The Social and Sport Contribution Fund (DAAM) has signed a funding agreement with the Qatar Football Association (QFA) to support the Qatari Fans Delegation Program, aimed at backing the national team during the FIFA World Cup 2026.Under the agreement, the Fund will provide the necessary financial support to enable the Qatar Football Association to implement a comprehensive plan for transporting the Qatari fans delegation from the State of Qatar to the United States and Canada. The program includes travel arrangements, flight tickets through Qatar Airways, the official carrier, as well as hotel accommodations and local transportation.Secretary General of the Qatar Football Association, Mansoor Mohammed Al Ansari praised the agreement, stating: "We extend our sincere thanks to DAAM for this valuable cooperation and outstanding support in funding the travel arrangements for Qatari fans attending our national team's matches at the FIFA World Cup 2026. We look forward to a safe and successful journey, as well as exceptional support from our fans at this global event. Undoubtedly, this support from the Fund represents a key pillar in the implementation of our operational plans across all aspects, enabling us to deliver an outstanding fan experience for Qatari supporters during the FIFA World Cup 2026."For his part, Director of Programs at DAAM, Hassan Yousef Al Obaidly said: "We are proud to support this initiative, which goes beyond being merely a supporters' trip. It represents a message of loyalty and encouragement for our national team at the world's biggest sporting event. Through this support, we aim to remove all obstacles facing Qatari fans, enabling them to stand firmly behind Al Annabi and contribute to showcasing Qatar's identity on the global stage."The initiative is expected to facilitate the participation of approximately 1,000 individuals, including Qatari supporters, members of the supporters' association, media representatives, and players' families, to support the national team, strengthen media coverage, and create a vibrant atmosphere that will help drive the team toward achieving the best possible results at this global event.This agreement reflects the leading role played by both DAAM and the companies listed on the Qatar Stock Exchange in supporting sports initiatives, in line with the objectives of the Qatar National Vision 2030.

As food lovers in Qatar increasingly turn to digital channels for dining recommendations and new culinary experiences, businesses are investing more in branding, presentation and customer engagement to stand out in a competitive market.For Michelle Alcazar, social media has been instrumental in transforming a home-based venture into a thriving business. What began as homemade doughnuts shared with friends and family has grown into All About Doughnuts, an online bakery she co-founded with Qatari partner Aisha al-Ali in 2021.Their success reflects a broader shift in consumer behaviour, with social media playing a key role in influencing purchasing decisions and helping businesses connect with customers."People now spend more time on social media and are heavily influenced by online content creators when deciding what to buy or try," Alcazar told Gulf Times.Since launching the business, she has seen firsthand how digital platforms have changed the way consumers discover products and interact with brands. Her experience mirrors trends highlighted in Qatar's National E-Commerce Roadmap, which underscores the growing role of digital channels in connecting businesses and consumers. DataReportal's latest findings on Qatar also point to widespread social media use across the country.For food and beverage businesses, social media has evolved beyond a marketing tool. Recommendations from influencers, food bloggers and everyday users increasingly shape dining preferences and purchasing decisions, while visually appealing content helps brands reach wider audiences.The impact is particularly evident in the food sector, where products can quickly gain attention through photos and videos shared online. From artisanal pastries and speciality coffees to gourmet burgers and elaborate desserts, eye-catching offerings often generate engagement that translates into sales.Alcazar said consumers today are looking for more than just quality products."As a home business owner, I noticed that customers value not only the quality of the product but also the experience, presentation, online presence and personal connection with the seller," she said.Digital platforms have also created opportunities for entrepreneurs to build customer bases around niche products and specialised concepts. Alcazar said she has observed a rise in home-based and small-scale businesses, particularly among people seeking to turn hobbies and passions into commercial ventures."As a home business owner selling artisan doughnuts, I personally witnessed how more individuals became interested in turning their passions and hobbies into businesses," she said. "The online market became more active, creative and diverse compared to before."Her observations echo findings from a Qatar Development Bank study on home-based businesses, which identified growing interest in sectors such as food production, catering and speciality products. The study found that digital tools and social media platforms have expanded opportunities for entrepreneurs to build brands and connect directly with customers.Consumer expectations have evolved as well. Research on online food-ordering behaviour in Qatar suggests that convenience, accessibility and ease of ordering are among the factors influencing customer satisfaction. Those trends accelerated during the Covid-19 pandemic, when consumers became accustomed to digital interactions and delivery services.Alcazar believes those behavioural changes have endured. "Customers appreciate being able to order from home quickly and easily, especially for food and speciality items," she said. "There is also a greater openness toward trying new products and supporting small or home-based businesses."While digital platforms have opened new opportunities, they have also intensified competition. Businesses now compete not only on product quality and price but also on their ability to capture attention and remain visible in increasingly crowded online spaces.Standing out has become far more challenging than it was five years ago, Alcazar said."Many people now offer a wide range of products and services, especially within the food industry. Businesses now need to focus not only on product quality, but also on branding, customer engagement, presentation and consistency in order to stand out."