Al Gharafa players attend a training session in this file photo.
Doha, Qatar: Amir Cup winners Al Gharafa SC will begin preparations for the 2026-27 season next month, with an overseas training camp in Slovakia forming a key part of their build-up for the new campaign.
Al Gharafa enjoyed a successful 2025-26 season, lifting the Amir Cup title while finishing fourth in the Qatar Stars League with 36 points from 22 matches. The Cheetahs will now look to build on that success as they prepare for another competitive season on both domestic and continental fronts.
The club has scheduled the start of pre-season training in Doha on July 4 before departing for Slovakia on July 16 for an intensive overseas camp.
The training camp will be held at the X-Bionic Hotel in Bratislava and will run until August 3. During their stay, Al Gharafa are expected to play between four and five friendly matches as head coach Pedro Martins assesses the squad and oversees preparations ahead of the new season.
The team will return to Doha on August 3 to complete the final phase of preparations before the start of the new football season. The QSL season will kick off on August 20.
Al Shamal set for Netherlands camp
QSL runners-up Al Shamal SC will continue preparations for the 2026-27 season with a training camp in the Netherlands following an impressive campaign that saw the club finish second in the league standings under coach David Prats.
Al Shamal concluded the 2025-26 QSL season with 40 points from 22 matches, securing a historic runners-up finish and establishing themselves among the league’s top-performing sides.
The club will now aim to build on that momentum as they prepare for another challenging season.
The team will depart for the Netherlands on July 18, where they will undergo an intensive training schedule and test themselves against a number of regional opponents.
Al Shamal will begin their series of warm-up matches against Al Wasl Club on July 22 before taking on Al Khaleej Club on July 27. The Qatari side will then face Genk Club on August 1, followed by a clash against Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven on August 4.
The camp will conclude with a final friendly against Crossing Schaerbeek on August 5 before the squad returns to Doha the following day.
