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            <title>
                    <![CDATA[ The Peninsula Qatar ]]>
            </title>
            <link>
            <![CDATA[ https://thepeninsulaqatar.com ]]>
            </link>
            <description>
                    <![CDATA[ The Peninsula brings the latest news from Qatar and around the world. We also cover in detail football, cricket, business, entertainment, Bollywood, Hollywood, Science, Technology, Health, Fitness and opinions from leading columnists. ]]>
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            <lastBuildDate>Sat, 15 Aug 2026 05:37:15 +0300</lastBuildDate>
            <pubDate>Sat, 15 Aug 2026 05:37:15 +0300</pubDate>
            <language>en</language>
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                    <![CDATA[Copyright  2026 , The Peninsula Qatar]]>
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            <ttl>5</ttl>
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                    <title>The Peninsula Qatar</title>
                    <link>https://thepeninsulaqatar.com</link>
            </image>

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                                <title>
                                        <![CDATA[Fallen French football giants Bordeaux move closer to extinction]]>
                                </title>
                                <link>
                                <![CDATA[https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/15/08/2026/fallen-french-football-giants-bordeaux-move-closer-to-extinction]]>
                                </link>
                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Sports]]>
                                </category>
                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Football]]>
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                                <content:encoded>
                                        <![CDATA[&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Bordeaux: Bordeaux, once one of France&amp;amp;#39;s leading football clubs and the team where the country&amp;amp;#39;s new head coach Zinedine Zidane made his name, lurched further into trouble on Friday.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;After years of crippling financial problems, the spectre of judicial liquidation is looming over the Girondins after the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF) rejected their latest appeal against exclusion from the national leagues.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The measure, notified to the club on Friday, according to its vice-president Arnaud De Carli, means the six-time French champions are barred from playing in the fourth tier in the coming season, as they had hoped.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;They have instead been relegated to the sixth tier.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Bordeaux have 15 days to file an appeal, but the fourth-tier season starts on August 22.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;They were sanctioned for failing to provide the roughly ten million euros ($11.6 million) needed for the 2025-2026 financial year, finance that of 2026-2027 and meet debt payments.&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;
Zidane played for Bordeaux between 1992 and 1996.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;
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                                    <![CDATA[Sat, 15 Aug 2026 00:24:57 +0300]]>
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                                <title>
                                        <![CDATA[Qatar Beach Volleyball team wins silver at West Asia Championship]]>
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                                <link>
                                <![CDATA[https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/14/08/2026/qatar-beach-volleyball-team-wins-silver-at-west-asia-championship]]>
                                </link>
                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Sports]]>
                                </category>
                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Qatar Sport]]>
                                </category>
                                <content:encoded>
                                        <![CDATA[&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Beirut: Qatar&amp;amp;#39;s men&amp;amp;#39;s beach volleyball team, represented by Mohammed Ehab and Mousa Al Khair, won the silver medal after finishing runners-up in the second and final round of the 2026 West Asia Beach Volleyball Championship in Batroun, Lebanon.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The Qatari duo defeated Kuwait 2-0 in the quarterfinals and Lebanon 2-0 in the semifinals before losing the final 2-1 to Lebanon&amp;amp;#39;s Jad Abi Karam and Hadi Shbeib, who claimed gold.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The achievement adds to Qatar&amp;amp;#39;s growing record of success in beach volleyball at the regional and continental levels.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;
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                                <pubDate>
                                    <![CDATA[Fri, 14 Aug 2026 21:40:25 +0300]]>
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                                        <![CDATA[FIFA expert addresses Qatar referees on managing pressure]]>
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                                <link>
                                <![CDATA[https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/14/08/2026/fifa-expert-addresses-qatar-referees-on-managing-pressure]]>
                                </link>
                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Sports]]>
                                </category>
                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Qatar Sport]]>
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                                        <![CDATA[&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Doha: Dr. Jessica Miranda, Head of Psychology at FIFA, addressed Qatar&amp;amp;rsquo;s elite referees on managing stress and maintaining focus during matches at the Qatar Football Association&amp;amp;rsquo;s (QFA) pre-season training camp at the InterContinental Hotel Doha on Wednesday.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Dr. Miranda explained how the body and mind respond to competitive pressure and outlined methods to manage stress, improve concentration, support recovery and enhance decision-making during matches.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;She also highlighted the importance of balancing psychological, physiological and physical factors to achieve peak performance and remain focused in high-pressure situations.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Dr. Miranda, who describes Qatar as her second home has previously worked at Aspire Academy for five years, a period she considers a significant professional experience.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Her participation in the Qatari elite referees&amp;amp;#39; camp stems from her extensive experience in international referee training.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;She has previously overseen the physiological aspects of referees for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, as well as those for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, and will also be involved with referees for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;
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                                <pubDate>
                                    <![CDATA[Fri, 14 Aug 2026 09:55:08 +0300]]>
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                                <title>
                                        <![CDATA[Qatar U-18 face Iran in FIBA Asia Championship opener]]>
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                                <link>
                                <![CDATA[https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/14/08/2026/qatar-u-18-face-iran-in-fiba-asia-championship-opener]]>
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                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Sports]]>
                                </category>
                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Qatar Sport]]>
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                                        <![CDATA[&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Doha: Qatar&amp;amp;rsquo;s U-18 national basketball team will begin their campaign at the FIBA Asia Championship when they face Iran at 11:00 am Doha time today, at the Veer Savarkar Indoor Hall in Ahmedabad, India.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The match marks the opening fixture of Group C in the continental tournament, which runs from August 13 to 23 with the participation of 16 teams.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;In the other Group C clash, China will meet Sri Lanka today, setting the stage from the very first round for the battle over the two quarterfinal qualification spots.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Qatar&amp;amp;rsquo;s encounter with Iran carries added significance, as both teams enter the competition with different ambitions but share the same goal of securing a strong start to gain early advantage in a group that also includes China and Sri Lanka.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Following the opener against Iran, Qatar will face China on August 16 and conclude their group stage campaign against Sri Lanka on August 18.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Group stage matches run from August 13 to 18. The top team from each group advances directly to the quarterfinals, while the second- and third-placed teams contest playoff qualifiers on August 20. Quarterfinals will be held on August 21, semifinals on August 22, and the championship final on August 23.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;
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                                <pubDate>
                                    <![CDATA[Fri, 14 Aug 2026 09:52:53 +0300]]>
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                                <title>
                                        <![CDATA[Schedule for Qatar Cup 2026 announced]]>
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                                <link>
                                <![CDATA[https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/14/08/2026/schedule-for-qatar-cup-2026-announced]]>
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                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Sports]]>
                                </category>
                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Qatar Sport]]>
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                                        <![CDATA[&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Doha: The Qatar Stars League (QSL) has announced the schedule for the Qatar Cup 2026, the rescheduled edition of the tournament that was originally planned for the 2025-26 season.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The tournament will feature the top four teams from the final standings of the 2025-26 Doha Bank Stars League. They are Al Sadd, Al Shamal, Al Rayyan and Al Gharafa.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The semi-finals will be played on September 1, 2026. Khalifa International Stadium will host the clash between Al Sadd and Al Gharafa, while Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium at Al Sadd Club will stage the other semi-final between Al Shamal and Al Rayyan.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The final is scheduled for December 11, 2026, at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;According to the tournament regulations, any match that ends in a draw after 90 minutes will be decided by a penalty shootout.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;
