QFA launches elite referees camp ahead of new season
DOHA: The Qatar Football Association (QFA) has launched an elite referees’ training camp as part of preparations for the 2026-27 football season, with the programme running until Aug. 18 in Doha.
The camp, being held at the InterContinental Doha Hotel, is designed to improve the technical and physical readiness of referees ahead of domestic and international competitions.
The programme combines classroom sessions with practical and physical training. Morning sessions feature technical lectures covering key aspects of refereeing and reviews of match incidents and situations officials could encounter during games.
In the evenings, referees are split into groups for practical exercises and fitness work. One group trains at Lusail Stadium, recreating match conditions, while another works on speed, endurance and overall fitness at the Al Ersal pitches.
The use of Lusail Stadium, a venue during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, allows officials to apply lessons from the classroom in realistic match situations.
Hani Taleb Ballan, chairman of the QFA Referees Committee, described the camp as an important part of the preparations for the season.
The 2026-27 campaign will also see the introduction of QSL 2 and QSL 3, increasing the number of fixtures and placing greater demands on officials.
“We seek to provide all the factors necessary for success for the referees,” Ballan said, adding that sustained preparation would be essential for a long season across multiple competitions.
