] and [[Qatar FA Cup]]. The association is also responsible for the [[Qatar national football team|men's]], [[Qatar national under-17 football team|U-17]], [[Qatar national under-20 football team|U-20]], [[Qatar national under-23 football team|U-23]], [[Qatar women's national football team|women's]] national teams and the local women's, youth and [[Qatar Futsal League|futsal]] football leagues.

==President==
[[Jassim Rashid Al Buenain]] is currently the president of the Association.<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.qsl.qa/en/executive-committee| title=Executive Committee | date= | accessdate=2023-06-29}}</ref> He was elected on June 2, 2023, and succeeded Sheikh [[Hamad Bin Khalifa Bin Ahmed Al-Thani]] who held the position since 2005.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/31/05/2023/qfas-general-assembly-to-elect-board-of-directors | title=QFA's General Assembly to elect Board of Directors | date=2023-05-31 | accessdate=2023-06-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/02/06/2023/al-buenain-elected-as-president-of-qfa | title=Al Buenain elected as President of QFA | date=2023-06-02 | accessdate=2023-06-29}}</ref>

==History==
The advent of football at Qatar dates back to the year of 1948, accompanied by the arrival of oil companies.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://sc.qa/en/qatar/football | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206084225/http://sc.qa/en/qatar/football | url-status=dead | archive-date=2015-02-06 | title=Football | date= | accessdate=2021-09-24}}</ref> The new game's popularity expanded immediately, which led to the establishment of [[Al Ahli SC (Doha)|Al Najah]] as the country's first football club in 1950.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://living2022.com/football/game-in-qatar/qatari-national-football-teams-road-success/ | title=The Beginning | date=2020-11-05 | accessdate=2021-06-11}}</ref> Interest in football developed rapidly in the 1950s. Under the supervision of ''Qatar Oil Company'' (today [[QatarEnergy]]), the first football tournament ever in Qatar was held at the city of [[Dukhan]]. Despite the participation of several [[Doha]] teams – including Al Najah – host team Dukhan managed to win the 1951 Izzadeen tournament.<ref name="rss1">{{cite web | url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesq/qatcuphist.html | title=Qatar - List of Cup Winners | date=2020-12-23 | accessdate=2021-06-11}}</ref> Qatar Oil Company replaced the old competition with a new one, Pukett Cup kicked off during the 1957 season, Al Najah went on to win the cup for the first time in their history.<ref name="rss1" /> The Qatar Football Association (QFA) was founded in 1960 to govern football in Qatar and became a member of [[FIFA]] in 1963. In 1967, it became a member of the [[Asian Football Confederation]] (AFC).<ref name="hitc1">{{cite web | url=https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2022/09/23/has-qatar-been-in-the-world-cup-before-2022-hosts-tournament-record/ | title=Has Qatar been in the World Cup before? 2022 host's tournament record | date= 23 September 2022| accessdate=2022-11-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.qfa.qa/football-history-in-qatar/ | title=Football History in Qatar | date= | accessdate=2021-06-17}}</ref> The Association organized the first Qatar League in 1972–73.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sportsmonks.com/football/qatar-stars-league-history-structure-and-winning-teams | title=Qatar Stars League History, Structure and Total Teams | date=2019-09-17 | accessdate=2021-07-08}}</ref>

Whether locally or regionally, rules and regulations were not very restrictive about players moving from one club to another, just a resignation letter and 10 Indian rupees were required of the player who wished to move. This undemanding system was in effect until the year 1962. The first venue with a grass pitch in the Gulf region was the Doha Stadium, which was inaugurated in 1962.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.qatar-tribune.com/news-details/id/195083/2022-fifa-world-cup-host-qatar-a-rising-football-power | title=2022 FIFA World Cup host Qatar a rising football power | date=2020-08-05 | accessdate=2022-03-06}}</ref> Qatar built the [[Khalifa International Stadium]] in the 1970s to serve as the country's iconic sports stadium. From 2003 to 2017, the stadium was refurbished and expanded. The [[Emir of Qatar Cup|Emir Cup]] final was held there in 2017. In 2022 it will host [[2022 FIFA World Cup|World Cup]] matches.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.besix.com/en/projects/khalifa-stadium-renovation | title=Khalifa Stadium Renovation | date= | accessdate=2021-06-18}}</ref>

In 1981, Qatar's national youth team took part in the FIFA Junior World Cup in [[Australia]], surprisingly beating Brazil 4–3 in the quarterfinals and [[England]] 2–1 in the semifinals. The final was lost 0–4 against [[West Germany]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://digitalhub.fifa.com/m/34641d10f23c6a9e/original/nbdsr0lmwvqwm9o0b5mk-pdf.pdf | title=FIFA World Youth Championship for the Coca-Cola Cup | date= | accessdate=2021-06-19}}</ref>

