The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) has confirmed its participation in ongoing discussions with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) regarding the hosting of the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games, as part of the new host city selection process. This step comes within the framework of Qatar’s commitment to supporting the Olympic and Paralympic Movement and enhancing the role of sports in building bridges of communication, empowering youth, and spreading the values of peace.
In a statement on this occasion, Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the QOC and Chairman of the Bid Committee, said that Qatar believes in the power of sports to bring peoples and cultures together and unleash the potential of individuals. He emphasized that the bid reflects a national vision that considers sports a driver of development and a platform for promoting understanding and peace. He explained that Qatar’s sports infrastructure is 95% ready, and that there is a comprehensive national plan to ensure full readiness. He noted that the goal goes beyond organizing a successful tournament to include providing a global experience focused on the concepts of inclusiveness, sustainability, and international cooperation. This step aligns with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Third National Development Strategy, which places human, social, and economic development at the heart of its priorities and promotes investment in sports and culture as tools for development and building vibrant communities. The Qatar Olympic Committee confirmed that the bid will focus on empowering youth, transferring knowledge, and supporting environmental and social priorities, in line with the values of the modern Olympic movement. Qatar has a proven track record of success in organizing major international sporting events, having hosted 18 world championships over the past 20 years, most notably the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, the best edition in World Cup history, the 2015 World Handball Championship, the 2019 World Athletics Championships, the 2024 World Aquatics Championships, and the 2025 World Table Tennis Championships. It is also hosting major multi-sport tournaments, most notably the 2006 Asian Games. Doha is also preparing to host international championships such as the 2026 ISSF World Shooting Championships, the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup, and the 2030 Asian Games.
For his part, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani explained that the Olympic bid represents a new milestone in the country’s journey of national achievements and reflects Qatar’s advanced position on the international sporting scene. He added that if Qatar wins the bid, it will be the first country in the Middle East and North Africa to host the Olympic Games, emphasizing its readiness, given its world-class infrastructure, sports facilities, and advanced organizational expertise.
He pointed out that the bid builds on Qatar’s successes in organizing major sporting events, most notably the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which was described as the best edition in the tournament’s history. He also noted that Qatar has hosted numerous international tournaments, such as the 2015 World Handball Championship, the 2019 World Athletics Championship, the 2024 World Aquatics Championships, and the 2025 World Table Tennis Championships, in addition to its preparations to host the 2030 Asian Games. The Prime Minister emphasized that the bid reflects Qatar’s comprehensive vision to enhance the role of sports as a global language that supports sustainable development and brings peoples together. He pointed to its security capabilities, supported by modern technology, and the expertise gained from securing the 2022 World Cup, which will be leveraged in the future to secure the Olympic and Paralympic Games if Qatar hosts them. He concluded by emphasizing Qatar’s commitment to presenting a comprehensive bid based on readiness, confidence, and successful experiences, reflecting its national vision to achieve balanced development and enhance its position in international forums through sport as a means of rapprochement, understanding, and peace.
It is worth noting that the American city of Los Angeles will host the 2028 Summer Olympics, followed by the Australian city of Brisbane in 2032.
