Sport in Qatar

Sport in Qatar is primarily centred on football in terms of participation and spectators. Additionally, athletics, basketball, handball, volleyball, camel racing, horse racing, cricket and swimming are also widely practised.[1] There are currently eleven multi-sports clubs in the country and seven single-sports clubs.[1]

The largest sporting event hosted in Qatar was the 2006 Asian Games, held in Doha. There were 46 disciplines from 39 events contested. On 2 December 2022, Qatar hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup, thus becoming the first Arab nation to host the tournament.[2] Qatar will host the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup, thus becoming the first Arab nation to host a major basketball tournament.

Two weeks after stripping San Diego as the host of the first World Beach Games, the Association of National Olympic Committees on 14 June 2019 gave Qatar the honour to host the event. ANOC said, "Qatar boasts spectacular oceanfront locations and is ready to provide the perfect setting."[3] The 2019 World Beach Games were held from October 12 to 16.[4]

  1. ^ a b "Sports chapter (2013)". Qatar Statistics Authority. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference radford was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "Qatar replaces San Diego as host of 1st World Beach Games". The Washington Post. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  4. ^ "Qatar Gets World Beach Games Originally Awarded to San Diego". Times of San Diego. Retrieved 14 June 2019.