Qatar reach the World Cup on sporting merit for the first time, and the timing feels right. Julen Lopetegui confirmed his final 26-player squad on June 2, just days before the tournament, with Hassan Al-Haydos named captain. Almoez Ali, the country’s all-time top scorer, leads the attack as Al-Annabi target their first World Cup win.
The Qatar World Cup 2026 squad leans heavily on home-grown talent. Twenty-five of the 26 players turn out in the Qatar Stars League, with Cultural Leonesa defender Homam Ahmed the only European-based pick. Al-Haydos carries 188 caps as the most experienced man in the group. Qatar sit 55th in the FIFA ranking as of April 1, 2026, drawn in Group B with Switzerland, Canada, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is their second World Cup, but the first they have qualified for on the pitch.
This is your full Qatar squad list, schedule, and key player breakdown for the 2026 tournament.
Qatar 26-Player Squad for World Cup 2026
| Position | Player | Club | Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Meshaal Barsham | Al-Sadd | 28 |
| GK | Salah Zakaria | Al-Duhail | 27 |
| GK | Mahmoud Abunada | Al-Rayyan | 26 |
| DF | Boualem Khoukhi | Al-Sadd | 35 |
| DF | Pedro Miguel | Al-Sadd | 35 |
| DF | Lucas Mendes | Al-Wakrah | 35 |
| DF | Sultan Al-Brake | Al-Duhail | 30 |
| DF | Homam Ahmed | Cultural Leonesa | 26 |
| DF | Issa Laye | Al-Arabi | 28 |
| DF | Al-Hashmi Al-Hussain | Al-Arabi | 22 |
| DF | Ayoub Al-Oui | Al-Gharafa | 20 |
| MF | Karim Boudiaf | Al-Duhail | 35 |
| MF | Abdulaziz Hatem | Al-Rayyan | 35 |
| MF | Ahmed Fathy | Al-Arabi | 33 |
| MF | Assim Madibo | Al-Wakrah | 29 |
| MF | Jassem Gaber | Al-Rayyan | 24 |
| MF | Mohamed Al-Mannai | Al-Shamal | 22 |
| FW | Hassan Al-Haydos (C) | Al-Sadd | 35 |
| FW | Akram Afif | Al-Sadd | 29 |
| FW | Almoez Ali | Al-Duhail | 29 |
| FW | Mohammed Muntari | Al-Gharafa | 32 |
| FW | Ahmed Alaaeldin | Al-Rayyan | 33 |
| FW | Yusuf Abdurisag | Al-Wakrah | 26 |
| FW | Edmilson Junior | Al-Duhail | 31 |
| FW | Ahmed Al-Ganehi | Al-Gharafa | 25 |
| FW | Tahsin Jamshid | Al-Duhail | 19 |
(C) = captain. Squad as confirmed by the Qatar Football Association on June 1, 2026. Player ages are as of June 11, 2026, the opening day of the tournament.
For all 48 teams’ final selection, see our World Cup 2026 squads page.
Quick Stats
Qatar bring one of the most domestically based squads at the 2026 finals. Key numbers:
- Average age: 28.8 years
- Most-capped player: Hassan Al-Haydos (188 caps)
- Top scorer in the squad: Almoez Ali (60 goals, a Qatar record)
- Qatar Stars League players: 25
- European-based players: 1 (Homam Ahmed, Cultural Leonesa)
- Youngest player: Tahsin Jamshid (19)
- Oldest players: Hassan Al-Haydos and Boualem Khoukhi (both 35)
Key Players to Watch in the Qatar World Cup 2026 Squad
Akram Afif, Al-Sadd. Afif is the player who makes Qatar tick. The winger won back-to-back AFC Asian Cup titles in 2019 and 2023, and his three penalties in the 2024 final sealed the trophy. He brings 127 caps and 40 goals into the tournament. His dribbling and final ball are Qatar’s best route to scoring against stronger sides.
Hassan Al-Haydos, Al-Sadd. The captain leads Qatar at his first qualified World Cup after playing as host in 2022. At 35, the Al-Sadd forward holds 188 caps and 41 goals, the most experience in the group. His reading of the game and calm in possession set the tempo. Lopetegui leans on him to keep younger players composed.
Almoez Ali, Al-Duhail. Almoez is Qatar’s all-time top scorer with 60 goals. His nine goals at the 2019 Asian Cup set a single-tournament record for the competition. The Al-Duhail striker is a sharp penalty-box finisher who thrives on Afif’s service. He played at the 2022 World Cup and is still chasing his first goal at the finals.
Boualem Khoukhi, Al-Sadd. Khoukhi anchors the Qatar defence with 125 caps and an unusual 19 international goals for a centre-back. The Al-Sadd man is strong in the air at both ends and reads danger early. His experience matters against the physical forwards of Switzerland and Bosnia. He is the organiser Lopetegui’s back line is built around.
Tahsin Jamshid, Al-Duhail. Jamshid is the youngest player in the squad at 19. The Al-Duhail prospect earned his first cap in November 2025 and forces his way into a veteran group on form. He offers energy and directness off the bench, a sign of Qatar’s rebuild after the home World Cup.
