A historic first: Men’s football team crowned Education City League champions

Northwestern University in Qatar’s men’s football team made history this season, winning the Education City Universities League for the first time after a penalty shootout victory over Texas A&M at Qatar (TAMU-Q). The championship marks the University’s first league title and its first-ever appearance in the final, capping off a memorable and hard-fought tournament run.
 
The achievement represents a major milestone for the Wildcats, who reached the semifinals last year but fell short of the final. This season, the team returned stronger, more confident, and determined to go further—and they did.
 
The team, made up of 17 players from across all academic years, showed consistency and resilience throughout the competition. The Wildcats began the group stage with an emphatic 4–1 win over Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q), followed by a solid 2–0 victory against Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q).
 
A narrow 1–2 loss to Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) tested the squad early, but the response was decisive. The Wildcats bounced back with a strong 5–1 win over Weill Cornell Medicine–Qatar (WCMC-Q). The final group-stage match ended in a tight 0–1 loss to TAMU-Q, setting the stage for a potential rematch later in the tournament.

In the knockout stage, the team delivered one of its strongest performances of the season, defeating HBKU 3–2 in the semifinals to secure a place in the final for the first time. Awaiting them was TAMU-Q, the most successful team in the tournament’s history.
 
The final lived up to expectations. After an intense and evenly matched game ended in a 1–1 draw, the championship was decided by penalties. Under pressure, the Wildcats showed composure and confidence, converting their chances and sealing a landmark victory.
 
Captain Hamad Rashid Al Nuaimi from the Class of 2028 led the team through the tournament in his first season as captain and second overall appearance in the league. “We were underdogs going into the tournament,” he said. “But we started with confidence and passion. We believed in ourselves, and breaking the pattern against Texas A&M—who have won this tournament so many times—meant a lot to us. This win shows how far we’ve come as a team.”
 
The tournament also highlighted strong individual performances. Jassim Abdulkarim, a dual-enrolled student, finished as the tournament’s top goal scorer, playing a key role in the team’s attacking success. Nawfel Metidji led the competition in assists, consistently creating opportunities and supporting the team’s offensive play.
 
For Dean and CEO Marwan M. Kraidy, the team’s achievement reflects a broader culture at Northwestern Qatar. “This historic win reflects the spirit of excellence that defines Northwestern Qatar,” he said. “Our students pursue excellence in the classroom, in creative practice, and on the field. What this team accomplished—through discipline, teamwork, and perseverance—embodies the values we hold dear as an institution.”
 
Athletics play an important role in student life at Northwestern University in Qatar, fostering teamwork, leadership, and community alongside academic and creative pursuits. The men’s football team’s championship adds to a growing record of athletic achievement at the University, including past victories by the women’s basketball team in Education City competitions.