Men's Ice Hockey
The Men’s Ice Hockey Team is an important part of the long-term development of ice hockey in Qatar. Its main objective is to strengthen the national team, develop local players, and build a strong and sustainable hockey program.
History and Development
Organized ice hockey began developing in Qatar in the early 2000s. In 2003, the Qatar International Ice Hockey League was established, representing one of the first stages in the development of organized ice hockey in the country.
The development of the sport later progressed from club and recreational competition towards a national team structure. On 18 May 2012, Qatar became a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). Qatar currently holds Associate Member status within the IIHF. According to IIHF data, Qatar has 92 senior male players and 66 youth players registered in the system.
Senior Male Players
Registered competitive athletes powering the senior national squad and domestic premier division leagues.
Youth Players
Dedicated junior development participants training across youth pipelines to ensure sustained national continuity.
International Competitions
Gulf Ice Hockey Championship
Qatar made its first appearance at the Gulf Ice Hockey Championship and won the bronze medal.
Gulf Ice Hockey Championship
Qatar hosted the championship. The national team reached the final and won the silver medal, finishing second behind the United Arab Emirates. The tournament was held from 28 January to 2 February 2016 in Doha.
IIHF Challenge Cup of Asia
Qatar made its first appearance in the IIHF Challenge Cup of Asia Division I, finishing fourth in the division / ninth overall.
Asian Winter Games
The Qatar Men’s National Ice Hockey Team participated in the Asian Winter Games in Sapporo, Japan, marking Qatar’s first participation in the ice hockey competition at the Asian Winter Games.
A NEW STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT
In recent years, men’s ice hockey in Qatar has been moving towards a more structured national team development system. The focus is placed on regular training cycles, improving player performance, developing local coaching capacity and gaining international competitive experience.
International training camps and joint training programmes have become an important part of the national team’s preparation. Overseas camps provide opportunities for intensive training, exhibition games and cooperation with experienced hockey specialists.
INTERNATIONAL TRAINING CAMPS AND COOPERATION
Cooperation with hockey organisations in Russia and Tatarstan represents one of the development directions. Areas of cooperation include:
TATNEFT ASIA CUP 2026
In June 2026, the Qatar Men’s National Ice Hockey Team participated in the TATNEFT Asia Cup 2026 in Kazan, Russia. The tournament was held from 20 to 24 June 2026 at Tatneft Arena and was played in the 3×3 format. The men’s professional division included teams from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Qatar.
Cooperation Agreement with ADIHIC
During the tournament, the Qatar Winter Sports Committee signed a cooperation agreement with the Association for the Development of Ice Hockey in the Islamic Countries (ADIHIC). The agreement focuses on technical cooperation, exchange of expertise and further development of ice hockey.
KEY DEVELOPMENT PRIORITIES
National Team Development
International Competition
Training Camps
Coach Development
Goaltending Development
Youth Pathway
Connecting the men’s national team with the youth development system:
Learn to Skate → Learn to Play → Junior Development → National Team Development.
International Cooperation
LONG-TERM OBJECTIVE
The long-term objective of men’s ice hockey in Qatar is to develop a sustainable national player and coach development system, providing a clear pathway from grassroots hockey to the national team and supporting the continued development of Qatari players and hockey professionals.