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                                    <![CDATA[Fri, 14 Aug 2026 09:51:53 +0300]]>
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                                <title>
                                        <![CDATA[Man City star Doku signs five-year contract extension]]>
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                                <link>
                                <![CDATA[https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/13/08/2026/man-city-star-doku-signs-five-year-contract-extension]]>
                                </link>
                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Sports]]>
                                </category>
                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Football]]>
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                                        <![CDATA[&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;London: Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku signed a five-year contract extension with the Premier League club on Thursday.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Doku has developed into one of the most dynamic forwards in the Premier League since joining from French club Rennes in 2023.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The 24-year-old has scored 22 goals and provided 34 assists in 131 games for City, helping the club win the Premier League, the Club World Cup, the FA Cup and the League Cup.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Doku has earned 48 caps for Belgium and featured for his country at the recent World Cup.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Keeping Doku in Manchester until at least 2031 is a major boost for new City boss Enzo Maresca ahead of the Premier League campaign, which starts on August 21.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Maresca has replaced Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium and Doku said the Italian&amp;amp;#39;s style of play was instrumental in his decision to commit his long-term future to City.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;amp;quot;I have loved my time at City so far, so to have the opportunity to stay for longer is a fantastic feeling,&amp;amp;quot; Doku said.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;amp;quot;This club means so much to me - I have developed as both a player and a person. I feel settled here, and I know I am improving every day because of the work the staff here do.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;amp;quot;With Enzo here now I am really excited about the new season. His style of football is the kind we love, so that&amp;amp;#39;s exciting for the players.&amp;amp;quot;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;City director of football Hugo Viana added: &amp;amp;quot;Jeremy is a huge talent whose improvement since joining us in 2023 is clear for all to see.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;amp;quot;He has a special dynamic. He has the right characteristics for what we are looking for in a winger. He really does bring a special quality to our team.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;amp;quot;He deserves this new deal, and I know he will continue his improvement in the coming months and years.&amp;amp;quot;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;
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                                <pubDate>
                                    <![CDATA[Thu, 13 Aug 2026 14:15:27 +0300]]>
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                                <title>
                                        <![CDATA[Qatar U-18 team land in India for FIBA Asian Championship]]>
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                                <link>
                                <![CDATA[https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/13/08/2026/qatar-u-18-team-land-in-india-for-fiba-asian-championship]]>
                                </link>
                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Sports]]>
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                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Basketball]]>
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                                <content:encoded>
                                        <![CDATA[&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Doha, Qatar: The Qatar U-18 National Basketball Team delegatio arrived in Ahmedabad, India yesterday to participate in the FIBA U-18 Asian Championship, hosted by India from August 13 to 23, with the participation of elite youth teams from across the continent.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The delegation is headed by Qatar Basketball Federation Secretary General and Director of National Teams Saadoun Sabah Al-Kuwari.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Qatar earned their place in the continental competition after finishing second in the Gulf U-18 qualifiers held in Doha, securing a direct berth to the Asian finals.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Qatar have been drawn into Group C alongside China, Iran, and Sri Lanka. The team will open their campaign against Iran on August 14, face China in the second round on August 16, and conclude the group stage against Sri Lanka on August 18.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The team is led by Algerian head coach Mounir Ben Ghalla, assisted by Hashim Zaidan, with Kenan overseeing physical conditioning and Saif Al-Hamandi supervising medical and rehabilitation duties.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The Qatar squad includes 12 players: Abdullah Yassin, Tamim Ashraf Abu Issa, Ziad Al-Bitar, Muath Omar Mousa, Azzam Mohammed Yaken, Ziad Tamer Al-Johari, Mohammed Saeed Badri, Mahmoud Tamer Ibrahim, Amer Ibrahim Mousa, Owen Ikina, Youssef Waleed Abdelqader, and Shahi Mohammed.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;This participation carries significant importance for Qatar, as the team aims to achieve positive results in the continental championship, which also serves as a qualifying pathway to the FIBA U-19 Basketball World Cup 2027 in the Czech Republic.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The top four teams from the Asian Championship will secure qualification spots.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;
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                                <pubDate>
                                    <![CDATA[Thu, 13 Aug 2026 09:42:19 +0300]]>
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                                        <![CDATA[QSL steps up efforts to strengthen club sales and marketing]]>
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                                <link>
                                <![CDATA[https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/13/08/2026/qsl-steps-up-efforts-to-strengthen-club-sales-and-marketing]]>
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                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Sports]]>
                                </category>
                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Football]]>
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                                        <![CDATA[&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Doha, Qatar: The Qatar Stars League (QSL) organised a workshop titled &amp;amp;lsquo;Activating and Delivering Marketing Rights&amp;amp;rsquo; with the participation of marketing department representatives from clubs competing in the 2026-2027 Doha Bank Stars League and QSL 2 (Second Division) league.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The workshop was part of QSL&amp;amp;rsquo;s efforts to develop commercial and marketing aspects, and enhance co-operation and integration with club companies.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The workshop was attended by QSL Sales and Marketing Director Nasser Laram Salmeen and Head of Sales at QSL Ms. Muneera Badr Al Abdulrahman, along with marketing department representatives of clubs.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;During the workshop, a number of key topics were addressed, including an overview of the clubs&amp;amp;rsquo; commercial and marketing rights granted to club companies within and around stadiums, identifying available marketing spaces and assets for clubs and sponsors, and exploring mechanisms for optimal utilization and activation to maximize the value of these assets and rights.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The workshop also discussed ways to attract more sponsors, develop commercial partnerships and capitalize on available opportunities to enhance the commercial presence of clubs, aligning with the aspirations of next phase and contributing to building sustainable relationships and partnerships with various entities.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;
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                                <pubDate>
                                    <![CDATA[Thu, 13 Aug 2026 09:39:26 +0300]]>
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                                <title>
                                        <![CDATA[Qatar Sports for All Federation praises success of Sports for All Summer Programme 2026]]>
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                                <link>
                                <![CDATA[https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/13/08/2026/qatar-sports-for-all-federation-praises-success-of-sports-for-all-summer-programme-2026]]>
                                </link>
                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Sports]]>
                                </category>
                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Qatar Sport]]>
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                                        <![CDATA[&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Doha, Qatar: The Qatar Sports for All Federation applauded the success of its Sports for All Summer Programme 2026, in which various segments of society and all age groups across more than 65 locations took part. These locations included public parks, sports clubs, youth and commercial centres, neighbourhood playgrounds, schools, and various other sports facilities.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Adviser to the Minister of Sports and Youth and President of the Qatar Sports for All Federation Abdulrahman bin Musallam Al Dosari stated that the programme&amp;amp;rsquo;s success is reflected in the growing community interest in sports, with the number of participants exceeding 36,100 across more than 65 different locations.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;He noted that this significant turnout confirms the programme&amp;amp;rsquo;s ability to reach diverse segments of society, instil the values of sports in children as an integral part of daily life, and contribute to achieving Qatar National Vision 2030.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;He appreciated the broad participation in the programme&amp;amp;rsquo;s activities, which he considered an indicator of the Federation&amp;amp;rsquo;s successful plans to expand the scope of its activities and reach the widest possible segment of the community by distributing events among sports clubs, youth centres, gyms, playgrounds, public parks, and schools. The ongoing support from the Ministry of Sports and Youth, and the fruitful cooperation with more than 50 partners, entities, and institutions, were among the most important factors in the programme&amp;amp;rsquo;s success, Al Dosari said, adding that this support contributed to providing a comprehensive sporting environment and helped deliver an outstanding edition of the programme.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;For his part, Executive Director of the Qatar Sports for All Federation Abdullah Al Dosari said that the goal of the Sports for All Summer Programme 2026 was to reach the largest possible number of community members, especially children and youth and that this was achieved through the efforts of the Ministry of Sports and Youth, represented by the Qatar Sports for All Federation, and in cooperation with all federations, ministries, and various other entities, to transform the summer vacation into an opportunity for physical activity, promoting public health, building skills, and making the most of leisure time.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;He noted that the program saw wide participation thanks to the diversity of activities and events, including the children&amp;amp;rsquo;s camp at the Lusail Sports Hall, the step challenge in malls, as well as women&amp;amp;rsquo;s events at Education City and Muay Thai and swimming training sessions.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;
