Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, former Emir of Qatar, died on July 12, 2026, at the age of 74, the Amiri Diwan announced [1, 2, 3, 4]. He ruled Qatar from 1995 until his voluntary abdication in June 2013 in favor of his son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani [1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7].

Sheikh Hamad seized power in a bloodless coup in June 1995 while his father was abroad [1, 2, 3, 6]. During his 18 years in power, he transformed Qatar from a relatively poor state with dwindling oil reserves into the world’s largest exporter of liquefied natural gas, significantly boosting its wealth and global stature [1, 6, 8, 7].

He founded the Al Jazeera media network, launched in 1996, which became a major international broadcaster [1, 2, 3, 6]. He also established the Qatar Investment Authority, which made prominent investments abroad including in the Harrods department store and Paris Saint-Germain football club [1, 8, 7].

Qatar won the rights to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup during Sheikh Hamad’s reign in 2010, the first Middle Eastern country to secure the event [1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10]. His foreign policy emphasized mediation and balance, maintaining ties with the US, Iran, and Islamist groups, extending Qatar’s influence in regional conflicts [6, 7].

His reign also faced criticism, notably allegations concerning the Qatar World Cup bid and treatment of migrant workers, with reported deaths among laborers since 2010 near 6,500, though Qatar was later cleared of corruption allegations [1, 6]. Sheikh Hamad introduced limited democratic reforms, including Qatar’s first municipal elections in 1999 and a constitution ratified in 2004, though wider legislative elections did not materialize [6, 8].

Educated at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, he joined Qatar’s armed forces in 1971 before assuming power [8]. During his leadership, Qatar’s population grew to approximately 2.5 to 3 million, mostly foreign workers [2, 3, 5].

Multiple world leaders expressed condolences. King Charles and Queen Camilla praised "his leadership, vision and commitment to the welfare of the Qatari people" [1]. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called him "a visionary leader who led Qatar to great levels of development and prosperity" [1]. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim described Sheikh Hamad as "a steadfast friend of Malaysia and a respected figure across the Muslim world" [11]. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi extended deepest sympathies to Qatar, praying for mercy and stability for the nation [12].

Singapore announced official delegations will visit Qatar on July 14, 2026, to convey condolences in person [9, 10].