Doha, Qatar will host the Qatar Football Festival 2026 between March 26th and 31st, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for Football Events announced. The festival will feature the prestigious Finalissima 2026, pitting the European champions against the South American champions, alongside a series of international friendlies designed to prepare participating nations for the expanded FIFA World Cup 2026. The event aims to showcase Qatar’s continued commitment to hosting world-class sporting events.
The matches will involve national teams from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Serbia, providing crucial competitive experience ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This festival offers a unique opportunity for these teams to assess their strengths and weaknesses against strong opposition in a tournament environment. The LOC anticipates significant international interest in the event.
Qatar Football Festival 2026: A Key Preparatory Event
The Qatar Football Festival 2026 serves as a vital component in the build-up to the FIFA World Cup 2026. The expanded tournament format, increasing the number of participating teams from 32 to 48, necessitates more thorough preparation for all nations involved. These friendly matches will allow coaches to experiment with tactics and evaluate player performance under pressure.
The schedule includes the following matches: Egypt versus Saudi Arabia on March 26th at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, and Qatar versus Serbia on the same day at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium. The highlight, the Finalissima 2026, will see Spain face Argentina on March 27th at the iconic Lusail Stadium. Further matches are scheduled for March 30th and 31st, with Egypt playing Spain and Saudi Arabia facing Serbia, respectively, before Qatar takes on Argentina at Lusail Stadium.
Match Details and Venues
Lusail Stadium, the venue for the FIFA World Cup 2022 final, will host three of the six matches, including the Finalissima and the final game of the festival. The stadium has quickly become a symbol of Qatar’s sporting ambitions and a landmark for football fans globally. Ahmad bin Ali Stadium and Jassim bin Hamad Stadium will also be utilized, providing varied settings for the international contests.
According to the LOC, the choice of participating nations reflects a desire to provide diverse and challenging opposition for Qatar and the other invited teams. The inclusion of Argentina and Spain, recent continental champions, adds significant prestige to the event and will draw substantial media coverage. The participation of Saudi Arabia and Egypt also highlights the growing strength of football in the Arab region.
Tickets for the matches will go on sale February 25th, 2026, through roadtoqatar.qa. Prior to that, exclusive travel packages for international fans will be available starting February 1st, 2026, through a partnership between Visit Qatar and Qatar Airways. These packages are expected to include flights, accommodation, and match tickets, catering to a comprehensive fan experience.
H.E. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, LOC Chairman for Football Events, stated the festival is an opportunity to welcome players and fans as Qatar prepares to contribute to the FIFA World Cup 2026. He further emphasized Qatar’s dedication to delivering world-class experiences and solidifying its role as a key partner in the global football community. The event is also expected to boost Qatar tourism.
The success of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 has positioned the nation as a capable and reliable host for major sporting events. The infrastructure developed for the World Cup, including the state-of-the-art stadiums and transportation networks, will be fully utilized for the Qatar Football Festival. This event builds on that legacy and demonstrates Qatar’s long-term vision for sports development. The focus on World Cup preparation is central to the festival’s purpose.
Looking ahead, the LOC will focus on finalizing logistical arrangements and promoting the event to attract a large international audience. The level of fan engagement and the quality of the matches will be key indicators of the festival’s success. Further announcements regarding hospitality packages and potential broadcast partnerships are expected in the coming months.
