Qatar Stars League clubs Al Rayyan and Al Gharafa have embarked on international training camps as part of their preparations for the 2026-2027 season.
Al Rayyan are conducting their training camp in Spain from July 15 to August 5, following an initial phase in Doha. Under the direction of Spanish coach Vicente Moreno and his technical staff, the team is focusing on refining technical skills, physical fitness, and building cohesion between new and existing squad members. Their schedule includes daily intensive training sessions and a series of friendly matches against clubs such as England’s Rochdale AFC, and Spanish sides Albacete and CD Leganes, as well as Saudi Arabian club Diriyah. The team aims to sharpen readiness ahead of a demanding season.
Al Rayyan concluded the previous campaign in third place in the Doha Bank Stars League, accumulating 38 points from 11 wins, five draws, and six losses. They scored 46 goals while conceding 32. Additionally, the club secured its first Gulf Club Champions League title by defeating Saudi Arabia’s Al Shabab in the final. At the 2025-2026 Qatar Football Association Awards, striker Roger Guedes received the Mansour Muftah Award as the league’s top scorer with 21 goals, marking his second consecutive win, while goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada was named Best Goalkeeper. Abunada also represented Qatar at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Bolstering their roster, Al Rayyan have added players including Daoud Diakite, Diogo Amaro, Yousef Ayman, Ahmad Al Janahi, and Jassim Al Sharshani to a lineup featuring Guedes, Julian de Sart, Aleksandar Mitrovic, and others. The club recently appointed Luca Cattani as Technical Director. Al Rayyan will begin their new league campaign against Lusail on August 20 at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium and will also participate in the Gulf Club Super Cup match against Iraq’s Duhok on August 13.
Meanwhile, Al Gharafa are holding their camp in Bratislava, Slovakia, from July 16 to August 3, following preseason training in Doha which began on July 4. Under Portuguese coach Pedro Martins, the team emphasizes physical conditioning, technical skills, and tactical work in daily sessions. The camp also includes friendly matches against Slovak clubs AS Trencin and Samorin, as well as Saudi teams Al Hilal and Al Riyadh, aimed at integrating new signings with the established squad.
Al Gharafa finished the 2025-2026 league season in fourth place, earning 36 points from 11 wins, three draws, and eight losses, with 36 goals scored and conceded. The club successfully defended the Amir Cup title by overcoming Al Sadd in the final, having won the trophy the previous season after defeating Al Rayyan. This victory secured Al Gharafa a place in the AFC Champions League Elite. Defender Ayoub Al Oui was honored with the Best Under-23 Player Award at the Qatar Football Association Awards.
The club has strengthened its squad by signing Abdulrahman Faiz Al Rashidi, Mason Holgate, and goalkeeper Ahmed Kone. Coach Martins has extended his contract for two additional seasons. Their existing roster includes Yacine Brahimi, Fabricio Diaz, Ferjani Sassi, Jang Hyun-Soo, and others. Al Gharafa are set to open their league campaign against Al Shahania on August 21 at Khalifa International Stadium, with ambitions to build on their recent domestic and continental successes.