Doha, January 30 (QNA) - Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Doha hosted the charity football match "Match for Hope 2026," which concluded with Team Chunkz defeating Team AboFlah 8-7, in an event that brought together a distinguished group of global football legends and leading content creators.

The exceptional initiative is held annually with the aim of raising funds to support underprivileged children and youth who lack access to education, offering them a genuine opportunity for a better future across several countries in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. The match attracted 40,521 spectators and generated revenues of USD 12.4 million, all in support of projects run by the Education Above All Foundation.

The friendly encounter featured renowned football legends from around the world. Team Chunkz was coached by legendary French manager Arsene Wenger and included prominent stars such as Belgian international Eden Hazard, Brazilian defender Marcelo da Silva, and Spanish striker Diego Costa, alongside popular content creators including Mohamed Adnan, Sharky, AngryGinge, and Marlon.

On the other side, Team AboFlah was led by Italian coach Roberto Di Matteo and featured an impressive lineup including Thierry Henry, Franck Ribery, Gerard Pique, and Tim Cahill, as well as globally influential content creators such as MrBeast, KSI, Amr Nosouhi, and Osama Marwah.

Speaking after the match, Wenger described the event as taking place in an outstanding atmosphere with remarkable fan attendance, noting that spectators thoroughly enjoyed both the match and its accompanying activities. He emphasized that this exceptional charity event, supported by world-class football stars, reflects the powerful role of sport and its values in advancing development and peace, while contributing to providing children with opportunities to build a brighter future and achieve their aspirations.

Former Real Madrid player Matheus da Silva praised the high level of organization and expressed his pride in participating in the charity match, highlighting the strong presence of global football stars. He commended such initiatives for achieving multiple objectives, particularly their focus on supporting children’s education.

For his part, former Arsenal and France star Thierry Henry expressed his happiness at taking part in the charity event in support of educational projects for children. He noted that the large turnout underscores the collective commitment to backing the initiative and contributing to improving educational opportunities for children worldwide. (QNA)