Qatar Sets Sights on Hosting the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games

After successfully hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2024 AFC Asian Cup, Qatar has officially stepped into the race to host one of the world’s most prestigious sporting events — the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2036.

The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) confirmed its engagement in advanced discussions with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), in line with the IOC’s updated host city selection process.

Having built a solid reputation as a premier destination for global sports, Qatar has consistently demonstrated its ability to host high-profile events. Its extensive experience and existing infrastructure make the country a serious and credible contender.

QOC President and Chairman of the Bid Committee, His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, expressed confidence in the country’s readiness, noting that 95% of the necessary venues and facilities are already completed. The remaining developments are part of a strategic national plan that aligns with Qatar’s long-term vision for sustainability and inclusive development.

“Our goal extends far beyond hosting the Games — we aim to deliver a meaningful and impactful experience that champions inclusion, sustainability, and international unity,” said Sheikh Joaan. He emphasized the unifying power of sport, especially in inspiring young people and strengthening global understanding.

Qatar’s Olympic ambition is closely tied to its National Vision 2030, which places strong emphasis on human, social, and economic development. The plan also supports the Third National Development Strategy, which encourages investment in sports and culture to build cohesive, active, and resilient communities.

Over the past 20 years, Qatar has hosted 18 world-class championships, a feat unmatched by many. Key milestones include the iconic 2022 FIFA World Cup, the 2006 Asian Games, the upcoming 2030 Asian Games, and global tournaments like the 2019 World Athletics Championships, the 2024 World Aquatics Championships, the 2025 Table Tennis World Championships, and the 2027 Basketball World Cup.

At the heart of Qatar’s bid lies a strong desire to use the Olympic platform to further national progress — focusing on innovation, knowledge exchange, environmental responsibility, and youth engagement, in alignment with both Olympic ideals and Qatar’s development priorities.

The bid is being shaped under the IOC’s revised selection approach introduced in 2019. This method replaces the traditional public bidding process with “targeted dialogues,” allowing for more flexible and discreet negotiations between the IOC and potential host nations. This process was used to select the hosts of the 2032 Summer Olympics (Brisbane) as well as the 2030 and 2034 Winter Games (French Alps and Salt Lake City, respectively).

Alongside Qatar’s capital Doha, several other cities and nations are currently involved in discussions with the IOC — including Nusantara (Indonesia), Istanbul (Turkey), Ahmedabad (India), and Santiago (Chile). Additionally, countries such as Saudi Arabia, South Korea (Seoul), Egypt, Hungary (Budapest), Italy, Germany (Berlin), Denmark (Copenhagen), and Canada (Toronto and Montreal) have also expressed interest in hosting the 2036 Games.