Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani (born 1978)

Sheikh Jassim is the third son of the former emir of Qatar, Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. His mother is Moza bint Nasser Al-Missned, the second wife of his father. ==Career==

After graduation, Sheikh Jassim was commissioned as second lieutenant in the Qatar Armed Forces on 9 August 1996. He was then appointed heir apparent of Qatar on 23 October 1996, replacing his older half-brother Mishaal bin Hamad Al Thani. Jassim later renounced his rights to succession in favour of his younger brother, Sheikh Tamim, on 5 August 2003. According to state-run Qatar News Agency, Jassim sent a letter to his father saying, "The time is appropriate to step down and prepare for a successor". He added in the same document, "I did not want, as I have told you from the start, to be appointed as crown prince", and noted he had only accepted the position due to "sensitive circumstances". Jassim was a personal representative of the former emir, and has been Honorary President of the Qatar National Cancer Society (QNCS) since 1997. Furthermore, he has been chair of the High Committee for Coordination and Follow-up since 1999, and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for the Environment and Natural Resources since 2000. He is also a patron of Aspire Academy since 2003, and on the Board of Trustees of Qatar Foundation. ==Attempted acquisition of Manchester United==

In February 2023, Jassim, through his Nine Two Foundation, confirmed that he had submitted a bid to acquire full ownership of English football club Manchester United, which had been put up for sale by the Glazer family. He was one of the principal bidders in a competitive process that also included British businessman Sir Jim Ratcliffe. His proposal included plans to clear its existing debt and invest in infrastructure and development. During the bidding process, Jassim submitted multiple offers, reportedly valued at around £5 billion, although these fell short of the Glazer family's reported £6 billion valuation. He remained committed to a full takeover, in contrast to rival proposals that involved partial ownership. In October 2023, he withdrew from the bidding process after negotiations with the club's owners failed to result in an agreement. The sale process subsequently concluded with Sir Jim Ratcliffe acquiring a minority stake in the club while the Glazer family retained overall control. ==References==