Madibo sees experience as key to Qatar’s ambitions

Doha, Qatar: Assim Madibo’s journey with Qatar has taken him from youth tournaments to continental glory and the FIFA World Cup. Along the way, the midfielder has accumulated lessons he believes could prove vital for Al Annabi in North America.

As Qatar prepare for the FIFA World Cup 2026, the experienced midfielder believes the time has come for Al Annabi to turn those lessons into results. catcross.biz

“We played all of these matches, and I think now it’s time to put all the experience we gained into practice, taking it one match at a time,” Madibo said as Qatar entered the final phase of preparations for their second consecutive appearance in the football showpiece.

For the 29-year-old, the upcoming tournament represents another chapter in a national team journey that has mirrored the rise of Qatari football itself.

From youth-level success to continental glory and World Cup participation, Madibo has been part of many of the milestones that shaped the current generation.

Having lost all three group matches at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Al Annabi now target a place in the knockout rounds for the first time.

Drawn in Group B alongside Switzerland, co-hosts Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar face a demanding challenge but one they believe they are better equipped to handle than four years ago.

The campaign begins against Switzerland on June 13 before matches against Canada on June 18 - a fixture scheduled for the early hours of June 19, Qatar time - and Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 24.

Madibo believes Qatar’s growing tournament experience could prove decisive.

“Of course, no match will be easy, not a single minute in any match will be easy,” he said.

“We’ll definitely face pressure during or before the matches, but I think we have enough experience to first adapt to the situation, and secondly, to help the younger players who have just joined the national team get into the tournament atmosphere early.”

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With several younger players entering their first World Cup environment, experienced players such as Madibo are expected to provide stability inside the dressing room.

“The more we help the young players, the more they’ll help us strengthen the team and perform well,” he said.

Madibo joined Aspire Academy in 2014 and within months, he was in Europe, signing for Austrian side LASK Linz, where he made his professional debut. Stints in Spain with Cultural Leonesa and in Belgium with Eupen followed before he established himself as a regular figure in Qatar’s national team setup.

Along the way, he represented Qatar at youth level, winning the AFC U-19 Championship in 2014 and playing at the FIFA U-20 World Cup the following year.

The midfielder’s senior international breakthrough came soon after. Since making his debut in 2017, Madibo has earned 49 caps and became part of the generation that delivered Qatar’s greatest football achievement, the country’s maiden AFC Asian Cup triumph in 2019.

There have also been disappointments. He missed Qatar’s successful AFC Asian Cup title defence in 2024 after being left out of the squad.

“It was a difficult journey, full of challenges, with many sacrifices. It started very modestly, and thank Allah I was able to achieve something for my country,” he said.

“I think it was successful, though it could have been better, but thank Allah I’m content with what Allah has written for me.”

Madibo credits mentality for helping him navigate setbacks throughout his career.

“Motivation comes from within. Deep down a player feels responsibility towards his country,” he said.

“I believe the most important thing for successful players is their mentality and self-confidence.”

With fans gearing to provide strong support to Al Annabi, Madibo said it will be huge motivation for players in the challenge.

“I remember my daughter attending a match for the first time, and I was so happy. We always look at the stands and see where our families are, a small gesture alone is enough to make us give our all. I hope we can bring joy to our fans in this tournament, God willing,” he said.