Qatar's football team participated in the [[1984 Summer Olympics]] in [[Los Angeles]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.olympedia.org/countries/QAT | title=Participations by edition | date= | accessdate=2021-06-19}}</ref>

In 1988 and 2011, Qatar hosted the [[AFC Asian Cup]], which is the biggest football event on the continent.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.worldfootball.net/all_matches/asian-cup-1988-katar/ | title=Asian Cup 1988 Qatar | date= | accessdate=2021-06-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-28708920070729 | title= Qatar awarded 2011 Asian Cup hosting rights| website= [[Reuters]]| date=2007-07-28| accessdate=2021-06-22}}</ref>

Qatar hosted the [[Arabian Gulf Cup|Gulf Cup]] tournament in [[4th Arabian Gulf Cup|1976]], [[11th Arabian Gulf Cup|1992]] and [[22nd Arabian Gulf Cup|2004]], winning the biggest tournament for national teams in the region in 1992 and 2004. In 2014, Qatar lifted the trophy for the third time after beating host [[Saudi Arabia]] in the final.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ksa-team.com/english/championships.php?id=26 | title=Saudi Team | date= | accessdate=2021-06-24}}</ref>

From 13 to 28 April 1995, the [[1995 FIFA World Youth Championship|10th FIFA World Youth Championship]] was held in [[Doha]], which was won by [[Argentina]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/archive/qatar1995/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019193951/https://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/archive/qatar1995/ | url-status=dead | archive-date=October 19, 2020 | title=FIFA World Youth Championship Qatar 1995| date=| accessdate=2021-06-25}}</ref>

In 2019 and 2020, Qatar hosted the [[FIFA Club World Cup]].<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/organisation/fifa-council/media-releases/fifa-council-appoints-qatar-as-host-of-the-fifa-club-world-cup-in-2019-and-2020| title=FIFA Council appoints Qatar as host of the FIFA Club World Cup in 2019 and 2020 | date=2019-06-03 | accessdate=2022-11-11}}</ref>

From 30 November to 18 December 2021, Qatar hosted the [[2021 FIFA Arab Cup]]. Sixteen Arab teams competed in stadiums of the [[2022 FIFA World Cup]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/arabcup | title=Bringing together the best talent from across the region. | date= | accessdate=2021-11-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/editorial/14/11/2021/qatar-prepares-for-arab-cup | title=Qatar prepares for Arab Cup | date=2021-11-14 | accessdate=2021-11-19}}</ref> In the semifinals, Qatar lost to eventual champion Algeria but defeated Egypt 5-4 on penalties in the 3rd place playoff to secure the third place in the Arab Cup.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/12/18/qatar-beats-egypt-to-join-fifa-2021-arab-cup-podium | title=Qatar beats Egypt to clinch third place at FIFA Arab Cup 2021 | date=2021-12-18 | accessdate=2023-01-20}}</ref>

Qatar also hosted the [[2022 FIFA World Cup]]. The tournament was held from 20 November to 18 December 2022.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://olympics.com/en/news/world-cup-2022-dates-schedule-teams-song-mascot-facts| title=FIFA World Cup 2022 facts | date=2022-10-12 | accessdate=2022-10-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/qatar-will-host-world-cup-not-we-know-it-2022-04-04/| title=Qatar will host a World Cup but not as we know it | website=[[Reuters]] | date= 2022-04-04| accessdate=2022-10-16}}</ref> However they lost all 3 group stage matches (against Ecuador, Senegal and the Netherlands, respectively) and became the first team to be eliminated from the World Cup.

The [[2023 AFC Asian Cup]] was held in Qatar.<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/qatar-host-2023-asian-cup-asian-football-confederation-2022-10-17/| title=Qatar to host 2023 Aisan Cup – Asian Football Confederation | website=[[Reuters]] | date=2022-10-17 | accessdate=2022-10-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.barrons.com/news/qatar-to-host-2023-asian-cup-football-afc-01665985809?refsec=topics_afp-news| title=Qatar To Host 2023 Asian Cup Football: AFC | date=2022-10-17 | accessdate=2022-10-17}}</ref>

In September 2023, the Qatar Football Association (QFA) and [[Aspire Academy]] signed a cooperation agreement to further develop the coaching education system and enhance their joint expertise.<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.gulf-times.com/article/667862/sports/qfa-and-aspire-academy-join-hands-to-bolster-coaching-education| title=QFA and Aspire Academy join hands to bolster coaching education | date=2023-09-05 | accessdate=2023-09-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://menafn.com/1107006239/Qfa-And-Aspire-Academy-Join-Hands-To-Bolster-Coaching-Education | title=Qfa And Aspire Academy Join Hands To Bolster Coaching Education | date=2023-09-05 | accessdate=2023-09-05}}</ref>

==Leagues==
===<small>Qatar Stars League (Also known as EXPO Stars League)</small>===
*The [[Qatar Stars League|QSL]] is the highest football league in Qatar and consists of 12 teams.

