Qatari football gears up for busy calendar next season

Doha: Qatari football clubs and national teams are gearing up for a busy schedule in the 2024 2025 season, which will feature both domestic and intern...

Doha: Qatari football clubs and national teams are gearing up for a busy schedule in the 2024-2025 season, which will feature both domestic and international engagements.

Kicking off on August 9, the new season will take off with the Ooredoo Stars League, followed by the Qatar Cup, and the Amir Cup.

The season’s calendar will also include the preliminary rounds of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League in August, as well as the 3rd stage of the AFC Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Qatari clubs will face new challenges when it comes to AFC competitions, when Qatar’s league champions, Al Sadd, and the runner-up, Al Rayyan, through two direct spots, make their entry into the AFC Champions League Elite, which will see 24 clubs compete, with each club playing against eight opponents within their region, in four home and four away matches.

The group stage will take place from September 16, 2024 to February 19, 2025. The Round of 16 will be held from March 3-12, with the final stage taking place from April 25 to May 4.