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                                <pubDate>
                                    <![CDATA[Thu, 13 Aug 2026 09:13:10 +0300]]>
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                                        <![CDATA[Netherlands appoint Xavi Hernandez as coach]]>
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                                <link>
                                <![CDATA[https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/13/08/2026/netherlands-appoint-xavi-hernandez-as-coach]]>
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                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Sports]]>
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                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Football]]>
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                                        <![CDATA[&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Amsterdam: Former Spain international midfielder Xavi Hernandez has been appointed head coach of the Netherlands national football team, succeeding Ronald Koeman, who resigned following the 2026 World Cup, the Dutch Football Association announced today, Wednesday.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The 46-year-old coach, who led Barcelona to the Spanish league title in 2023, signed a contract running through the 2030 World Cup, which will be held in Spain, Portugal and Morocco, with several matches also taking place in Latin America.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;According to the Dutch Football Association, Xavi&amp;amp;#39;s contract will also see him lead the Netherlands at UEFA Euro 2028.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;
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                                <pubDate>
                                    <![CDATA[Thu, 13 Aug 2026 08:19:37 +0300]]>
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                                <title>
                                        <![CDATA[PSG down Aston Villa to retain UEFA Super Cup]]>
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                                <link>
                                <![CDATA[https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/13/08/2026/psg-down-aston-villa-to-retain-uefa-super-cup]]>
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                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Sports]]>
                                </category>
                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Football]]>
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                                        <![CDATA[&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Salzburg, Austria: Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain rubber-stamped their status as Europe&amp;amp;#39;s top team as they beat Aston Villa 2-1 in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue netted either side of a debut goal for Villa teenager Brian Madjo in Salzburg as PSG defended the title they first won 12 months ago against another Premier League side, Tottenham Hotspur.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The Super Cup, which pits the winners of Europe&amp;amp;#39;s top club competition against the victorious side from the second-tier Europa League, was officiated by Somalian referee Omar Artan.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The 34-year-old referee unwittingly found himself in the media spotlight in June after being turned away on arrival at Miami International Airport, despite being part of the panel of referees selected by FIFA for the World Cup.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Ahead of the start of their respective domestic seasons, both sides named relatively strong sides.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;PSG&amp;amp;#39;s starting XI featured nine players that lifted the Champions League trophy against Arsenal in May, including Vitinha, Joao Neves and captain Marquinhos.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;French left-back Lucas Digne, who on Sunday signed for the Parisians, was on the bench against his old side.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Villa rested World Cup campaigners Ezri Konsa, Emi Martinez and Ollie Watkins, but Unai Emery handed debuts to midfielder Joao Gomes and striker Madjo.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Midfielder Boubacar Kamara also started for the first time since suffering a serious knee injury in January.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;
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                                <pubDate>
                                    <![CDATA[Thu, 13 Aug 2026 00:26:22 +0300]]>
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                                <title>
                                        <![CDATA[Qatar&amp;#039;s skydiving team readies up for WMPC in Slovakia]]>
                                </title>
                                <link>
                                <![CDATA[https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/12/08/2026/qatars-skydiving-team-readies-up-for-wmpc-in-slovakia]]>
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                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Sports]]>
                                </category>
                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Qatar Sport]]>
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                                        <![CDATA[&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Bratislava: The&amp;amp;nbsp;Qatar&amp;amp;nbsp;national skydiving team, affiliated with the&amp;amp;nbsp;Qatar&amp;amp;nbsp;Air Sports Committee under the Joint Special Forces, is currently preparing for the CISM 48th World Military Parachuting Championships (WMPC).&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Taking place in Slovakia starting Friday until Aug. 23, the WMPC will see the participation of teams from 33 countries.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Crowned as champion of the Accuracy Landing competition at CISM&amp;amp;nbsp;Qatar&amp;amp;nbsp;2025, Team&amp;amp;nbsp;Qatar&amp;amp;nbsp;is eager to defend its title at the upcoming event.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Being one of the world&amp;amp;#39;s leading teams of its kind, the&amp;amp;nbsp;Qatar&amp;amp;nbsp;parachute team (Al Hadaf) has achieved numerous victories and milestones over the past several years, this includes making it to the Guinness World Records for the world&amp;amp;#39;s largest parachuting canopy formation at night.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Representing Al Hadaf in the senior individuals category is Mohammed Al Marri, whereas Ali Al Yafei and Saleh Al Karbi will compete in the junior individuals category.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Meanwhile Abdulaziz Abdullah, Khalid&amp;amp;nbsp;Shaja, Saleh Al Abidi, and Mohammed Al Attas will represent Al Hadaf in team events.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Captain of&amp;amp;nbsp;Qatar&amp;amp;#39;s skydiving team, Abdulaziz Abdullah Al Hajaji, underscored that&amp;amp;nbsp;Qatar&amp;amp;nbsp;will participate in the WMPC as the defending champion and said that competing will be tough, given that some of the world&amp;amp;#39;s best skydivers will be present. However, he emphasized&amp;amp;nbsp;Qatar&amp;amp;#39;s readiness to deliver a strong performance throughout the event, especially after the team&amp;amp;#39;s latest training camp, which improved the team&amp;amp;#39;s technical and physical readiness and boosted teamwork.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;In a related development,&amp;amp;nbsp;Qatari international judge Mohammed Al Hajri will be part of the officiating team, reflecting the growing presence of&amp;amp;nbsp;Qatari expertise across the various fields associated with air sports.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;
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                                <pubDate>
                                    <![CDATA[Wed, 12 Aug 2026 22:00:27 +0300]]>
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                                        <![CDATA[Messi says not certain to play &amp;quot;much longer&amp;quot; after father&amp;#039;s death]]>
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                                <link>
                                <![CDATA[https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/12/08/2026/messi-says-not-certain-to-play-much-longer-after-fathers-death]]>
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                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Sports]]>
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                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Football]]>
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                                        <![CDATA[&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Buenos Aires, Argentina: Argentina superstar and inspiration behind his country&amp;amp;#39;s 2022 World Cup victory Lionel Messi said Wednesday he has &amp;amp;quot;serious doubts&amp;amp;quot; about continuing to play football for &amp;amp;quot;much longer&amp;amp;quot; after the death of his father Jorge Messi.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;amp;quot;I don&amp;amp;#39;t know what I&amp;amp;#39;ll do without you, I don&amp;amp;#39;t know how to go on. I just played football, and now I have serious doubts about continuing to do so for much longer,&amp;amp;quot; Messi, 39, wrote in a message on social media after his father, who was also his agent, died last week aged 68.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;In the message, Messi, whose contract with Major League Soccer outfit Inter Miami runs till the end of the 2028 season, reflected on the final months of his father&amp;amp;#39;s life, which coincided with the 2026 World Cup.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;amp;quot;I kept telling you we would reach the final so you could make the trip,&amp;amp;quot; said Messi, who returned to the United States on Tuesday night following his father&amp;amp;#39;s funeral on Sunday.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;amp;quot;We made it to the final, but you couldn&amp;amp;#39;t be there. I wanted to win it to bring it to you and show you a new one. I couldn&amp;amp;#39;t, my legs just gave out.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;amp;quot;This time I tried to push past my physical limits, but I couldn&amp;amp;#39;t. I never felt right,&amp;amp;quot; Messi said in his first comments after the 1-0 loss to Spain in the final in New Jersey.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Messi highlighted his father&amp;amp;#39;s pivotal role in his life and career: &amp;amp;quot;You were a father, a friend, and an agent. You were always exactly who you needed to be in every moment, and you never put a foot wrong.&amp;amp;quot;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Jorge Messi&amp;amp;#39;s unusual absence from the World Cup in June had already attracted attention.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Messi&amp;amp;#39;s family asked the media for &amp;amp;quot;humanity&amp;amp;quot; during the tournament amid persistent rumours over Jorge&amp;amp;#39;s health.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;After bursting into tears after scoring against Algeria in a group match, Messi had admitted to dealing with &amp;amp;quot;a situation outside of sports&amp;amp;quot;.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;On Sunday, the eight-time Ballon d&amp;amp;#39;Or winner bid farewell to his father during a private ceremony with close family and a few Argentina teammates in the town of Perez, adjacent to Rosario.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The cause of death was not disclosed.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;
