Qatar at the FIFA World Cup 2026

FIFA ranking: 55
Group: B
Confederation: AFC
Coach: Julen Lopetegui
World Cup titles: 0
Best result: Group stage (2022)

History

Qatar made their FIFA World Cup debut in 2022 as host nation, becoming the first Arab country to host the tournament. Their performance was historically poor: they lost all three group stage matches against Ecuador, Senegal, and the Netherlands, scoring just one goal and conceding seven. They became the first host nation in World Cup history to be eliminated in the group stage and to lose all their group games. The 2026 tournament marks Qatar's second World Cup appearance and their first achieved through standard qualification. Qatar has won the AFC Asian Cup twice, in 2019 and 2023.

Qualification

Qatar qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on October 14, 2025, with a dramatic 2-1 win over the United Arab Emirates in Doha. This was their first-ever qualification for a World Cup through the standard AFC qualification process, as their 2022 participation was guaranteed as host nation. Qatar won AFC fourth round Group A to secure their place automatically without needing to enter a further playoff round. This historic achievement means Qatar became the first nation to appear in back-to-back World Cups as both host (2022) and earned qualifier (2026).

Preparation

Qatar have been eliminated at the 2026 World Cup group stage, finishing bottom of Group B with 1 point from 3 matches. They drew 1-1 with Switzerland (June 13, Khoukhi 90+5'), lost 6-0 to Canada (June 18, reduced to nine men with red cards for Homam Ahmed and Madibo), then lost 3-1 to Bosnia and Herzegovina (June 24) in their final match. Hassan Al-Haydos scored their only goal against Bosnia (42'), but strikes from Alajbegovic (29'), a Sultan Al-Brake own goal (34'), and Mahmic (80') ended their campaign. Qatar exit at the group stage for the second consecutive World Cup.

Latest news

Lopetegui calls Qatar's World Cup campaign a 'historic step' despite group-stage exit

Thu 25 Jun · coach

After Bosnia's win eliminated Qatar, coach Julen Lopetegui called the campaign 'very, very positive', noting the nation's first qualification via standard process and first World Cup point. He acknowledged missed chances but praised the team's character, said the ageing seniors' example must ready young players for the future, and confirmed his contract runs through the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.

ewn.co.za · 2026-06-28
english.news.cn · 2026-06-28

Qatar eliminated at group stage after 3-1 defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina

Wed 24 Jun · matches

Bosnia and Herzegovina beat Qatar 3-1 at Seattle Stadium on 24 June. Alajbegovic (29') and a Sultan Al-Brake own goal (34') put Bosnia 2-0 up; Al-Haydos (42', assist Edmilson Junior) pulled one back before halftime. Mahmic sealed it (80'). Qatar finished bottom of Group B with 1 point from 3 matches (1 draw, 2 losses), their second consecutive group-stage exit.

espn.com · 2026-06-25
foxsports.com · 2026-06-25
aljazeera.com · 2026-06-25

Qatar beaten 6-0 by Canada; Homam Ahmed and Assim Madibo sent off

Thu 18 Jun · matches

Canada beat Qatar 6-0 in Vancouver on 18 June. David hat-trick (29', 45+3', 90+2'); Larin 16', Saliba 64', Al-Mannai OG 75'. Qatar finished with nine men: Homam Ahmed red (32', VAR last-man foul on Buchanan), Madibo red (51', foul leaving Kone with serious leg injury). Both suspended for the Bosnia match. Qatar 4th in Group B, 1 point.

espn.com · 2026-06-19
skysports.com · 2026-06-19

Qatar earn first-ever World Cup point with dramatic 1-1 draw against Switzerland

Sat 13 Jun · matches

Qatar drew 1-1 with Switzerland in Santa Clara on 13 June, claiming their first-ever World Cup point. Embolo converted a penalty (17') after Abu Nada fouled Freuler. Qatar defended deep throughout before Khoukhi headed home from a Homam Ahmed cross in the 90+5th minute to earn a historic equaliser.

espn.com · 2026-06-19
foxsports.com · 2026-06-19

Qatar have no injury or suspension concerns ahead of Switzerland World Cup opener

Fri 12 Jun · general

A June 12 preview of the Group B match against Switzerland on June 13 confirms Qatar have no major injuries or suspension concerns, giving coach Julen Lopetegui a full squad to select from. Qatar enter having gone winless in six straight matches, with their pre-tournament preparations described as lacking momentum, but with full fitness across the squad.