Qatar World Cup 2026 Schedule
Qatar play all three group stage matches on the West Coast of North America. Kick-off times are listed in both Eastern Time (ET) and Arabia Standard Time (AST) for fans back home.
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Kickoff (ET) | Kickoff (AST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 13 | Switzerland | San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (Levi’s Stadium), Santa Clara | 3:00 PM | 10:00 PM |
| June 18 | Canada | Vancouver Stadium (BC Place), Vancouver | 6:00 PM | 1:00 AM (June 19) |
| June 24 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Seattle Stadium (Lumen Field), Seattle | 3:00 PM | 10:00 PM |
Qatar are holding their final camp in the United States ahead of the opener. A last warm-up match against El Salvador is set for June 6 in Los Angeles, following a 1-0 friendly defeat to the Republic of Ireland. All kick-off times follow the official 2026 World Cup fixture schedule, with group positions confirmed at the December 5, 2025 draw.
How Qatar Qualified for World Cup 2026
Qatar earned their place through AFC qualification rather than as hosts this time. They started the second round in a group with Kuwait, India, and Afghanistan. An 8-1 win over Afghanistan opened the campaign, with Almoez Ali scoring four. Qatar took 16 points from six games and advanced as group winners.
The third round proved far harder. Drawn with Iran, Uzbekistan, the United Arab Emirates, Kyrgyzstan, and North Korea, Qatar managed only four points from their first four games. Lucas Mendes struck a late winner in a 3-2 home victory over Uzbekistan to revive their hopes. A fourth-place finish sent them into the fourth round.
The fourth round was a home mini-tournament with Oman and the UAE. Qatar drew 0-0 with Oman, then needed to beat the UAE to go through. Boualem Khoukhi headed them in front just after the break, and Pedro Miguel added a second from an Akram Afif cross. The 2-1 win on October 14, 2025 in Doha confirmed a return to the World Cup. You can read the full Qatar World Cup history for the complete record.
Head Coach: Julen Lopetegui
Julen Lopetegui took charge of Qatar on May 1, 2025, signing through to the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. The Spaniard arrived with a heavy CV that includes spells coaching Spain, Real Madrid, Sevilla, Wolves, and West Ham. Qatar was his first national-team job since leaving Spain in 2018.
Lopetegui favours a possession-based 4-3-3 with a high defensive line and quick combinations through midfield. He inherited a squad rebuilding after the 2022 group-stage exit and steered them through a tough Asian qualifying path. Qualification in his first campaign bought him real credit with the federation.
His task now is to win Qatar a first World Cup point, then a first win. Expect a disciplined block out of possession, with Afif and Almoez Ali freed to attack on the break. That tournament experience could steady a young group on the biggest stage.
Group B at a Glance
Qatar face two European sides and co-hosts Canada in a balanced Group B.
| Team | FIFA Ranking | World Cup Appearances | Best Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | 17 | 13th | Quarterfinals (1934, 1938, 1954) |
| Canada | 27 | 3rd | Group stage (1986, 2022) |
| Qatar | 55 | 2nd | Group stage (2022) |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 71 | 2nd | Group stage (2014) |
Switzerland are the seeded side and clear group favourites under Murat Yakin. Canada carry home support and pace in wide areas. Qatar’s realistic target is to push for one of the eight best third-placed spots that reach the Round of 32. The Bosnia match in Seattle on June 24 could decide who finishes third. Follow the Group B standings as results come in.
FAQ About Qatar World Cup Squad 2026
What is Qatar’s nickname?
Qatar are known as Al-Annabi, meaning “The Maroon,” after the colour of their home kit. The maroon shirt has been the national team’s identity for decades. They also carry the Al Adaam nickname in local coverage.
Has Qatar ever won a World Cup match?
No, Qatar have never won a World Cup game. They lost all three group matches as hosts in 2022. Mohammed Muntari’s strike against Senegal was the country’s first ever World Cup goal, and he remains in the 2026 squad.
How many major trophies has Qatar won?
Qatar have won the AFC Asian Cup twice, in 2019 and 2023. Those back-to-back continental titles rank as the country’s biggest achievements. Akram Afif finished as top scorer of the 2023 edition with eight goals.
Has Qatar played Switzerland before?
Yes, once. Qatar beat Switzerland 1-0 in a friendly in 2018. The June 13 meeting in Santa Clara is the first competitive fixture between the two nations and opens Qatar’s group campaign.
Qatar’s World Cup 2026 Hopes
Qatar arrive as Group B underdogs but with a settled, experienced core. The Qatar World Cup 2026 squad mixes 35-year-old leaders like Al-Haydos and Khoukhi with quick attackers in Afif and Almoez Ali. Two Asian Cup titles show this group can win when it matters.
The best-case scenario is a result against Bosnia, a competitive showing versus Canada, and discipline against Switzerland. That could be enough to chase a third-place finish and a Round of 32 spot. Qatar won’t be favourites in any match, but a first World Cup win on merit is a fair and reachable goal.
