Qatar is preparing to make a strong statement at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, with a 243-athlete delegation set to represent the country at Asia’s biggest multi-sport event from 19 September to 4 October. The Qatari squad, announced by the Qatar Olympic Committee, comprises 184 male and 59 female athletes, who will compete across 26 sports and 32 disciplines.
The size and breadth of the team reflect Qatar’s growing sporting ambitions, with athletes set to compete in disciplines ranging from athletics, football, basketball and handball to judo, taekwondo, shooting, swimming, sailing, equestrian, boxing, weightlifting and table tennis. Qatar will also be represented in newer and increasingly prominent disciplines including 3×3 basketball, padel and esports.
There is plenty of momentum behind the delegation. At the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou in 2023, Qatar collected 14 medals, including five gold, six silver and three bronze. The Aichi-Nagoya Games therefore offer an opportunity to build on that performance while giving a new generation of athletes the chance to compete on one of the continent’s biggest sporting stages.
The upcoming Games will bring together athletes from 45 countries and regions, with around 11,000 athletes expected to compete. Aichi-Nagoya will also feature an expanded sporting programme, with new disciplines such as padel, teqball and mixed martial arts adding to the excitement surrounding the event.
For Qatar, however, the competition carries significance beyond the medal table. The country is preparing to host the Asian Games in Doha in 2030, making Aichi-Nagoya an important opportunity to gain experience and build momentum ahead of the next home edition.
With a sizeable contingent, a strong recent record and the spotlight firmly on its sporting development, Team Qatar heads to Japan with plenty to prove. As the Games approach, expectations will be high for the athletes to deliver standout performances, chase medals and lay another important foundation for Qatar’s ambitions on the Asian sporting stage.