thehardtackle.com · 2026-06-12

Previews: Qatar to deploy counter-attacking 4-3-3 against Switzerland, Afif as key threat

Thu 11 Jun · general

Pre-match analysis identifies Qatar's likely approach as a compact defensive block with Akram Afif as the primary counter-attacking threat. The predicted XI: Abunada; Ahmed, Khoukhi, Pedro Miguel, Al-Oui; Fathi, Gaber, Boudiaf; Afif, Edmilson Junior, Almoez Ali. No injury concerns cited for Qatar ahead of the Group B opener.

rotowire.com · 2026-06-12
qna.org.qa · 2026-06-12

Lopetegui satisfied with El Salvador draw, turns focus to Switzerland opener

Mon 8 Jun · general

After the 0-0 draw with El Salvador, head coach Julen Lopetegui said the goalless game offered lessons as Qatar enter their final week before the Group B opener against Switzerland on 13 June. He noted the humid conditions mirrored the World Cup and said his line-up is not settled: 'We can still make changes... analyse many details over the coming week.' He rotated heavily and praised Switzerland.

thepeninsulaqatar.com · 2026-06-10
goal.com · 2026-06-10

Qatar held to 0-0 by El Salvador in final World Cup warm-up

Sat 6 Jun · matches

Qatar drew 0-0 with El Salvador at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on 6 June 2026, their last friendly before the World Cup. Qatar controlled long spells of possession but created little, extending a winless run. Ahmed Fathi was booked in the first half, and defender Issa Laye was replaced by Al-Hashmi Al-Hussain after an injury concern halted play in the 77th minute.

vavel.com · 2026-06-07
bolavip.com · 2026-06-07
espn.com · 2026-06-07

Lopetegui names final 26-man Qatar World Cup squad

Mon 1 Jun · squad

On 1 June 2026 head coach Julen Lopetegui submitted Qatar's final 26-player squad for the World Cup: 3 goalkeepers, 8 defenders, 6 midfielders and 9 forwards, almost all from Qatar Stars League clubs. Goalkeeper Shehab Ellethy and defender Rayyan Al-Ali were the two cuts from the 28-man group that played Ireland. Akram Afif, Almoez Ali and captain Hassan Al-Haydos lead the squad.

espn.com · 2026-06-02
en.wikipedia.org · 2026-06-02

Qatar lose 1-0 to Republic of Ireland in Dublin friendly; Almoez Ali sent off

Thu 28 May · matches

Qatar lost their pre-World Cup friendly 1-0 to the Republic of Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on 28 May 2026. Nathan Collins headed Ireland in front from a fifth-minute corner. Qatar struggled to create chances and striker Almoez Ali was sent off in the second half for an altercation with an opponent, leaving the visitors a man down.

vavel.com · 2026-06-02
outlookindia.com · 2026-06-02

Squad

Player	Position	Club
Meshaal Barsham	GK	Al-Sadd SC
Salah Zakaria	GK	Al-Duhail SC
Mahmoud Abu Nada	GK	Al-Rayyan SC
Boualem Khoukhi	DF	Al-Sadd SC
Pedro Miguel	DF	Al-Sadd SC
Sultan Al-Brake	DF	Al-Duhail SC
Lucas Mendes	DF	Al-Wakrah SC
Homam Ahmed	DF	Cultural Leonesa
Al-Hashmi Al-Hussain	DF	Al-Arabi SC
Ayoub Al-Oui	DF	Al-Gharafa SC
Issa Laye	DF	Al-Arabi SC
Abdulaziz Hatem	MF	Al-Rayyan SC
Karim Boudiaf	MF	Al-Duhail SC
Assim Madibo	MF	Al-Wakrah SC
Ahmed Fathi	MF	Al-Arabi SC
Jassim Gaber	MF	Al-Rayyan SC
Mohammed Al-Mannai	MF	Al-Shamal SC
Tahsin Mohammed	MF	Al-Duhail SC
Hassan Al-Haydos	FW	Al-Sadd SC
Akram Afif	FW	Al-Sadd SC
Almoez Ali	FW	Al-Duhail SC
Edmílson Junior	FW	Al-Duhail SC
Mohammed Muntari	FW	Al-Gharafa SC
Ahmed Al-Ganehi	FW	Al-Gharafa SC
Ahmed Alaaeldin	FW	Al-Rayyan SC
Yusuf Abdurisag	FW	Al-Wakrah SC