DOHA : Qatar will head into the 2026 FIFA World Cup determined to improve on their disappointing debut four years ago and secure a place in the knockout rounds for the first time.
The Gulf nation, competing in their first World Cup earned through qualification rather than as hosts, have been drawn in Group B alongside Switzerland, Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Qatar open their campaign against Switzerland in San Francisco on June 13 before facing Canada in Vancouver on June 18 and Bosnia and Herzegovina in Seattle on June 24.
Qatar’s maiden World Cup appearance at the 2022 tournament on home soil ended in disappointment as they became the first host nation to lose all three group matches, falling to Ecuador, Senegal and the Netherlands.
Despite entering qualification as back-to-back AFC Asian Cup champions, Qatar faced a difficult path to the finals. After topping their second-round group, they finished third behind Iran and Uzbekistan in the decisive phase, forcing them into the Asian playoffs. A draw with Oman and a victory over the United Arab Emirates in Doha secured their berth.
Spanish coach Julen Lopetegui, appointed late in the qualifying campaign, guided the team to qualification and has blended experienced campaigners with 12 World Cup debutants in his 26-man squad.
Led by Asian Player of the Year Akram Afif and record scorer Almoez Ali, Qatar have completed training camps in Doha, Dublin and Los Angeles ahead of the tournament. Their final warm-up match comes against El Salvador on June 6.
With experienced figures including Hassan Al Haydos, Boualem Khoukhi, Karim Boudiaf and Lucas Mendes providing leadership, Qatar’s primary objective is to reach the round of 32 and achieve the best World Cup result in the country’s history.
