AFC · Group B
Qatar at FIFA World Cup 2026
Qatar qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026, the first 48-team edition, hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
Group B opponents
Qatar plays the following three teams in the group stage. Top 2 advance to the Round of 32; the 3rd-placed team can still advance via the best-3rd-placed playoff route (8 of 12 third-placed teams qualify).
Qatar fixtures
Qatar in the tournament
Qatar arrives at the 2026 World Cup ranked #53 in the FIFA World Ranking with a tournament strength rating of 58/100. AFC (Asia) sends 8 teams to 2026. South Korea, Japan, and Australia have all reached the knockout rounds in recent tournaments.
The 48-team format puts Qatar in Group B with Canada, Switzerland, Bosnia & Herzegovina. On FIFA ranking alone, the group averages #42, with Qatar in the middle of the pack. Top 2 advance automatically; the best 3rd-placed teams (8 of 12) also qualify for the Round of 32.
Qatar squad for World Cup 2026
Announced June 2, 2026 · 26 players · Head coach: Julen Lopetegui
Qatar's second consecutive World Cup, this time as visitors rather than hosts. Spanish coach Julen Lopetegui (former Spain, Real Madrid, Wolves, AC Milan manager) has taken charge. Captain Hassan Al-Haydos and striker Almoez Ali, the AFC Asian Cup top scorer, lead a squad almost entirely drawn from the Qatar Stars League. Open against Canada in Toronto on June 12.
Goalkeepers3
- Salah Zakaria(Al Sadd)
- Meshaal Barsham(Al Sadd)
- Mahmoud Abunada(Al Arabi)
Defenders8
- Boualem Khoukhi(Al Sadd)
- Pedro Miguel(Al Sadd)
- Sultan Al-Brake(Al Duhail)
- Al-Hashmi Al-Hussain(Al Arabi)
- Ayoub Al-Alawi(Al Gharafa)
- Issa Laye(Al Arabi)
- Lucas Mendes(Al Wakrah)
- Homam Al Amin(Al Sadd)
Midfielders6
- Ahmed Fathi(Al Sadd)
- Jassim Gaber(Al Gharafa)
- Assim Madibo(Al Duhail)
- Abdulaziz Hatem(Al Rayyan)
- Karim Boudiaf(Al Duhail)
- Mohammed Mannai(Al Sadd)
Forwards9
- Almoez Ali(Al Duhail)2019 AFC Asian Cup top scorer
- Akram AfifCaptain(Al Sadd)2024 AFC Asian Cup Player of the Tournament
- Tahsin Mohammed(Al Duhail)
- Edmilson Junior(Al Duhail)
- Ahmed Al-Janehi(Al Sadd)
- Ahmed Alaa(Al Gharafa)
- Hassan Al Haydos(Al Sadd)
- Mohammed Muntari(Al Duhail)
- Yusuf Abdurisag(Al Sadd)
Sources: Al Jazeera, Yahoo Sports. Squads may change due to injury or disciplinary action before the tournament.
Frequently asked questions about Qatar
When does Qatar play at the FIFA World Cup 2026?
Qatar plays 3 scheduled group-stage matches starting June 13, 2026. The opener is against SUI. See the full fixtures list below for every kickoff time and venue.
What group is Qatar in at the World Cup 2026?
Qatar is in Group B alongside Canada, Switzerland, Bosnia & Herzegovina. The top two from each group advance to the Round of 32, plus the 8 best 3rd-placed teams across all 12 groups.
What is Qatar's FIFA ranking?
Qatar entered the FIFA World Cup 2026 ranked #53 in the FIFA World Ranking. This places them in the wider qualifier pool. Rankings update through the qualification cycle.
Can Qatar win the World Cup 2026?
Qatar's pre-tournament strength rating is 58/100, derived from FIFA ranking, recent form, and squad depth. They are tournament debutants or lower-ranked qualifiers; reaching the second round would be a notable achievement. Try them in the bracket predictor to test your scenario.