Sharjah and Al Gharafa will kick off the 2026 UAE–Qatar Super Cup with a blockbuster opening fixture, as the two sides go head-to-head at Thani bin Jassim Stadium in Doha on Thursday, 22 January, with kick-off scheduled for 8:00 PM.
The encounter marks the first match in the Super Cup series and promises a fierce battle for silverware, with both teams entering the contest determined to lift the prestigious trophy.
Sharjah return to the UAE–Qatar Super Cup aiming to make their mark for a second time. The side previously featured in the inaugural edition of the competition in the 2023–2024 season, where they finished runners-up as Al Arabi claimed the title.
Despite narrowly missing out on the trophy, Sharjah impressed statistically in their debut Super Cup campaign. They recorded an average possession of 75% per match, created a clear-cut scoring chance, delivered 21 crosses, and achieved a crossing accuracy rate of 83.96%, underlining their attacking intent and control.
Nicknamed “The King,” the club now targets Super Cup glory against Al Gharafa, looking to write their name into the competition’s history in its third edition. Victory would also deliver their second trophy of the season, following their triumph in the Emaar Super Cup on 27 December.
For Al Gharafa, this fixture represents a historic first appearance in the UAE–Qatar Super Cup. The Qatari side enters the clash with clear ambition, seeking to secure the title on their debut and add a new honour to their decorated history.
The two teams are no strangers to each other this season. Earlier in the campaign, Sharjah and Al Gharafa met in the opening round of the AFC Champions League Elite, a thrilling encounter that saw Sharjah edge a dramatic 4–3 victory.
Sharjah currently boast seven major titles across all competitions, including one ADNOC Pro League crown, one UAE Pro League Cup, two UAE President’s Cups, and three UAE Super Cup titles. The club now sets its sights on an eighth overall trophy.
Al Gharafa, meanwhile, bring an illustrious record into the contest, having claimed 24 trophies to date. Their honours include seven Qatar Stars League titles, eight Emir Cups, three Qatar Cups, three QSL Cups, two Sheikh Jassim Cups, and one Arab Cup Winners’ Cup. Thursday’s final offers the chance to reach a milestone 25th title.
All eyes now turn to Doha, where pride, history, and silverware are on the line as Sharjah and Al Gharafa battle for Super Cup supremacy.
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