Latest news with #AspireAcademy
The Hindu
27-07-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
FIFA U-17 World Cup 2025 will be a huge motivation for next-gen players: Qatar's record goalscorer Almoez Ali
Only 100 days remain until the kick-off of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025. This will be the first FIFA World Cup to feature 48 teams, ushering in a new generation of young players to shine on a global stage. The prestigious youth competition will be held at the renowned Competition Complex at Aspire Zone, from November 3-27, with the final match taking place at Khalifa International Stadium, one of eight stadiums that hosted matches during Qatar 2022. Almoez Ali, Qatar's top scorer of all time, having netted 60 goals in 123 caps, is a graduate of the renowned Aspire Academy, a cornerstone of the Aspire Zone, where the tournament will be played. ✔️ Equal most goals at an Asian Cup – Almoez Ali ✔️ Goal difference of 16-0 ✔️ First team to not concede in opening six Asian Cup games High-flying Qatar 🇶🇦 ticking off milestones at #AsianCup2019#WorldCup Read more 👉 — FIFA (@FIFAcom) January 30, 2019 'The FIFA U-17 World Cup taking place at Aspire Zone will be a huge motivation for this next generation of players,' Ali said. Ali was part of Qatar's U-20 team, made up entirely of Aspire Academy graduates, which lifted the Asian championship in 2014. Since then, Ali has also guided Qatar's senior national team to two back-to-back AFC Asian Cups in 2019 and 2023. ALSO READ: Footballers' Union chief accuses FIFA of turning a 'blind eye to basic needs of players' 'They (the U-17 internationals) will all be looking to perform their best on the pitch. I'm sure they know how important this experience will be for their future,' said Ali. The U-17 World Cup has often been the launchpad for future stars of the game, such as Xavi Hernandez (1997), Gianluigi Buffon (1993) and Phil Foden (2017) in recent times.
Qatar Tribune
26-07-2025
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
FIFA U-17 World Cup will inspire new generation of players: Almoez
Only 100 days remain until the kickoff of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar will be the first FIFA World Cup to feature 48 teams, ushering in a new generation of young players to shine at a global stage. The prestigious youth competition will be held at the renowned Competition Complex at Aspire Zone, from November 3-27 with the final match being held at the Khalifa International Stadium, one of eight stadiums that has hosted matches during FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Almoez Ali, Qatar's top scorer of all time, having netted 60 goals in 123 caps is a graduate of the renowned Aspire Academy, a cornerstone of the Aspire Zone, where the tournament will be played. Ali was part of Qatar's U-20 team, made up entirely of Aspire Academy graduates, which lifted the Asian championship in 2014. Since then, Ali has also guided Qatar's senior national team to two back-to-back AFC Asian Cups in 2019 and 2023. 'The FIFA U-17 World Cup taking place at Aspire Zone will be a huge motivation for this next generation of players. They will all be looking to perform their best on the pitch. I'm sure they know how important this experience will be for their future,' said Ali. Since opening its doors in 2004, Aspire Academy has produced world and Olympic champions across multiple disciplines, including track and field athlete Mutaz Barsham, regarded as one of the best high jumpers of all time. For Ali, hosting the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 at the iconic venue will be a fitting tribute to the exemplary work done by the Academy in shaping Qatar's sports landscape. 'Being a part of the Aspire Academy as a young player and student in an environment that seamlessly merged academics with football really encouraged me to pursue the sport full time. We played against the best teams from Europe, Africa and South America. Competing against that type of pedigree was really important to us,' added Ali. Hosts Qatar have been drawn into Group A alongside Italy, South Africa and Bolivia. The young Maroons will kick off their campaign against Italy on 3 November. The team will look to improve on Qatar's highest achievement in the competition, when they finished in fourth place in 1991. 'For young players taking part in a competition with the magnitude of the World Cup, this will be a reminder of how hard work can enable you to play on the biggest stage, in the biggest tournaments. I am sure that this tournament will have huge benefit on the players, and that they will cherish the experience and learn and grow from it,' said Ali. A total of eight pitches from the Competition Complex at Aspire, built to the highest international standards, will host a total of 104 matches. Eight matches a day will be played during the group stage. Fans will also be able to enjoy several cultural activations in a vibrant fan zone that will be set up within Aspire Zone. The venue is connected seamlessly by public transport and will offer a barrier-free experience to disabled fans. Qatar is one of six Arab teams that have qualified to the tournament. They are joined by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco. The best achievement historically by any Arab country in the competition was in 1989 when Saudi Arabia claimed the title. For the full match schedule, visit: For all tournament related information, follow @RoadtoQatar on all major social media platforms.