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                                <pubDate>
                                    <![CDATA[Wed, 12 Aug 2026 17:12:30 +0300]]>
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                                <title>
                                        <![CDATA[Man City sign Argentina goalkeeper Rulli from Marseille]]>
                                </title>
                                <link>
                                <![CDATA[https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/12/08/2026/man-city-sign-argentina-goalkeeper-rulli-from-marseille]]>
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                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Sports]]>
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                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Football]]>
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                                        <![CDATA[&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Marseille, France: Manchester City have signed Argentina international goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli from Marseille on a two-year deal, both clubs announced on Wednesday.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The 34-year-old will serve as City&amp;amp;#39;s number-two goalkeeper behind Italian Gianluigi Donnarumma.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;amp;quot;This is an amazing opportunity for me and one I had to grasp,&amp;amp;quot; said Rulli, who returns for a second spell at City having spent the 2016/17 season at the Etihad without making a first team appearance.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;amp;quot;When the chance to join Manchester City comes along you have to go for it.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;amp;quot;Everyone knows what an impressive club this is.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;amp;quot;City&amp;amp;#39;s success over a long time has been impressive. Everyone I have spoken to about City said I had to join them because they are a club with incredibly high standards.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;amp;quot;My job now is to train hard, get to know the players and staff and do everything I can to reach my best level.&amp;amp;quot;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Rulli has won eight caps for Argentina and was in the squad that won the 2022 World Cup and 2024 Copa America and reached last month&amp;amp;#39;s World Cup final in which they lost to Spain.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;He previously played for European clubs including Real Sociedad, Villarreal, Montpellier and Ajax.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;He famously scored a penalty in Villarreal&amp;amp;#39;s 2021 Europa League final victory over Manchester United, before denying opposite number David de Gea to claim the trophy 11-10 in the shootout.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Having been fined 10 million euros for failing to meet UEFA break-even targets, Marseille have to sell players this summer to balance its books.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Marseille&amp;amp;#39;s fifth-place finish in Ligue 1 during the 2025-2026 season also means the club will not participate in the lucrative Champions League.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;On Tuesday, Marseille announced the departure of another Argentine player, defender Facundo Medina, to Bayer Leverkusen after just one season with the club.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Marseille had previously parted ways with some of its highest earners, such as English forward Mason Greenwood, who left for Fenerbahce, and Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who headed to Spanish side Deportivo La Coru&amp;amp;ntilde;a.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;
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                                <pubDate>
                                    <![CDATA[Wed, 12 Aug 2026 15:37:32 +0300]]>
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                                        <![CDATA[Afghanistan to host India for T20 cricket in Delhi]]>
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                                <link>
                                <![CDATA[https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/12/08/2026/afghanistan-to-host-india-for-t20-cricket-in-delhi]]>
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                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Sports]]>
                                </category>
                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Cricket]]>
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                                        <![CDATA[&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;New Delhi, India: Afghanistan will host India in a three-match Twenty20 international series in New Delhi next month, the cricket boards of both countries said Wednesday.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Afghanistan have long used India and the United Arab Emirates as home venues because of the country&amp;amp;#39;s political and security challenges.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The series will be played at New Delhi&amp;amp;#39;s Arun Jaitley Stadium on September 13, 15 and 17.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The Board of Control for Cricket India (BCCI) has supported Afghanistan&amp;amp;#39;s rise as a cricketing nation and hosted the neighbours for their debut Test in 2018.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;amp;quot;The BCCI remains committed to supporting the growth of cricket in Afghanistan and providing its players with opportunities to compete at the highest level,&amp;amp;quot; BCCI president Mithun Manhas said in a statement.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Afghanistan Cricket Board chairman Mirwais Ashraf hailed the upcoming series.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;amp;quot;This series holds great significance for Afghanistan cricket and represents another important step in the development of our longstanding relationship with the BCCI,&amp;amp;quot; Ashraf said.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;
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                                <pubDate>
                                    <![CDATA[Wed, 12 Aug 2026 10:36:24 +0300]]>
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                                <title>
                                        <![CDATA[Qatar basketball team undergoes training in Turkiye]]>
                                </title>
                                <link>
                                <![CDATA[https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/12/08/2026/qatar-basketball-team-undergoes-training-in-turkiye]]>
                                </link>
                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Sports]]>
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                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Basketball]]>
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                                <content:encoded>
                                        <![CDATA[&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Doha, Qatar: Team Qatar are holding a training camp in Turkiye as they prepare for the second phase of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 Asian qualifiers and the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Led by Turkish coach Hakan Demir, the squad are focusing on improving their technical and physical readiness ahead of a challenging schedule.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Qatar finished second in Group D in the first qualifying phase with 10 points, behind Lebanon on 11. In the second phase, Qatar are grouped with Lebanon, Japan, Republic of Korea, China and Saudi Arabia.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Qatar will open against China in Doha on August 27 before facing Japan away on August 30. The remaining fixtures are against Republic of Korea on November 26, Japan on November 29, China on February 26, 2027, and Republic of Korea on March 1, 2027.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;At the Asian Games, Qatar are in Group B with Iran, Jordan and Chinese Taipei. They will face Iran on September 10, Jordan on September 12 and Chinese Taipei on September 13.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;
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                                <pubDate>
                                    <![CDATA[Wed, 12 Aug 2026 09:07:16 +0300]]>
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                                <title>
                                        <![CDATA[European football returns to beIN Sports for 2026-27 season]]>
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                                <link>
                                <![CDATA[https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/12/08/2026/european-football-returns-to-bein-sports-for-2026-27-season]]>
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                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Sports]]>
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                                        <![CDATA[Football]]>
