Doha, December 29 (QNA) - The Qatari handball squad fell to Belarus 17-18 in a friendly preparation match held Monday ahead of the 22nd Asian Men's Handball Championship (22nd AMHC).

The tournament is scheduled to take place in Kuwait from January 15 to 26, 2026, serving as the Asian qualifier for the 2027 World Men's Handball Championship in Germany.

Qatar are slated to contest one final friendly match against the UAE next week before departing for Kuwait to participate in the continental tournament.

Qatar previously competed in a friendly match against Iraq on Saturday, taking a 33-23 victory, and, prior to that, played two preparatory matches against Saudi Arabia, losing the first 25-26 and winning the second 31-25.

Through these preparatory matchups, Qatar aim to achieve the highest possible level of readiness ahead of the main competition, in which the draw placed them in Group A alongside South Korea and Oman.

Group B comprises Bahrain, Iraq, China, and Jordan; Group C includes Kuwait, the UAE, Hong Kong, and India; and Group D features Japan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Australia.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the main round, which consists of eight teams distributed into two round‑robin groups.

From there, the top two teams in each group will progress to the semifinals and secure direct qualification to the 2027 World Championship.

Qatar are striving to clinch the Asian title they have captured in the last six editions and to earn qualification for the IHF tournament for the eleventh time in their history.

Their best finish on the global stage remains second place at the 2015 World Championship in Qatar.

In the most recent 21st AMHC, held in Bahrain last year -Qatar took a victory lap after claiming the continental crown by defeating Japan 30-24 in the final. (QNA)