Qatar Tribune
26-07-2025
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 to inspire new generation of talented players: Almoez Ali
Qatar national team star Almoez Ali affirmed on Saturday that the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 heralds the emergence of a new generation of young players destined to shine on the global football stage. The State of Qatar will host the tournament's first-ever 48-team edition at the Aspire Zone competition complex, from November 3 to 27, with the final match to be held at Khalifa International Stadium, one of the eight venues that hosted FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 matches. Speaking to the press as the 100-day countdown begins, Qatar's all-time leading scorer stated that participation in the U-17 World Cup offers major motivation for the next generation of players aiming to deliver peak performance in yet another global event hosted on Qatari soil after the 2022 World Cup finals. Almoez, who has scored 60 goals in 123 international appearances for Al Annabi, emphasized that players recognize the significance of this experience for their football futures, and that taking part in a tournament of this global stature yields tremendous benefits and positive outcomes for young players. He added that playing in one of the world's biggest tournaments fosters a sense of discipline and hard work, which reflects in the development of the players' skills and overall performance. The experience also instills pride as they participate in a sporting event that draws global attention. Almoez Ali, a graduate of Aspire Academy, widely recognized as a world-leading institution and a key pillar of Aspire Zone Foundation, was part of Qatar's U-20 youth team composed entirely of Aspire graduates, which won the AFC U-19 Championship in 2014. Since then, Almoez has led the senior national team in two consecutive AFC Asian Cups in 2019 and 2023. Since its launch in 2004, Aspire Academy has produced world and Olympic champions across a range of sports, enriching Qatar's and the global sports landscape, including track and field icon Mutaz Barshim, one of the greatest high jumpers in history. Almoez Ali views hosting the tournament in this iconic venue as recognition of the Academy's achievements and its pivotal role in shaping Qatar's sporting scene. He said that he is proud of his journey as a student and athlete at Aspire Academy, where academics blended seamlessly with football. This environment motivated him to fully commit to football as a career, adding that they played against some of the best teams from Europe, Africa, and South America, and undoubtedly, competing against such elite teams is extremely valuable to them. The tournament draw placed Qatar's U-17 team in Group A alongside Italy, South Africa, and Bolivia. They will begin their campaign against Italy on November 3, aiming to surpass the historic fourth-place finish achieved in the 1991 edition. Qatar is one of six Arab nations that qualified for the tournament, alongside Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco. Saudi Arabia holds the best Arab result in the tournament's history, having won the championship in 1989.
ILoveQatar.net
26-07-2025
- Sport
- ILoveQatar.net
Almoez Ali: The FIFA U-17 World Cup will be a huge motivation for the next generation of players
Only 100 days remain until the kickoff of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™. This will be the first FIFA World Cup™ to feature 48 teams, ushering in a new generation of young players to shine at a global stage. The prestigious youth competition will be held at the renowned Competition Complex at Aspire Zone, from 3-27 November, with the final match taking place at Khalifa International Stadium, one of eight stadiums that hosted matches during Qatar 2022. Almoez Ali, Qatar's top scorer of all time, having netted 60 goals in 123 caps is a graduate of the renowned Aspire Academy, a cornerstone of the Aspire Zone, where the tournament will be played. Ali was part of Qatar's U-20 team, made up entirely of Aspire Academy graduates, which lifted the Asian championship in 2014. Since then, Ali has also guided Qatar's senior national team to two back-to-back AFC Asian Cups in 2019 and 2023. 'The FIFA U-17 World Cup taking place at Aspire Zone will be a huge motivation for this next generation of players. They will all be looking to perform their best on the pitch. I'm sure they know how important this experience will be for their future,' said Ali. Since opening its doors in 2004, Aspire Academy has produced world and Olympic champions across multiple disciplines, including track and field athlete Mutaz Barsham, regarded as one of the best high jumpers of all time. For Ali, hosting the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™ at the iconic venue will be a fitting tribute to the exemplary work done by the Academy in shaping Qatar's sports landscape. 'Being a part of the Aspire Academy as a young player and student in an environment that seamlessly merged academics with football really encouraged me to pursue the sport full time. We played against the best teams from Europe, Africa and South America. Competing against that type of pedigree was really important to us,' added Ali. Hosts Qatar have been drawn into Group A alongside Italy, South Africa and Bolivia. The young Maroons will kick off their campaign against Italy on 3 November. The team will look to improve on Qatar's highest achievement in the competition, when they finished in fourth place in 1991. 