DOHA - FIFA has reaffirmed its commitment to the development of domestic football in Qatar by renewing its strategic partnership with the Qatar Stars League (QSL) and the Qatar Football Association (QFA), in a move that underlines a shared vision to globalise the game and create broader pathways for clubs, leagues and players to compete at the highest international level.
The renewed collaboration was formalised through the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and H.E.
Jassim bin Rashid Al Buainain, President of both the QSL and the QFA. The signing ceremony took place on Qatar National Day, December 18, at the iconic Lusail Stadium, on the eve of the FIFA Arab Cup 2025 final between Jordan and Morocco.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Infantino said he was “delighted” to extend the MoU, describing it as a significant step in strengthening a long-standing strategic partnership focused on elevating professional club football.
He commended Qatar’s continued role as a trusted host of major FIFA competitions, including the FIFA Arab Cup, the FIFA Intercontinental Cup and the FIFA Under-17 World Cup.
“Through education programmes, knowledge exchange and enhanced support for player well-being, we are working together to ensure that talented players and ambitious clubs can flourish within a more competitive and sustainable global football ecosystem,” Infantino said.
Under the renewed agreement, FIFA will deliver tailored support across several key areas, including education and exchange programmes for club executives and agents, as well as comprehensive mental health and player well-being initiatives.
The next phase of cooperation will place particular emphasis on the Educational Programmes Project, prioritising practical, real-world application alongside academic learning.
For his part, Jassim bin Rashid Al Buainain highlighted that the renewed partnership reflects the depth and strength of cooperation between FIFA, the QSL and the QFA.
He noted that the agreement plays a vital role in advancing football development at both technical and administrative levels.
“This partnership spans multiple areas, from strategic and institutional development to technical growth, while also harnessing the region’s passion for football to promote peace and showcase the game’s universal values on a global stage,” Al Buainain said.
Qatar has been a central driver of football development in the region, from the establishment of the Qatar Stars League to hosting landmark tournaments such as the AFC Asian Cup in 2011 and 2023, the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, and the expanded FIFA Under-17 World Cup in 2025.
Looking ahead, the country is set to host the next four editions of the annual FIFA U-17 World Cup, further cementing its position as a global hub for football excellence.
