DUBLIN : Qatar national football team suffered a 1-0 defeat to the Republic of Ireland national football team in an international friendly on Thursday as both sides continued preparations for the 2026 World Cup.
Defender Nathan Collins scored the only goal of the match in the fifth minute in Dublin.
Both teams finished with 10 men after Ireland midfielder Jack Moylan was sent off shortly before halftime, while Qatar striker Almoez Ali received a red card in the 78th minute.
The friendly allowed Qatar coach Julen Lopetegui to rotate his squad and assess players ahead of the tournament.
Qatar are preparing for their second World Cup appearance after hosting the 2022 edition. They have been drawn in Group B alongside Canada men’s national soccer team, Switzerland national football team and Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team.
The team will next travel to the United States for the final phase of preparations, including a training camp and a friendly against El Salvador national football team on June 6.
