Qatar
🌍 World Cup Story
Qatar made their World Cup debut in 2022 as hosts — becoming the first host nation to be eliminated in the group stage, losing all three matches. That 2022 edition was the most controversial World Cup in history, surrounded by questions about the award of hosting rights, worker welfare, and the decision to hold it in November-December. But Qatar have since proven themselves on merit — winning the AFC Asian Cup in both 2019 and 2023, making them back-to-back continental champions. The 2023 triumph, on home soil in the final against Jordan, showed genuine quality. They qualified for 2026 through the AFC process. Akram Afif, their captain and talisman, is a Qatari success story.
📌 2026 Context
Two-time reigning AFC Asian Cup champions, this time earning their place through qualification rather than as hosts.
⭐ Stars to Watch
👕 Squad
🧤 Goalkeepers
Meshaal Barsham
Al-Sadd
Sami Al-Hamadani
Al-Duhail
Yousef Hassan
Al-Gharafa
🛡️ Defenders
Pedro Miguel
Al-Sadd
Bassam Al-Rawi
Al-Duhail
Tarek Salman
Al-Sadd
Abdelkarim Hassan
Al-Sadd
Mohammed Waad
Al-Rayyan
⚙️ Midfielders
Assim Madibo
Al-Duhail
Karim Boudiaf
Al-Duhail
Hassan Al-Haydos
Al-Sadd
Salem Al-Hajri
Al-Sadd
Ismaeel Mohammad
Al-Sadd
⚡ Forwards
Ahmed Alaaeldin
Al-Ahli
Jalmoud Hamid
Al-Rayyan
Akram Afif⭐
Al-Sadd
Almoez Ali⭐
Al-Duhail