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                                        <![CDATA[&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Doha, Qatar: Barely three weeks after the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, European club football roars back to life this week &amp;amp;ndash; and fans across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) will not miss a moment, with beIN Sports (beIN) broadcasting the new season live and exclusive across 24 MENA markets. From the season&amp;amp;rsquo;s first trophy to its last, the region&amp;amp;rsquo;s leading sports broadcaster will once again be the exclusive home of Europe&amp;amp;rsquo;s biggest leagues and competitions.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Mohammed Al Bader, Managing Director of beIN Channels &amp;amp;ndash; MENA, said: &amp;amp;ldquo;We are excited for the start of the new European season. beIN has been the home of football in the Middle East and North Africa for more than two decades, and we look forward to continuing to raise the standards, pushing our potential, and providing the region with the live, exclusive, award-winning coverage fans have come to expect from us.&amp;amp;rdquo;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The action begins almost immediately.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The UEFA Super Cup &amp;amp;ndash; the traditional curtain-raiser of the European season &amp;amp;ndash; sees Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain face Europa League champions Aston Villa in Salzburg today, live and exclusive on beIN.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The Turkish S&amp;amp;uuml;per Lig and LaLiga kick off their campaigns on August 15, before Ligue 1 and the Premier League follow from August 21, when champions Arsenal raise the curtain at home to newly promoted Coventry City.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;In Spain, LaLiga is sure to provide fireworks as Jose Mourinho returns to the Real Madrid helm after a 13 year absence, while in France, European champions Paris Saint-Germain begin the defence of their Ligue 1 crown. Every match from the Premier League, LaLiga, and Ligue 1, alongside top fixtures from the Turkish Super Lig, will be broadcast live and exclusive on beIN, all season long.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Meanwhile, Egyptian superstar Mohamed Salah begins a new chapter in Turkiye with Trabzonspor following his move from Liverpool. Salah&amp;amp;rsquo;s key Super Lig matches will be broadcast live and exclusive on beIN, and its leading OTT platform, TOD by beIN.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;beIN&amp;amp;rsquo;s coverage of the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League also returns this month, with the decisive two-legged play-off ties broadcast live before the league phase gets underway in September &amp;amp;ndash; including the Champions League&amp;amp;rsquo;s opening night on 8 September.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Surrounding every match will be the coverage that has made beIN the region&amp;amp;rsquo;s undisputed home of football with dedicated studio programming, expert analysis from world-class regional and international talent, and multilingual commentary in Arabic, English and French. From the first whistle of the Super Cup to the last day of the season, fans across MENA can experience it all &amp;amp;ndash; live, exclusive, and in unmatched depth &amp;amp;ndash; on beIN Sports and TOD by beIN.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The full guide to beIN&amp;amp;rsquo;s schedule and programming is available at https://www.beinsports.com/en-mena/tv-guide&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;
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                                <pubDate>
                                    <![CDATA[Wed, 12 Aug 2026 09:01:04 +0300]]>
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                                <title>
                                        <![CDATA[PSG &amp;#039;want to win everything&amp;#039;, says Luis Enrique]]>
                                </title>
                                <link>
                                <![CDATA[https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/11/08/2026/psg-want-to-win-everything-says-luis-enrique]]>
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                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Sports]]>
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                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Football]]>
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                                        <![CDATA[&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Salzburg, Austria: Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique says the European champions &amp;amp;quot;want to win everything&amp;amp;quot; this season, ahead of their first chance of silverware in Wednesday&amp;amp;#39;s UEFA Super Cup final against Aston Villa.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;PSG secured their second straight Champions League title last term, as well as a fifth consecutive Ligue 1 crown, the UEFA Super Cup, the French Champions&amp;amp;#39; Trophy and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Luis Enrique&amp;amp;#39;s side get their new campaign under way in Salzburg against Europa League winners Villa.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;amp;quot;We have to show what our level is and that has to be shown on the pitch,&amp;amp;quot; the Spaniard told reporters.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;amp;quot;We want to win everything and, if you look at history, it&amp;amp;#39;s hard to win all the time. But that&amp;amp;#39;s what we want to aim for.&amp;amp;quot;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;PSG won the Super Cup 12 months ago with a penalty shoot-out victory over Tottenham.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;They have a strong recent record against English opposition, including beating Aston Villa in a dramatic Champions League quarter-final in 2024-2025.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;amp;quot;It&amp;amp;#39;s difficult to ascertain how they&amp;amp;#39;ll be after seeing only a few pre-season games,&amp;amp;quot; Luis Enrique said of facing Unai Emery&amp;amp;#39;s side.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;amp;quot;We&amp;amp;#39;ll see what sort of game it will be and what condition both sides will be in.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;amp;quot;Each opponent we&amp;amp;#39;ve faced over the last few years have shown how dangerous they can be. We&amp;amp;#39;re happy about how we were able to play. Our aim is to prove how unpredictable we can be.&amp;amp;quot;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Paris have taken a strong squad to Austria, including winger Bradley Barcola who has been heavily linked with a possible move to Liverpool.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;There is no place for recent signing Lucas Digne, though, just two days after the France left-back departed Villa Park to rejoin PSG.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;amp;quot;We shared a big hug yesterday. He congratulated me on all that I&amp;amp;#39;ve accomplished at the club and I did the same to him,&amp;amp;quot; said captain Marquinhos, who was Digne&amp;amp;#39;s teammate during the France international&amp;amp;#39;s first stint at the Parc des Princes from 2013-2016.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;amp;quot;He&amp;amp;#39;s had a long journey back, but I&amp;amp;#39;m so happy he&amp;amp;#39;s back. I&amp;amp;#39;m really happy he&amp;amp;#39;s here. He&amp;amp;#39;s a good guy and a good friend.&amp;amp;quot;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;
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                                <pubDate>
                                    <![CDATA[Tue, 11 Aug 2026 21:59:12 +0300]]>
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                                <title>
                                        <![CDATA[100 days to go until FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026]]>
                                </title>
                                <link>
                                <![CDATA[https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/11/08/2026/100-days-to-go-until-fifa-u-17-world-cup-qatar-2026]]>
                                </link>
                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Sports]]>
                                </category>
                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Qatar Sport]]>
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                                        <![CDATA[&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Doha, Qatar: With just 100 days to go until the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026, excitement is building for the prestigious youth tournament taking place in Qatar from November 19 to December 13, 2026.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;This year marks the second of five consecutive editions that Qatar will host annually through 2029, reaffirming its commitment to delivering world-class sporting events while strengthening the country&amp;amp;rsquo;s long-term football legacy.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Building on the success of the landmark 2025 tournament, which saw Qatar host the first-ever FIFA competition featuring 48 teams, this year&amp;amp;rsquo;s edition will once again welcome 48 nations competing across 104 matches. Fans can look forward to up to eight matches per day during an action-packed group stage.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The FIFA U-17 World Cup has long served as a launching pad for many of football&amp;amp;rsquo;s biggest stars, most notably, Egyptian forward and FC Barcelona player Hamza Abdelkarim, who made his debut at the FIFA World Cup 2026 following a breakout performance at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025. The tournament will once again provide the world&amp;amp;rsquo;s most promising young players with the opportunity to showcase their talent on football&amp;amp;rsquo;s biggest stage.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026 will be held at the Aspire Zone Competition Complex, with the final taking place at the iconic Khalifa International Stadium, where Portugal lifted the trophy last year in front of a crowd of 38,901 spectators.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;With all matches being held in a centralised venue, fans will be treated to an exciting festival-like atmosphere under the theme of TMRW&amp;amp;rsquo;s GOAT, celebrating young stars as well as exploring a number of cultural and entertainment activities taking place at the Fan Zone.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;This year&amp;amp;rsquo;s tournament coincides with a significant milestone for Khalifa International Stadium, which celebrates the 50th anniversary of its inauguration in 1976. One of Qatar&amp;amp;rsquo;s most iconic sporting venues, the stadium has previously hosted a number of major sporting events, including matches during the historic FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;
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                                <pubDate>
                                    <![CDATA[Tue, 11 Aug 2026 15:10:22 +0300]]>
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                                <title>
                                        <![CDATA[Sundowns, USM Alger to clash for African Super Cup on Nov 8]]>
                                </title>
                                <link>
                                <![CDATA[https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/11/08/2026/sundowns-usm-alger-to-clash-for-african-super-cup-on-nov-8]]>
                                </link>
                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Sports]]>
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                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Football]]>
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                                        <![CDATA[&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Doha: The Confederation of African Football (CAF) yesterday announced that the African Super Cup between South Africa&amp;amp;rsquo;s Mamelodi Sundowns and Algeria&amp;amp;rsquo;s USM Alger will be played on November 8 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Sundowns, the CAF Champions League winners, will face USM Alger, the CAF Confederation Cup champions, in a single match for the African Super Cup title.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Sundowns won the CAF Champions League for the second time last season after beating Morocco&amp;amp;rsquo;s FAR Rabat 2-1 on aggregate in the two-legged final.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;USM Alger secured the CAF Confederation Cup title after defeating Egypt&amp;amp;rsquo;s Zamalek 8-7 on penalties following a two-legged final.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Both teams have previously won the African Super Cup. Sundowns lifted the title in 2017, while USM Alger won it in 2023. Both will be aiming to claim the trophy for a second time.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;CAF also announced the dates for the preliminary rounds of the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup. First-leg matches will be played from September 4 to 6, 2026, with return legs scheduled from September 11 to 13.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;
