QATAR

Qatar is a two-time World Cup participant (2022 as host, 2026), playing its second consecutive World Cup. At the 2026 World Cup, Qatar plays in Group B against Switzerland, Canada, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Head coach Julen Lopetegui, a Spaniard, has been in charge since 2024 — the former Spain coach at Euro 2016 and former West Ham manager. The leaders: Akram Afif (Al-Sadd, MVP of the 2023 Asian Cup), Almoez Ali, Bassam Al-Rawi.

In 2022 Qatar hosted the World Cup — the most expensive in history at $220 billion of infrastructure spending. The team debuted as host without qualifying. All three group matches: 0:2 to Ecuador (the tournament opener), 1:3 to Senegal, 0:2 to the Netherlands. Qatar became the first host nation to lose all three group matches. A year later Qatar won the 2023 Asian Cup at home, beating Jordan 3:1 in the final — Afif scored a hat-trick of penalties. The triumph restored national pride.

Qualifying was dramatic after two lost play-offs in the Asian campaign. Lopetegui took over in 2024 after several coaching changes. A decisive 2:1 win over the UAE in the AFC playoff final secured a second consecutive World Cup. In Group B the main rival is Switzerland (the opener on June 13 in San Francisco). Matches are in San Francisco, Vancouver, and Seattle. After the Qatar 2022 collapse, the team's goal is to win its first World Cup point ever.

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