'For young players taking part in a competition with the magnitude of the World Cup, this will be a reminder of how hard work can enable you to play on the biggest stage, in the biggest tournaments. I am sure that this tournament will have huge benefit on the players, and that they will cherish the experience and learn and grow from it,' said Ali. A total of eight pitches from the Competition Complex at Aspire, built to the highest international standards, will host a total of 104 matches. Eight matches a day will be played during the group stage. Fans will also be able to enjoy several cultural activations in a vibrant fan zone that will be set up within Aspire Zone. The venue is connected seamlessly by public transport and will offer a barrier-free experience to disabled fans. Qatar is one of six Arab teams that have qualified to the tournament. They are joined by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco. The best achievement historically by any Arab country in the competition was in 1989 when Saudi Arabia claimed the title. For the full match schedule, visit:
Qatar Tribune
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
Aspire Academy honours rising stars at graduation ceremony
Tribune News Network Doha Aspire Academy hosted a spectacular graduation ceremony last Wednesday to celebrate its 18th batch of graduates. The function was held in the presence of His Excellency Yasir bin Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Jamal, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Sports and Youth. Also in attendance at the prestigious event were Aspire Zone Foundation's Acting CEO, Abdullah Nasser Al Nuaimi and his predecessor, Mohammed Khalifa Al Suwaidi, now the Director General of Hamad Medical Corporation as well as Vice-President of the Qatar Football Association. They were joined by other dignitaries, families, and sports leaders, who paid tribute to the achievements of the Academy's 18th batch of graduates. A total of 46 student-athletes have joined the illustrious ranks of Aspire Academy alumni, bringing the total number of graduates to 688. The class of 2025 is made up of 20 footballers, four referees, 17 track and field athletes, three swimmers, and two squash players. The prestigious event, held at the iconic Aspire Dome, coincided with the Academy's 20th anniversary celebrations, which have marked two decades of excellence in nurturing Qatar's future sports champions. Following a reading from the Quran by graduating track and field athlete Osama Mahmoud, Aspire Academy's Deputy Director General, Ali Salem Afifa, addressed the ceremony to congratulate the graduates and their parents, as well as thank all the staff involved in their development. 'Today, a new generation of distinguished individuals joins the ranks of our graduates. We are confident that the future holds even greater success for them,' he said. 'We are also proud that several graduates from this batch will represent Qatar in November's Under-17 World Cup, hosted by Qatar. Aspire Academy and Aspire Zone Foundation's facilities will be at the heart of this major event. 'This graduation year coincides with the Academy's celebration of its 20th anniversary—a moment to reflect on past achievements and look forward with hope and confidence to continued success and raising Qatar's name high on the international stage.' On behalf of the school, Principal Jassem Al Jaber paid tribute to the last 20 years of Aspire Academy and wished the graduates all the best for their future. 'This graduation marks the latest chapter in twenty years of tireless work and continuous achievement, during which Aspire Academy has become a pioneering model in nurturing both athletic and academic talent. You are its finest fruit, having upheld standards of excellence and dedication,' he said. 'Aspire Academy has always been a complete system of success; we came together with a beating heart, working in the spirit of teamwork for higher goals, as witnessed by the generations we have developed, who have raised the profile of this great nation.' As part of the ceremony, guests enjoyed a series of spotlight videos that showcased Aspire Academy's mission and achievements. Among them was a compelling short film titled 'Mansour's Dream: Be a Star,' which captured the inspiring journey of a young boy aspiring to become a star athlete. The story highlighted the Academy's vision of balancing athletic ambition and academic excellence, as the boy's father emphasised the importance of education. The film beautifully illustrated how Aspire Academy empowers young talents in Qatar to pursue both dreams. Footballer Fahad Alhagri spoke on behalf of his classmates. 'We stand at the threshold of a new chapter in life, on the brink of a new horizon, after years of striving to do our very best at our esteemed Aspire Academy,' he said. With 688 graduates now part of its legacy, Aspire continues to shape the future of Qatar's athletic and academic landscape. The Class of 2025 leaves inspired and equipped to pursue new challenges, carrying forward the values of discipline, leadership, and national pride that define Aspire Academy.