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                                <pubDate>
                                    <![CDATA[Tue, 11 Aug 2026 10:08:13 +0300]]>
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                                        <![CDATA[QSL signs partnership deal with EAA Foundation]]>
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                                <link>
                                <![CDATA[https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/11/08/2026/qsl-signs-partnership-deal-with-eaa-foundation]]>
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                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Sports]]>
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                                        <![CDATA[Qatar Sport]]>
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                                        <![CDATA[&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Doha: The Qatar Stars League (QSL) announced the signing of a partnership agreement with Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, making it QSL&amp;amp;rsquo;s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) partner for two seasons (2026-2027 and 2027-2028).&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;It reflects QSL&amp;amp;rsquo;s commitment to strengthening its community role and supporting initiatives aimed at achieving a positive and sustainable impact.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The partnership comes under QSL&amp;amp;rsquo;s CSR programmes and stems from a shared belief in the importance of education as the cornerstone of building societies, empowering children and youth, and enhancing their opportunities for a better future.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;EAA Foundation believes that education is the most important means to combat poverty, build more just and peaceful societies, unlock the full potential of children and youth, and contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the United Nations.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;On the occasion, Executive Director of Sales, Marketing and Communication at QSL, Hassan Rabiah Al Kuwari expressed his delight at signing the agreement saying, &amp;amp;ldquo;We are pleased to sign this agreement, which comes under QSL&amp;amp;rsquo;s Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives. The Education Above All Foundation plays a pivotal role in this field through its programs and initiatives that extend across the globe, contributing to supporting the most vulnerable children and providing them with educational opportunities. We believe that education is a fundamental pillar for achieving human, social and economic development. At QSL, we&amp;amp;rsquo;re committed to supporting all initiatives that promote the values of development and excellence, and we look forward to this partnership contributing to achieving the shared goals of both entities.&amp;amp;rdquo;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Chief Operations Officer at EAA Foundation, Ali Turki Al Sobai, said, &amp;amp;ldquo;We are pleased to sign this partnership with Qatar Stars League, reflecting our shared belief in the role of sport in supporting education and empowering youth. Through this collaboration, we look forward to leveraging the immense popularity of football as a platform to inspire children and young people, raise awareness of the importance of access to education, and help build their skills, confidence and ability to contribute positively to their communities. Education and sport both play a vital role in preparing a more ambitious generation capable of leading a more inclusive and sustainable future.&amp;amp;rdquo;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;QSL announced yesterday its partnership agreement with EAA Foundation, coinciding with its announcement of a sponsorship agreement with Zoom Live, a leading creative production and live event management company. Zoom Live will be the Doha Bank Stars League&amp;amp;rsquo;s business partner and the official partner of the Qatar Cup for the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 seasons.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;QSL also announced the renewal of its partnership with The Look Company, which will continue to serve as the foundation&amp;amp;rsquo;s visual identity partner for three seasons (2026-2027, 2027-2028, and 2028-2029).&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;
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                                <pubDate>
                                    <![CDATA[Tue, 11 Aug 2026 10:05:40 +0300]]>
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                                <title>
                                        <![CDATA[QSL strengthens commercial ties with multi-year partnerships]]>
                                </title>
                                <link>
                                <![CDATA[https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/11/08/2026/qsl-strengthens-commercial-ties-with-multi-year-partnerships]]>
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                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Sports]]>
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                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Qatar Sport]]>
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                                        <![CDATA[&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Doha, Qatar: The Qatar Stars League (QSL) has strengthened its commercial and operational partnerships through new agreements with Zoom Live and The Look Company, covering the coming seasons.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;QSL announced a sponsorship agreement with Zoom Live, a creative production and live event execution company, making it the Doha Bank Stars League&amp;amp;rsquo;s Business Partner and Official Partner of the Qatar Cup for the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 seasons.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The agreement is part of QSL&amp;amp;rsquo;s strategy to strengthen partnerships with leading national and regional companies and support the development of its tournaments and events. It also aims to enhance the experience offered to fans and partners.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Zoom Live provides integrated services covering creative design, modern technologies, manufacturing, and the in-house management and execution of projects. The company has experience in official ceremonies, international sporting events, conferences, exhibitions, cultural programmes and special events.&amp;lt;img src=&amp;quot;/get/maximage/20260811_1786430708-189.jpeg?1786430709&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;width: 100%;&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:12px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;em&amp;gt;QSL Sales and Marketing Director Nasser Laram Salmeen (right) and Zoom Live Founder and CEO Hossam Maatouk signed the agreement.&amp;lt;/em&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Nasser Laram Salmeen, Director of Sales and Marketing at QSL, and Hossam Maatouk, Founder and CEO of Zoom Live, signed the agreement.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The announcement came alongside the renewal of QSL&amp;amp;rsquo;s partnership with The Look Company, which will continue as QSL&amp;amp;rsquo;s visual identity partner for three more seasons, covering 2026-2027, 2027-2028 and 2028-2029.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The renewed agreement extends a partnership that has lasted for more than 10 years and has supported the development of professional football match environments in Qatar.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Under the renewed partnership, The Look Company will continue to support the visual identity of stadiums, the identities of the league and clubs, and the delivery of matches and events.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The partnership is also aimed at improving organisational standards and enhancing the experience for fans, clubs and other stakeholders while strengthening the professional presentation of QSL competitions.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Nasser Laram Salmeen and Osita Nwandu, Director of Sales and Marketing at The Look Company, signed the renewed agreement.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;
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                                <pubDate>
                                    <![CDATA[Tue, 11 Aug 2026 09:42:09 +0300]]>
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                                <title>
                                        <![CDATA[Qatar drawn with Iran, Jordan and Chinese Taipei at Asian]]>
                                </title>
                                <link>
                                <![CDATA[https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/11/08/2026/qatar-drawn-with-iran-jordan-and-chinese-taipei-at-asian]]>
                                </link>
                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Sports]]>
                                </category>
                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Basketball]]>
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                                <content:encoded>
                                        <![CDATA[&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Doha, Qatar: The draw for the men&amp;amp;rsquo;s basketball competition at the 20th Asian Games &amp;amp;lsquo;Aichi&amp;amp;ndash;Nagoya 2026&amp;amp;rsquo; has placed Qatar in Group B alongside Iran, Jordan, and Chinese Taipei.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The Asian Games will be held in Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The organising committee confirmed the groups and schedule for the men&amp;amp;rsquo;s basketball tournament, featuring 12 teams divided into three groups of four. Qatar was drawn into Group B with Iran, Jordan, and Chinese Taipei. Group A includes Japan, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia, while Group C features China, the Philippines, Bahrain, and Kazakhstan.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Qatar will open their campaign against Iran on September 10, in the first Group B fixture. The team will then face Jordan on September 12 before concluding the preliminary round against Chinese Taipei on September 13.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The group stage runs until September 14, followed by the knockout phase beginning with the quarterfinals on September 16. The semifinals are scheduled for September 18, while the men&amp;amp;rsquo;s basketball competition will conclude on September 20 with the third‑place playoff and the championship final.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Qatar&amp;amp;rsquo;s participation in Nagoya comes against the backdrop of a distinguished history for the national basketball team (5&amp;amp;times;5). The team achieved a milestone by qualifying for the FIBA Basketball World Cup for the first time in 2006, when Japan hosted the tournament. That achievement marked a turning point in Qatari basketball, proving the team&amp;amp;rsquo;s ability to compete beyond regional and continental levels.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;On the continental stage, Qatar have twice won bronze medals at the FIBA Asia Cup, in 2003 and 2005. The national team also captured the Asian Challenge Cup title in 2004, adding a prestigious gold medal to its record.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Regionally, Qatar have maintained a strong presence through multiple participations in the Gulf Championship and the West Asia Championship, securing several titles and building a long legacy in regional competitions.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;
