DOHA : Qatar will get a final opportunity to fine-tune their preparations for the 2026 World Cup when they face El Salvador in a friendly at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday.
The match marks the last warm-up outing for Julen Lopetegui’s side before the tournament begins across the United States, Canada and Mexico, with the Spanish coach expected to use the fixture to settle on his preferred starting lineup.
Qatar, who are holding their pre-World Cup training camp in Santa Barbara, California, head into the match looking to bounce back from a 1-0 defeat by the Republic of Ireland in Dublin last week.
The Asian champions will open their Group B campaign against Switzerland in San Francisco on June 13 before taking on hosts Canada in Vancouver on June 18 and Bosnia and Herzegovina in Seattle on June 24.
Lopetegui’s 26-man squad blends experienced internationals such as Akram Afif, Almoez Ali, Hassan Al Haydos and Karim Boudiaf with a new generation of players, with 12 members of the squad preparing for their first World Cup appearance.
Having lifted the Asian Cup in both 2019 and 2023, Qatar arrive at the tournament seeking to translate their continental success onto the global stage.
The Gulf nation endured a difficult debut World Cup campaign as hosts in 2022, failing to advance from the group stage. After securing qualification through the regular qualifying process this time, Qatar will aim to make a deeper run and reach the knockout rounds for the first time.
Saturday’s meeting with El Salvador is expected to provide a final test of tactics, combinations and match fitness before their World Cup challenge begins.
