As the dust settles on the Qatar Stars League season and anticipation builds for the Qatar Cup final, the spotlight now shifts to the country’s most cherished domestic competition – the Amir Cup. With the Round of 16 draw unveiled in Doha on Thursday, fans can expect a string of intense clashes, underlined by history, rivalry and ambition.
At the centre of it all is defending champions Al Sadd, who begin their quest for a record-extending 20th Amir Cup title against Al Kharaitiyat. Fresh off their league triumph and a spot in the Qatar Cup final, Al Sadd have their sights set firmly on a domestic treble. Their May 6 clash at Al Thumama Stadium promises to be anything but routine – Al Kharaitiyat, who battled past Al Bidda SC in a penalty shootout, arrive with nothing to lose.
Al Duhail, still smarting from missing out on the league title but buoyed by a thrilling Qatar Cup semi-final win over Al Gharafa, take on Al Sailiya on May 5. The Second Division champions are not to be underestimated, making this an early litmus test for Christophe Galtier’s side, who are chasing their fifth Amir Cup crown.
Al Gharafa, who ended the QSL season in third place, face a determined Al Khor. Meanwhile, the clash between Al Ahli and last year’s finalists Qatar SC is shaping up to be one of the most evenly matched contests in the round. Al Ahli’s top-four league finish gives them an edge, but Qatar SC have proven capable of springing surprises on the big stage.
Al Rayyan, chasing their first Amir Cup title since 2013, will begin against Lusail with renewed determination. “The format doesn’t allow many mistakes. We must start strong,” their coach Artur Jorge said. Also in action are Al Wakrah vs Umm Salal, Al Shahania vs Mesaimeer, and Al Shamal vs Al Arabi, all promising competitive football as teams aim to etch their name into the tournament’s rich history.
Adding grandeur to the competition, the iconic Khalifa International Stadium will host the Amir Cup final on May 24, with Al Thumama, Jassim Bin Hamad, and Abdullah Bin Khalifa stadiums also staging matches in the knockout rounds. The Amir Cup has long been known for drawing passionate crowds, with fans from across the country turning out in large numbers to support their clubs. With the Qatar Cup final between Al Sadd and Al Duhail also set for May 10, May is football at its finest in Qatar – packed with tradition, glory, and the hunger to win.