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                                <pubDate>
                                    <![CDATA[Tue, 11 Aug 2026 09:17:33 +0300]]>
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                                <title>
                                        <![CDATA[Fakhira impresses again at Liwa International Stakes in France]]>
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                                <link>
                                <![CDATA[https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/11/08/2026/fakhira-impresses-again-at-liwa-international-stakes-in-france]]>
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                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Sports]]>
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                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Horse Racing]]>
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                                        <![CDATA[&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Doha, Qatar: Fakhira (Al Mamun Monlau), a four-year-old Purebred Arabian filly, recorded another major success by winning the Gr.1 (PA) Liwa International Stakes &amp;amp;ndash; Wathba Stallions over 2000m at La Teste, France, yesterday.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The race was reserved for fillies and mares aged four and older and attracted a field of five runners.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Trained by Thomas Fourcy, ridden by Alexandre Gavilan and carrying the colours of Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari, the four-year-old filly, Fakhira confirmed her position among the leading fillies and mares of her generation with another impressive performance.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Fakhira came into the race after winning the Gr.1 (PA) Criterium des Pouliches &amp;amp;ndash; Yas Racing over the same course last month.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;This latest success gave Fakhira her second Gr.1 (PA) victory and took her career record to four wins from only five starts.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Fakhira broke well and was quickly positioned on the outside, racing just behind Labwa Al Cham (Al Mourtajez), who led that part of the field while staying away from the inside rail.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;El Bnoud (Azadi), meanwhile, headed the group racing closer to the rail, with Shagaf (Al Mourtajez) just behind her.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;img src=&amp;quot;/get/maximage/20260811_1786428964-12760.jpeg?1786428964&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;width: 100%;&amp;quot; /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:12px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;em&amp;gt;The connections of Fakhira celebrate after the Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari-owned filly won the Gr.1 Liwa International Stakes.&amp;lt;/em&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The positions remained much the same approaching the final turn, with Labwa Al Cham still leading Fakhira on the outside.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;As they entered the turn, the runners on the outside moved across towards the horses racing near the rail, bringing the field together.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Fakhira was still travelling very comfortably at this stage while most of her rivals were already being asked for an effort. Inside the final 300m, the race quickly developed into a battle between Fakhira and El Bnoud. But approaching the final 200m, Fakhira clearly had more to offer. She changed gear again and pulled away strongly from her rival to score by four lengths.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;El Bnoud finished second while Labwa Al Cham held on for third place.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Bred by Sheail bin Khalifa Al Kuwari, Fakhira is by Al Mamun Monlau out of Falsafah (AF Albahar), a winner over 1200m in Qatar at the age of four.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;
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                                <pubDate>
                                    <![CDATA[Tue, 11 Aug 2026 09:13:39 +0300]]>
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                                <title>
                                        <![CDATA[Harry Kane wins European Golden Shoe for second time]]>
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                                <link>
                                <![CDATA[https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/10/08/2026/harry-kane-wins-european-golden-shoe-for-second-time]]>
                                </link>
                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Sports]]>
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                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Football]]>
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                                        <![CDATA[&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Berlin: English striker Harry Kane has won the European Golden Shoe as Europe&amp;amp;#39;s top scorer for the 2025-26 season, Bayern Munich said in a statement on Monday.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The German club added that the European top-scorer title returns to Bayern Munich thanks to Harry Kane, who will receive the Golden Shoe as Europe&amp;amp;#39;s top scorer for the second time in his career, after winning it in 2024.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Kane now joins the list of players who have won the Golden Shoe twice, with only Argentina&amp;amp;#39;s Lionel Messi, who has won it six times, and Portugal&amp;amp;#39;s Cristiano Ronaldo, who has won it four times, ahead of him in this achievement.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Kane scored 36 goals in the Bundesliga, the same tally that earned him the award two years ago.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The English striker&amp;amp;#39;s goals helped Bayern Munich win several titles last season, including the Bundesliga, the German Cup and the German Super Cup.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Kane is scheduled to receive the award during a ceremony at the Bayern Munich Museum at the Allianz Arena on Aug. 19.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;
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                                <pubDate>
                                    <![CDATA[Mon, 10 Aug 2026 21:45:11 +0300]]>
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                                <title>
                                        <![CDATA[Al Mana honoured in Tashkent as Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships begin]]>
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                                <link>
                                <![CDATA[https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/10/08/2026/al-mana-honoured-in-tashkent-as-asian-youth-and-junior-weightlifting-championships-begin]]>
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                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Sports]]>
                                </category>
                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Qatar Sport]]>
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                                        <![CDATA[&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Doha, Qatar The Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships 2026 is currently underway in Tashkent yesterday and will run until August 14, with more than 300 weightlifters from 29 countries taking part.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The opening ceremony at the Olympic City of Tashkent was attended by officials, sports figures and representatives of national and international federations. Mohammed Yousef Al Mana, First Vice President of the Qatar Olympic Committee and President of the Qatar, Arab, Asian and Afro-Asian Weightlifting Federations, stressed the importance of youth and junior championships in developing future champions and providing young athletes with valuable international experience.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Earlier, Al Mana also chaired the Asian Weightlifting Federation Executive Office meeting at the Uzbek Ministry of Sports. It was attended by members of the executive office and leaders of the sports movement in Uzbekistan, headed by Uzbek Minister of Sports H E Adham Ikramov and Oybek Kasimov, Secretary General of the Uzbek National Olympic Committee.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The meeting discussed the future of the sport, upcoming competitions and preparations for the 2027 Asian Champi onships in South Korea, which will form part of the qualification process for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;On the sidelines, Uzbek Minister of Sports H E Adham Ikramov awarded Al Mana the Ministry&amp;amp;rsquo;s honorary medal, &amp;amp;ldquo;Excellence in Physical Culture and Sports&amp;amp;rdquo;, in recognition of his contribution to the development of weightlifting in Asia.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;
]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/10/08/2026/al-mana-honoured-in-tashkent-as-asian-youth-and-junior-weightlifting-championships-begin]]>
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                                <pubDate>
                                    <![CDATA[Mon, 10 Aug 2026 09:36:17 +0300]]>
                                </pubDate>

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                                <title>
                                        <![CDATA[Al Shamal bolster squad ahead of new season]]>
                                </title>
                                <link>
                                <![CDATA[https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/10/08/2026/al-shamal-bolster-squad-ahead-of-new-season]]>
                                </link>
                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Sports]]>
                                </category>
                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Football]]>
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                                <content:encoded>