قبل أيام قليلة من استضافة المكسيك للمباراة الافتتاحية لنهائيات كأس العالم، احتشد آلاف الأشخاص في الشارع الرئيس للعاصمة في محاولة لتحطيم الرقم القياسي لأكبر موجة بشرية على الإطلاق.
واشتهرت الموجة المعروفة بـ +La ola+ في ملاعب كرة القدم المكسيكية خلال مونديال 1986 لتشجيع المنتخب الوطني، وسرعان ما تحولت إلى ظاهرة عالمية. تتمثل في الوقوف مع رفع الأذرع، ثم الجلوس عندما يحذو الآخرون حذوهم، محاكاة لموجة استمدت منها اسمها.
تجمّع السكان المحليون في وقت مبكر من صباح السبت، مرتدين قمصان المنتخبات الوطنية ورافعين الأعلام، وهم يرقصون على أنغام الموسيقى الصاخبة ويحرّكون أذرعهم وأرجلهم.
وقفت سالي أفيليس في الصف الأمامي من حشد امتدّ كيلومترين على طول شارع باسيو دي لا ريفورما الشهير، وهو شارع واسع يمرّ بقلب مكسيكو سيتي، وأعربت عن ثقتها في تحقيق رقم قياسي جديد.
وقالت صانعة المحتوى البالغة 31 عاما أقول إننا سنحطمه. نحن كثر بالفعل، ويمكننا فعلها!.
وأضافت سنفعلها لأننا لطالما فعلناها، في كل مباراة، في كل ملعب.
وانضمت إلى الحشد نساء يرتدين أثوابا فاخرة وأقنعة هياكل عظمية على غرار كاتريناس، وهي شخصيات أيقونية مرتبطة بعيد الموتى في البلاد.
عزف أعضاء فرقة لا سونورا سانتانيرا أنغاما استوائية، بينما قاد مُقدّم الحفل الحركة الجماعية وصاح قائلا انتباه! نركع، ننحني، ثم نقفز بأقصى سرعة. ارفعوا أيديكم عاليا!.
وبإشارة، وقف الصف الأمامي رافعا أذرعه ثم ركع، بينما كرر من خلفه الحركة تباعا حتى تمايل الحشد بأكمله كأمواج المحيط.
قالت غلوريا فراغوسو (55 عاما) وهي ترتدي غطاء رأس تقليديا لم أستطع تفويت فرصة المشاركة في هذا الحدث الرائع، ولإظهار للعالم حقيقة المكسيك: الأجواء، والمحبة، والوحدة، والسلام.
وأضافت معربة عن سعادتها أن المكسيك على أتم الاستعداد لاستقبال الجماهير القادمة لحضور نهائيات كأس العالم التي تستضيفها مع كل من كندا والولايات المتحدة.
لطالما عانت المكسيك من عنف العصابات لسنوات، وتعهدت السلطات بتعزيز الأمن مع استضافة البلاد لمباريات البطولة في مكسيكو سيتي ومونتيري وغوادالاخارا.
وأفادت السلطات الثقافية على مواقع التواصل الاجتماعي في وقت لاحق السبت بتحطيم الرقم القياسي لأكبر موجة بشرية، من دون تقديم تفاصيل.
وستعمد موسوعة غينيس للأرقام القياسية إلى تقييم ما إذا كان الرقم القياسي قد حُطّم بالفعل أم لا.

Doha, Qatar: The opening round of the Sport For All Track Series 2026 concluded successfully at the Aspire Indoor Running Track, organized by the Qatar Sports For All Federation under the umbrella of the Ministry of Sports and Youth.

The event attracted strong participation, with more than 300 male and female competitors from various age groups, including children, adults, and senior citizens.

The competition was structured across several timed categories to accommodate participants of different ages.

Adult runners aged 17 and above competed in races lasting between 15 and 30 minutes, while juniors aged 7 to 17 took part in a 10-minute race.

Children aged 3 to 6 participated in a five-minute event.

The format was designed to maximize participation by allowing competitors to complete as many laps as possible within the allotted time, ensuring fair opportunities for all entrants.

The series consists of four races, all scheduled to take place during June at the Aspire Indoor Track. The events provide participants with a unique sporting experience in a climate-controlled environment, offering ideal conditions for running during the summer season.

Executive Director of the Qatar Sports For All Federation, Abdullah Al Dosari said that the inaugural edition of the Sport For All Track Series has made a strong and promising start, characterized by excitement and competitive spirit.

He highlighted the significant turnout of families, noting that it reflects growing public awareness of the importance of running and its role in promoting health and active lifestyles.

Al Dosari emphasized that the federation places particular importance on summer sporting events that bring families together and encourage regular participation in physical activity.

