Doha: The Qatar Stars League revealed Monday the details of the 2025-26 QSL Cup, which will kick off on Sept. 1. This announcement came during the draw ceremony held at the Torch Hotel. The participating teams, totaling 20, will be divided into five levels, each containing four teams. The process of determining these levels was based on the final standings of the teams in the First Division and Second Division Leagues from the previous season (2024-2025). As per the tournament system, each team will play 10 matches over 10 weeks against teams of different levels, with two matches from each of the five levels during the league stage.
According to Qatar News Agency, the first round will include 10 matches featuring teams such as Al Gharafa vs Al Sadd, Al Shahania vs Al Sailiya, and Al Wakrah vs Al Arabi. Other matches will be Al Markhiya vs Muaither, Al Ahli vs Al Duhail, Al Rayyan vs Qatar SC, Al Shamal vs Umm Salal, Al Kharaitiyat vs Lusail, Al Khor vs Al Bidda, and Al Waab vs Mesaimeer.
The new tournament rules allow for six foreign professional players on each team's match roster, along with youth and reserve players. The rules also state that the first and second-placed teams will qualify directly for the quarter-finals. Teams ranked third through fourteenth will advance to the next stage, participating in six knock-out matches, from which six teams will progress to the quarter-finals. This format continues in the semifinals and final.
The tournament's technical meeting was attended by representatives of the Foundation, the participating clubs, and the Referees Department of the Qatar Football Association, where new rules and regulations were reviewed. In a statement, QSL Director of Competitions Ahmed Salman Al Adsani confirmed that the new system aligns with the latest systems used in several continental and international tournaments. This change is part of a development plan to improve technical standards and increase the number of matches.
The tournament aims to provide young players with experience and to develop competitions for Second Division teams. Last season, Al Duhail won the title of the thirteenth edition of the tournament after defeating Al Arabi 2-1. Al Duhail and Al Gharafa are the most successful teams with three titles each, followed by Al Sadd and Al Sailiya with two titles each. Al Wakrah, Qatar SC, El Jaish, and Umm Salal have each won one title.