Doha, November 04 (QNA) - iHeartArabi has announced special coverage of the FIP Padel World Cup Qatar 2026, which is taking place in Doha from Nov. 2 to 7 at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex.

iHeartArabi, part of global media group iHeartMedia — the world's largest podcast publisher, provides daily coverage through interviews, discussions and reports from the venue.

At the center of the coverage is Padel Arabi, a daily podcast hosted by journalist Fheed Al Shammari and recorded live at the tournament. The program features international padel players, Qatari champions, federation officials and prominent figures from the worlds of sports and media.

New episodes are released each day of the competition, examining the tournament's defining moments, players' experiences and the sport's growing presence in Qatar and the wider region. Conversations with athletes, officials and other guests will also offer a closer look at the people and developments shaping padel.

The initiative reflects iHeartArabi's broader effort to expand Arabic-language podcasting by connecting local voices and stories with iHeartMedia's content and production experience. Its programming spans sports, culture, entertainment and human-interest subjects, with an emphasis on original content and conversations with influential figures.

The project also builds on a partnership announced last year between iHeartMedia and the Government Communications Office. The agreement aims to support the development of the podcast industry across the Middle East and North Africa, strengthen audio-production infrastructure and create opportunities for regional talent.

"The Padel World Cup in Doha presents an exceptional opportunity to create an interactive media experience that takes Arab audiences to the heart of the action," said Dina Al Hajjar, programs director at iHeartArabi. "It gives them the chance to get to know the sport's champions, officials and the stories behind the competition up close."

Through the studio and the daily podcast, Al Hajjar said, iHeartArabi hopes to combine in-depth conversations with the immediacy of live sports coverage, while reflecting the growing interest in padel and Qatar's role in hosting major international sporting events.

Qatar's hosting of the competition for the third time underscores the country's growing position in international padel, according to Redab Massoud, media and communications manager at the Qatar Padel Federation.

"Qatar's hosting of the Padel World Cup for the third time, bringing together leading men's and women's national teams, reaffirms international confidence in the country's ability to stage major sporting events and reflects its commitment to supporting the growth and development of padel," Massoud said. "We always welcome media initiatives that expand the sport's reach, showcase the stories of players and teams and bring audiences closer to the tournament, helping build greater interest in padel and support its development locally and internationally," she said.

iHeartArabi draws on iHeartMedia's global expertise in audio content production, with a focus on creating original programs and experiences that give local talent a platform to share their stories and reach wider audiences across the region and around the world, starting from Doha. For updates on the tournament coverage and new episodes of Padel Arabi, follow iHeartArabi on its digital platforms. (QNA)