Fifa World Cup 2026: What you need to know about Qatar

Get the lowdown on every team at the 2026 World Cup. Here we take a closer look at Qatar.

What can I expect from Qatar?

Qatar racked up a series of unwanted records by a host nation when they made an inglorious debut at the 2022 World Cup.

They became the first to lose their opening fixture, the first to be eliminated after just two games and the first to lose all three matches. They bowed out with only one goal scored and seven conceded, leaving them statistically the tournament's worst team.

They partially redeemed themselves a year later by retaining the Asian Cup. Again competing on home soil, they lifted the trophy with a rare penalty hat-trick.

Now they have finally qualified for a World Cup on merit – although there was grumbling about that. They were controversially handed home advantage for the final three-team group, which was originally intended to be held at neutral venues. Their task in 2026 is to prove they belong on this stage.

What are Qatar strengths?

The squad has accrued plenty of recent tournament experience, while head coach Julen Lopetegui adds know-how.

And what about their weaknesses?

Partly due to their happy knack of winning hosting rights, Qatar don't get out much. Their friendly in Dublin in May ended a run of nine home games in a row, and was their first match outside Qatar in 11 months.

The defence is a concern – they had a goal difference of -7 in the main qualifying phase.

How might Qatar line up?

Which players should I look out for?

Much depends on Akram Afif, a winger with licence to roam. He scored a hat-trick of penalties to win the 2023 Asian Cup.

Qatar's plan is to be organised and then look to him to conjure some magic. He is considered one of the finest players to emerge from Asia in years.

Sudan-born striker Almoez Ali is the nation's all-time record goalscorer. The lively 29-year-old played all three World Cup matches four years ago, having previously won the Golden Boot at the Asian Cup and Gold Cup.

Versatile Portugal-born defender Pedro Miguel headed the decisive second goal against UAE that sealed qualification. He can play right-back or in the centre and has amassed more than a century of caps.

Who is Qatar's head coach?

First man home from the 2018 World Cup, Julen Lopetegui has since won the Europa League with Sevilla and taken Wolves and West Ham to lower mid-table finishes.

As a goalkeeper, he was a non-playing squad member for Spain at USA 1994.

How did Qatar qualify?

Qatar were chosen to host the final group phase, much to the fury of bitter rivals UAE. They met in the final game – UAE needed a draw; Qatar won 2-1

Where can I watch Qatar?

All of Qatar's matches will also be covered live on the BBC Sport website and app with updates, analysis, and fan reaction. Come and be part of it!

Give me a fact to impress my friends

Qatar, along with Saudi Arabia, has the highest proportion of squad members playing in its domestic league. The only player who doesn't is Spain-based full-back Homam Ahmed - but even he's on loan from a Qatari club.

Now give me some proper detail

If the Qatar squad was to sit down and tell sad stories from the World Cup, their manager could trump them. Eight years late, Julen Lopetegui finally gets to coach on the grandest stage. Pull up a chair…

Looking back, it's hard to escape the view that Real Madrid really could have handled things better. Lopetegui was in Russia preparing his Spain squad with their World Cup opener against Portugal just 48 hours away, when Real rang the President of the Spanish FA with some news. In five minutes' time, they were announcing that Lopetegui would become their new manager after the finals. The FA President sacked Lopetegui on the spot.

Within 24 hours, Lopetegui was being unveiled at The Bernabeu. Within five months, he was axed. Being sacked from two of the most prestigious jobs in football in the space of 139 days is a formidable cross to bear, but this son of a champion Basque stone-lifter was soon hoisting a heavy object into the sky himself – the Europa League trophy, won with Sevilla in 2020.

Now, via Wolves and West Ham, Lopetegui's World Cup story is all set for a happy ending.

As long as his signature isn't lying around on a contract somewhere…

How have Qatar done at previous World Cups?

Qatar became only the second host nation, after South Africa in 2010, to fail to advance from the opening phase of a World Cup – losing all three matches in 2022. The gulf state only played its first international in 1970.