===<small>Qatar Second Division (Also known as Qatargas League)</small>===
*The [[Qatari Second Division|QSD]] is the second highest football league in Qatar and consists of 8 teams.

===<small>Reserve League</small>===
*The [[Reserve League (Qatar)|Reserve League]] is a competition in which 12 teams play each other once during the season. There is no return game.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://int.soccerway.com/national/qatar/reserve-league/20212022/regular-season/r65787/ | title=Reserve League | date= | accessdate=2023-07-12}}</ref>

===<small>Qatar Amateur League</small>===
*The QAL was established in 2013 to provide amateur teams with the opportunity to compete against each other in an official competition. The number of participating team varies every year.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.qfa.qa/qatar-amateur-league/ | title=Qatar Amateur League | date= | accessdate=2021-08-03}}</ref>

===<small>University League</small>===
*The University League is a knockout tournament which was established in 2013 by the Supreme Committee of Delivery and Legacy. This gives university and college students the opportunity to develop their football skills.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.qfa.qa/qatar-university-and-qatar-aeronautical-college-to-compete-in-university-league-final/ | title=University League | date= 24 February 2016| accessdate=2021-08-06}}</ref>

===<small>School League</small>===
*The School League is a knockout tournament which was also established in 2013, with the aim to promote young people's interest in sports.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.qfa.qa/ibn-taymiya-are-school-league-champions/ | title=School League | date= 12 March 2019| accessdate=2021-08-10}}</ref>

===<small>Asian Communities Football Tournament</small>===
*The league was established in 2012 to promote integration and involve the local community. It is played in a knockout system.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gulf-times.com/story/483127/Asian-Communities-Football-Tournament-kicks-off-to | title=Asian Communities Football Tournament kicks off today | date=2016-03-02 | accessdate=2021-08-12}}</ref>

===<small>Qatar Community Football League</small>===
*The community league organized by QSL, with four adult divisions, two leagues for boys and two leagues for girls, was established by the supreme committee in 2016.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.qcfl22.com/index.html| title=Qatar Community Football League | date= | accessdate=2021-08-17}}</ref>

===<small>Qatar Futsal League</small>===
*The [[Qatar Futsal League]] was founded in 2007 and consists of 10 teams. The winner of the league automatically qualifies for the [[AFC Futsal Club Championship]].

==Domestic competitions==
===Cups===

*[[Emir of Qatar Cup]] - The Emir Cup was founded in 1972 and is the biggest Tournament in Qatar.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.qatar-tribune.com/news-details/id/65146 | title=Emir Cup has brought great glamour to football in Qatar: AAB official | date=2017-05-14 | accessdate=2021-07-03}}</ref>
*[[Sheikh Jassim Cup]] - The Sheikh Jassim Cup was founded in 1977 and takes place every year at the beginning of the season.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://qatarstarleague.com/sheikh-jassim-cup/ | title= Sheikh Jassim Cup History| date=2017-11-21 | accessdate=2021-07-06}}</ref>
*[[Qatar Cup]] - The Qatar Cup was founded in 1994 and is played by the top four QSL teams at the end of each season.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.qfa.qa/qatar-cup/ | title=Qatar Cup | date= | accessdate=2021-07-08}}</ref>
*[[Qatari Stars Cup]] - The Ooredoo Cup was founded in 2009. The premier league teams play in a knockout competition. Teams are divided into two groups and are allowed to field both U19 and U23 players.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://living2022.com/football/game-in-qatar/qatari-game-domestic-leagues-and-cup-competitions/ | title=The Qatari Game - Domestic Leagues and Cup Competitions | date=2001-03-22 | accessdate=2021-07-15}}</ref>
*[[Qatar FA Cup]] - The tournament was announced right after the 2020-21 Qatar Stars League ended, were the bottom 8 teams from the Qatar Stars League and the entire Qatari Second Division participate.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.qfa.qa/category/qfa-cup/ | title=QFA Cup | accessdate=2022-09-13}}</ref>