He also noted that registration remains open for the remaining rounds of the series through the Sport For All mobile application.

The initiative offers participants access to suitable indoor venues and encourages year-round engagement in running events as part of the federation’s ongoing efforts to promote sports culture and increase participation in physical and recreational activities.

The four-race Aspire Indoor Track Series forms part of the Qatar Sports For All Federation’s annual calendar of events and championships. The federation organizes dozens of races and community-based sports initiatives throughout the year, aimed at engaging people of all ages.

In total, more than 850 sports and community events are scheduled for the current year, in line with the vision and strategic plans of the Ministry of Sports and Youth to strengthen the culture of physical activity and establish sport as a way of life for the widest possible segment of society.

Doha, Qatar: Qatar played out a goalless draw against El Salvador in their final pre-World Cup friendly at BMO Stadium, Los Angeles yesterday.

Julen Lopetegui tested 19 of his players in the match which served as the head coach’s final chance to evaluate his squad ahead of the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Qatar’s campaign opens against Switzerland on June 13, followed by a meeting with Canada on June 18, which kicks off in the early hours of June 19 Qatar time, before they wrap up the group stage against Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 24.

Qatar’s starting line-up against El Salvador featured a blend of experience and attacking quality, with Akram Afif, Yousef Abdurisag and Edmilson Junior leading the offence. Veterans Pedro Miguel and Boualem Khoukhi provided stability at the back, while Ahmed Fathy and Jassim Gaber anchored the midfield.

Qatar entered the match with a 2-0 advantage in their head-to-head record against the Central American side.

Issa Laye headed over from Afif’s cross from the right as Qatar produced the first real attack in the 13th minute.

A long-range effort from Edmilson Junior flew high as Qatar searched for an opening before the cooling break after 20 minutes.

Styven Vasquez registered El Salvador’s first attempt but his effort from distance went off target, before Mahmoud Abunada was called into action to deny him from the right side of the box after a sharp through ball from Marcelo Diaz.

Qatar came close to breaking the deadlock on the counter, but Afif’s shot from the centre of the box cleared the bar following a pass from Edmilson Junior.

Julio Sibrian’s volley wide of the left post proved to be the final chance of a closely contested first half, with Qatar shading possession.

Lopetegui made two changes at half-time, bringing on Assim Madibo for Fathy and Karim Boudiaf for Ayoub Alawi.

El Salvador started the second half on a bright note and Jefferson Valladares struck a dangerous shot that missed the top right corner. Ahmed Alaa then replaced Abdurisag and could have made an immediate impact but failed to connect a long ball.

The game swung in both halves, but there were no clear-cut chances.

Hassan Al Haydos replaced Afif, Tahseen Mohammed came on for Edmilson Junior, while Mohammed Al Mannai replaced Gaber in a triple substitution with 12 minutes remaining.

Alhashmi Alhussain also came on for the injured Laye, while Sultan Al Brake replaced Homam Al Amin in the 88th minute but the deadlock remained at the final whistle.

Belgium beat Tunisia 5-0 in Brussels in their final warm-up match before facing Egypt in their World Cup opener.

Belgium beat Tunisia 5-0 in Brussels in their final preparation match before opening their World Cup campaign against Egypt.

Leandro Trossard opened the scoring in the 27th minute before Charles De Ketelaere doubled Belgium’s lead early in the second half.

Kevin De Bruyne made it 3-0 in the 64th minute. Dodi Lukebakio added the fourth in the 84th minute before Nicolas Raskin completed the scoring two minutes later.

Tunisia finished the match with 10 players after Ismael Gharbi received a second yellow card in the 61st minute.

The result completed Belgium’s World Cup preparations under Rudi Garcia. The team had also beaten Croatia 2-0 in their previous warm-up match.

Belgium will start Group G against Egypt in Seattle on June 15. They will then face Iran in Los Angeles on June 21 and New Zealand in Vancouver on June 27.

The Pharaohs will play Belgium first before facing New Zealand and Iran.

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