Qatar announces delegation of 243 athletes for Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games

DOHA: Qatar will participate in the 20th Asian Games “Aichi-Nagoya 2026” with a delegation of 243 male and female athletes, the Qatar Olympic Committee announced.

The Games will take place in Japan from September 19 to October 4, bringing together athletes from across Asia for one of the continent's biggest multi-sport events.

Qatari Delegation Includes 427 Members

The Qatar delegation will comprise 427 people, including:

243 athletes — 184 men and 59 women
142 technical and administrative staff
23 administrative delegation members
16 media delegation members

Qatar will compete across 26 sports and 32 disciplines, represented by 18 national sports federations.

Qatar to Compete in 26 Sports

Qatari athletes will participate in a wide range of sports, including:

Athletics
Football
Basketball and 3x3 basketball
Handball
Volleyball and beach volleyball
Squash and padel
Taekwondo and judo
Artistic gymnastics
Golf
Shooting and swimming
Jiu-jitsu
Esports
Sailing and equestrian
Karate and fencing
Archery and wrestling
Boxing and weightlifting
Table tennis

The delegation will aim to deliver strong performances and further strengthen Qatar's position on the Asian sporting stage.

‘Mirqab’ Platform Launched

The Qatar Olympic Committee has also launched the “Mirqab” platform, providing a central digital window for following Qatar's participation in the Games.

The platform will offer news, updates, information and services related to the Qatari mission throughout the tournament.

Qatar House to Promote National Culture

The Qatar Olympic Committee will establish “Qatar House”, a dedicated hospitality venue designed to showcase and promote Qatari culture during the Games.

The venue will open on September 19, coinciding with the start of the Asian Games, and will remain operational until the closing of the event on October 4.

It will provide an opportunity to connect with visiting delegations and the public while presenting Qatar's culture and highlighting major developments and events taking place in the country.
Qatar House will also host celebrations honouring Qatari athletes who achieve notable results during the competition.

Aichi-Nagoya Games a Key Preparation for Doha 2030

The Aichi-Nagoya Games are considered an important preparation stage for Qatar ahead of the Doha 2030 Asian Games, which Qatar is set to host.

The Games will be centred in Nagoya and Aichi Prefecture, with competitions also taking place in nearby areas across Gifu, Shizuoka, Osaka and Tokyo prefectures.

The 2026 edition will feature 41 sports, 68 disciplines and 460 events, held across 53 competition venues and 75 training facilities.

Qatar's delegation intends to use the experience to prepare athletes and officials for the country's upcoming hosting responsibilities.

Preparations Underway Since Previous Asian Games

Ahmed Yousef Al-Darwish, head of the administrative delegation, said preparations for Qatar's participation began following the conclusion of the previous Asian Games in China.

A large working group has been coordinating with the country's sports federations to address logistical and operational requirements and create the best possible conditions for athletes.

He said the primary objective is to ensure Qatar is represented in an honourable manner while gaining valuable experience ahead of Doha 2030.

Women's Participation Reaches 31%

Women's participation is another notable aspect of Qatar's delegation.

According to Al-Darwish, 59 female athletes account for around 31% of the total participating athletes, which he described as a positive indicator of the growing role of Qatari women in sport.

Officials expressed hope that the female athletes will make a strong contribution to Qatar's medal ambitions during the Games.

Focus on Logistics and Athlete Support

Iman Al-Emadi, deputy head of the administrative delegation, said the committee has coordinated with all participating Qatari sports federations to prepare logistical arrangements and equipment.

The aim is to ensure athletes have suitable conditions throughout the competition period and can focus fully on their events.

She also highlighted the importance of women's participation and expressed hope that Qatari female athletes will contribute to winning medals and raising the national flag at the Asian sporting event.

Media Team to Highlight Qatar's Participation

Abdullah Mohammed Al-Marri, head of the media delegation, said Aichi-Nagoya 2026 represents an important milestone and a final major test before Qatar hosts the Asian Games in Doha in 2030.

He said the tournament will give Qatari athletes an opportunity to compete against some of Asia's strongest competitors while showcasing the progress made across different sports in Qatar.

The media delegation will also support Qatar's cultural presence through Qatar House and highlight the achievements of Qatari athletes throughout the Games.

Full Mission Readiness Ahead of the Games

Naji Al-Omari, a member of the administrative delegation, said preparations have covered hotels, transportation and other logistical requirements.

The objective is to ensure the entire mission remains fully prepared throughout the tournament and that athletes have the right environment to concentrate on their competitions.

With preparations now in place, Qatar is heading to Aichi-Nagoya 2026 with a 427-member delegation, including 243 athletes, while using the event as both a competitive opportunity and a crucial step towards hosting the Asian Games in Doha in 2030.