Doha: The Qatar Football Association (QFA) announced Wednesday the format for the 54th edition of HH the Amir’s Cup, scheduled to kick off midway through the 2025/2026 sports season.
According to Qatar News Agency, the tournament will feature the participation of 20 teams, including 12 First Division teams and 8 Second Division teams. These teams will be distributed based on the overall standings of the Qatar Stars League (QSL) and the Second Division League for the 2024-2025 season.
The QFA detailed that the preliminary stage of the tournament will commence with the Second Division teams only, utilizing a single-match knockout system. This stage will be based on the overall standings of the Second Division League for the 2024/2025 season. Four teams from this division will qualify to join the Round of 16.
The draw for the Round of 16 will involve 16 teams, classified into two groups. Group A will consist of the teams ranked first to eighth in the Qatar Stars League for the 2024/2025 season. Group B will
contain the teams ranked ninth to twelfth in the Qatar Stars League for the 2024/2025 season, along with the four Second Division teams that qualified from the preliminary stage.
The Round of 16 matches will be determined by a draw, leading to direct single-match knockouts between the teams from Group A and Group B.
The previous edition of the tournament witnessed Al Gharafa clinching the title for the eighth time in its history by defeating Al Rayyan 2-1 in the final match held at Khalifa Stadium last May. This victory adds to the historical achievements of various clubs, with Al Sadd holding the record of 19 titles, followed by Al Arabi with nine, Al Gharafa with eight, and Al Rayyan with six. Al Ahli and Al Duhail have each won four titles, Qatar SC has two, and Umm Salal has won the title once.