                                        <![CDATA[&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Doha, Qatar: Al Shamal, last season&amp;amp;rsquo;s Qatar Stars League (QSL) runners up, have signed Tunisia international Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane from Egyptian club Al Ahly, the club announced yesterday.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The 21-year-old midfielder will join the team&amp;amp;rsquo;s training sessions ahead of the new season, which kicks off on August 20.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Ben Romdhane, standing at 1.85m, he began his senior career with Esperance de Tunis, making 93 appearances and scoring 19 goals between 2017 and 2023. He then moved to Hungarian club Ferencvaros, where he made 42 appearances and scored five goals before joining Egyptian giants in 2025.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Ben Romdhane made 33 appearances across competitions last season, scoring two goals and helping the Egyptian club win the Egyptian Super Cup.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;He has also been a Tunisia international since 2019, earning 58 caps and scoring seven goals.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;His arrival adds further strength to an Al Shamal squad preparing for its historic AFC Champions League Elite debut. The club have also signed&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Frenchman Wesley Said, Uruguayan Federico Bais, Ibrahim Coulibaly, Mohamed Rabie Hrimat, Abdelkarim Hassan, goalkeeper Saoud Al Khater, Ali Asad, Ahmed Sayyar and Adel Badr. They join an experienced group led by Baghdad Bounedjah, Jeison Murillo, Alex Collado, Akram Tawfik, goalkeeper Babacar Seck, Michael Termanini and Mowafak Awad.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Al Shamal are continuing their preparations with an intensive training camp in Mierlo, the Netherlands, under Spanish coach David Prats.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The camp runs until August 6, with daily sessions focusing on physical, technical and tactical development.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The team are also playing friendlies against Al Wasl of the UAE, Al Khaleej of Saudi Arabia, PSV Eindhoven of the Netherlands, and Belgian clubs Genk and Crossing Schaerbeek.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The European camp follows the first phase of preparations in Doha, with the coaching staff working on team cohesion, integrating the new signings and preparing for a demanding season.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;read-also&amp;quot;&amp;gt;
&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;read-also&amp;quot;&amp;gt;
&amp;lt;h5 class=&amp;quot;title boldti&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Read Also&amp;lt;/h5&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;ul&amp;gt;
	&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;/article/10/08/2026/lusail-leads-qatars-office-growth-with-45-rental-gain&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Lusail leads Qatar&amp;amp;rsquo;s office growth with 4.5% rental gain&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;
	&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;/article/10/08/2026/food-safety-department-intensifies-monitoring&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Food Safety Department intensifies monitoring&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;
&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;
&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Al Shamal enjoyed an outstanding 2025-26 Doha Bank Stars League campaign, finishing second with 40 points from 12 wins, four draws and six defeats.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;They scored 39 goals and conceded 28 to secure their first-ever AFC Champions League Elite qualification.Their performances were also recognised at the Qatar Football Association Awards. Prats won the Best Coach award, while Bounedjah was shortlisted for Best Player and Mohamed Manai for Best Under-23 Player.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Al Shamal will begin their 2026-27 Qatar Stars League campaign against Al Arabi at Al Thumama Stadium on August 21, aiming to build on last season&amp;amp;rsquo;s success and compete strongly onboth domestic and continental fronts.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;
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                                    <![CDATA[https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/10/08/2026/al-shamal-bolster-squad-ahead-of-new-season]]>
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                                <pubDate>
                                    <![CDATA[Mon, 10 Aug 2026 09:11:11 +0300]]>
                                </pubDate>

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                                <title>
                                        <![CDATA[Al Shamal lands Tunisia international Mohamed Romdhane from Egypt&amp;#039;s Al Ahly]]>
                                </title>
                                <link>
                                <![CDATA[https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/09/08/2026/al-shamal-lands-tunisia-international-mohamed-romdhane-from-egypts-al-ahly]]>
                                </link>
                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Sports]]>
                                </category>
                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Qatar Sport]]>
                                </category>
                                <content:encoded>
                                        <![CDATA[&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Doha, Qatar: Al Shamal, last season&amp;amp;#39;s Qatar Stars League runners-up, said Sunday that it had signed Tunisia international Mohamed Ali ben Romdhane from Egyptian club Al Ahly.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;In a statement, Al Shamal added that the Tunisian footballer had successfully passed his medical examination and is poised to join the team&amp;amp;#39;s training sessions ahead of the new season, which is set to kick off on Aug. 20 with the opening round of the Doha Bank Stars League.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Romdhane, 21, joined Al Ahly in the summer of 2025 from Hungarian Ferencvarosi TC and made 33 appearances in various competitions during the 2025-26 season, scoring two goals and helping the team win the Egyptian Super Cup.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The upcoming season is particularly significant for Al Shamal, which will make its historic debut in the AFC Champions League Elite.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The club has already signed Frenchman Wesley Said, Uruguayan Federico Bais, and Ibrahim Coulibaly.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;
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                                    <![CDATA[https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/09/08/2026/al-shamal-lands-tunisia-international-mohamed-romdhane-from-egypts-al-ahly]]>
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                                <pubDate>
                                    <![CDATA[Sun, 09 Aug 2026 20:33:07 +0300]]>
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                                <title>
                                        <![CDATA[Morocco, Algeria reach WAFCON semi-finals and World Cup]]>
                                </title>
                                <link>
                                <![CDATA[https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/09/08/2026/morocco-algeria-reach-wafcon-semi-finals-and-world-cup]]>
                                </link>
                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Sports]]>
                                </category>
                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Football]]>
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                                <content:encoded>
                                        <![CDATA[&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Johannesburg, South Africa: A triumphant night for North Africa ended on Saturday with hosts Morocco and Algeria reaching the Women&amp;amp;#39;s Africa of Nations (WAFCON) semi-finals and the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;They took contrasting paths to quarter-finals success as Morocco built a two-goal lead, then defended resolutely against South Africa for a 2-1 victory in Rabat.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Algeria fell behind against the Ivory Coast in Casablanca, then took advantage of their opponents having a player sent off to score twice and emerge 2-1 winners.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;In the semi-finals on Wednesday, Morocco will face defending champions Nigeria or Cameroon while Algeria tackle Ghana or giant killers Malawi.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;No north African nation has won the marquee African women&amp;amp;#39;s football tournament, which has been dominated by Nigeria with 10 titles.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The only other countries to became WAFCON champions since its debut in 1998 were Equatorial Guinea twice and South Africa once.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Morocco, runners-up to South Africa four years ago, led after 31 minutes thanks to a second goal of the tournament from Sakina Ouzraoui.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Hanane Ait El Haj increased the lead six minutes into the second half by converting a penalty. South African star Thembi Kgatlana then netted on 67 minutes to set up a tense finish.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;In Casablanca, Ines Konan put the Ivorians ahead on 29 minutes, but they were reduced to 10 players before half-time when teenager N&amp;amp;#39;Sira Ouedraogo was sent off.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Algeria struck twice within six minutes just before and after the hour mark through substitute Ines Khiri and Amira Braham to turn the match in their favour.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Between the Algerian goals, Ivory Coast squandered a chance to regain the lead when Rebecca Elloh struck the post from a penalty.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The red-carding of 18-year-old Ouedraogo, for kicking Algeria goalkeeper Chloe N&amp;amp;#39;Gazi in the face, proved pivotal as her team lost the ascendancy they established during the opening half.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;After barely threatening to score during the first 45 minutes, Algeria took control after the break and created enough chances to have won more decisively.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;
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                                <pubDate>
                                    <![CDATA[Sun, 09 Aug 2026 10:14:03 +0300]]>
                                </pubDate>

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                                <title>
                                        <![CDATA[Qatar U-20 crush Kapfenberger 7-0]]>
                                </title>
                                <link>
                                <![CDATA[https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/09/08/2026/qatar-u-20-crush-kapfenberger-7-0]]>
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                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Sports]]>
                                </category>
                                <category>
                                        <![CDATA[Football]]>
                                </category>
                                <content:encoded>
                                        <![CDATA[&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Doha: Qatar U-20 team recorded a convincing 7-0 win over Austrian side Kapfenberger today in a friendly during their training camp in Slovenia.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The team is preparing for the AFC U-20 Asian Cup qualifiers, scheduled from August 25 to September 6, with the finals set to be held in China in 2027. Qatar are in Group Five with Saudi Arabia, Oman and Hong Kong, with Doha hosting the matches.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The 32 teams in the qualifiers have been divided into eight groups. The eight group winners and seven best second-placed teams will join hosts China in the finals.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;
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                                <pubDate>
                                    <![CDATA[Sun, 09 Aug 2026 09:53:38 +0300]]>
                                </pubDate>

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