==National teams==
[[File:KOR-QAT 20190125 Asian Cup2.jpg|thumb|right|Qatar national team during the [[2019 AFC Asian Cup]].]]
*[[Qatar national football team]]
*[[Qatar national under-23 football team]]
*[[Qatar national under-20 football team]]
*[[Qatar national under-17 football team]]
*[[Qatar women's national football team]]

==Training camps and academy==
[[Aspire Zone]] - The Aspire Zone in Doha, Qatar, is a popular training camp for European football clubs, where teams such as [[Bayern Munich]], [[PSV Eindhoven]], [[FC Red Bull Salzburg]], [[AFC Ajax]] and [[FC Zenit]] prepare for the upcoming matches in their leagues.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/05/01/2020/Bayern-Munich-arrive-for-Doha-training-camp | title=Bayern Munich arrive for Doha training camp | date=2020-01-05 | accessdate=2021-06-30}}</ref>

[[Aspire Academy]] - Located in the Aspire Zone, the sports academy was founded in 2004 and supports Qatari athletes.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/football/news/former-socceroo-tim-cahill-lands-exciting-new-job-in-qatar/au30axqcw7dd11r12711x2tos | title=Former Socceroo Tim Cahill lands 'exciting' new job in Qatar | date= 11 April 2021| accessdate=2021-11-23}}</ref>

Training grounds for the [[2022 FIFA World Cup]] - As 41 training grounds are created, each national team will have its own facility with FIFA-standard lightning systems and two natural grass pitches identical to the grass pitches at each of the eight World Cup stadiums.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://en.as.com/en/2021/01/10/football/1610299674_675367.html | title=5 facts about the training camps earmarked for the 2022 World Cup| date=2021-01-10 | accessdate=2021-08-26}}</ref>

==Formation==
{{updated|28 August 2023}}<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/associations/QAT| title=Qatar Football Association | date= | accessdate=2023-06-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.qfa.qa/board-of-directors/ | title=Board of Directors | date= | accessdate=2023-06-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport-columnists/arid-40967543.html | title=Qatar's female football starlets eager to emerge from the shadows | date=2022-09-23 | accessdate=2023-06-29}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
!Position
!Name
|-
|President
|{{flagicon|Qatar}} [[Jassim Rashid Al Buenain]]
|-
|Vice President
|{{flagicon|Qatar}} [[Mohammed Khalifa Al Suwaidi]]
|-
|General Secretary
|{{flagicon|Qatar}} Mansoor Al Ansari
|-
|Treasurer
|{{flagicon|Qatar}} Ahmed Al-Buainain
|-
|Technical Director
|{{flagicon|Qatar}} Fahad Al Zarraa
|-
|Team Coach (Men's)
|{{flagicon|Spain}} [[Tintin Marquez]]
|-
|Team Coach (Women's)
|{{flagicon|Qatar}} Fedha Al-Abdullah
|-
|Media/Communications Manager
|{{flagicon|Qatar}} Ali Al Salat
|-
|Futsal Coordinator
|{{flagicon|Qatar}} Hamad Al Mannai
|-
|Referee Coordinator
|{{flagicon|Qatar}} Hany Taleb Al Raeesi
|}

==International titles==
[[File:Qatar - Japan, AFC Asian Cup 2019 56.jpg|thumb|right|Qatar national team celebrating winning the [[2019 AFC Asian Cup]].]]
*[[1990 AFC U-16 Championship]]: Winner
*[[11th Arabian Gulf Cup|1992]] [[Arabian Gulf Cup]]: Winner
*[[Football at the 2006 Asian Games|2006]] [[Asian Games]]: Winner
*[[2014 WAFF Championship]]: Winner
*[[2014 AFC U-19 Championship]]: Winner
*[[2019 AFC Asian Cup]]: Winner
*[[2023 AFC Asian Cup]]: Winner

==See also==
* [[Football in Qatar]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070617050711/http://www.fifa.com/associations/association=qat/index.html Qatar Football Association] at the FIFA website (archived 17 June 2007)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130406080548/http://www.the-afc.com/en/member-associations/west/qatar-football-assoc.html Qatar Football Association] at AFC site (archived 6 April 2013)

{{Sports governing bodies in Qatar}}
{{Football in Qatar}}
{{International football}}
{{AFC associations}}
{{UAFA Football}}

[[Category:Football in Qatar]]
[[Category:1960 establishments in Qatar]]
[[Category:National members of the Asian Football Confederation|Qatar]]
[[Category:Sports governing bodies in Qatar|Football]]
[[Category:Sports organizations established in 1960]]
[[Category:Association football governing bodies in Asia]]
[[Category:Member associations of the West Asian Football Federation]]
[[Category:Members of the Union of Arab Football Associations]]
[[Category:Members of the Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation]]