Qatar have become the latest nation to name their squad for the 2026 World Cup, with 26 players named to try and achieve glory.
Qatar will be led into their second-ever World Cup campaign by ex-Real Madrid and West Ham United manager, Julen Lopetegui. He has been in charge for just under a year, leading Qatar to their first ever qualification to the World Cup after they hosted in 2022.
The players of Qatar aren’t the most well-known but some to look out for are Almoez Ali, who possesses a great record for his country, and Homam Ahmed, who is the only player in the Qatar squad who plays his football outside of the country’s top division.
- Bet £10 get £30
- Excellent Football Betting Options
- Extensive Bet-Builder
- Multi-Award Winning Bookmaker
New customers can sign up using bonus code SQUAWKA365, bet £10 and get £30 in Free Bets. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration Required. This code is for marketing and tracking purposes only. #Ad.
Qatar World Cup 2026 squad
| Squad number | Player | Position | Domestic club | International caps | International goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | Meshaal Barsham | GK | Al-Sadd (Qatar) | 52 | 0 |
| 21 | Salah Zakaria | GK | Al-Duhail (Qatar) | 8 | 0 |
| 1 | Mahmud Abunada | GK | Al-Rayyan (Qatar) | 4 | 0 |
| 16 | Boualem Khoukhi | DF | Al-Sadd (Qatar) | 115 | 20 |
| 2 | Pedro Miguel | DF | Al-Sadd (Qatar) | 98 | 3 |
| 14 | Homam Ahmed | DF | Cultural Leonesa (Spain) | 67 | 3 |
| 5 | Jassem Gaber | DF | Al-Rayyan (Qatar) | 31 | 1 |
| 3 | Lucas Mendes | DF | Al-Wakrah (Qatar) | 25 | 1 |
| 18 | Sultan Al-Brake | DF | Al-Duhail (Qatar) | 16 | 0 |
| 26 | Al-Hashmi Al-Hussain | DF | Al-Arabi (Qatar) | 7 | 0 |
| 13 | Ayoub Al-Oui | DF | Al-Gharafa (Qatar) | 5 | 0 |
| 4 | Issa Laye | DF | Al-Arabi (Qatar) | 3 | 0 |
| 6 | Abdulaziz Hatem | MF | Al-Rayyan (Qatar) | 117 | 11 |
| 12 | Karim Boudiaf | MF | Al-Duhail (Qatar) | 117 | 5 |
| 23 | Assim Madibo | MF | Al-Wakrah (Qatar) | 50 | 0 |
| 20 | Ahmed Fathy | MF | Al-Arabi (Qatar) | 47 | 0 |
| 17 | Ahmed Al-Ganehi | MF | Al-Gharafa (Qatar) | 13 | 1 |
| 10 | Hassan Al-Haydos | FW | Al-Sadd (Qatar) | 185 | 41 |
| 11 | Akram Afif | FW | Al-Sadd (Qatar) | 124 | 39 |
| 19 | Almoez Ali | FW | Al-Duhail (Qatar) | 115 | 55 |
| 9 | Mohammed Muntari | FW | Al-Gharafa (Qatar) | 67 | 16 |
| 7 | Ahmed Alaaeldin | FW | Al-Rayyan (Qatar) | 67 | 9 |
| 15 | Yusuf Abdurisag | FW | Al-Wakrah (Qatar) | 38 | 3 |
| 8 | Edmilson Junior | FW | Al-Duhail (Qatar) | 15 | 0 |
| 26 | Mohamed Al-Mannai | FW | Al-Shamal (Qatar) | 9 | 0 |
| 24 | Tahsin Jamshid | FW | Al-Duhail (Qatar) | 2 | 0 |
Qatar head into the 2026 World Cup as underdogs, but with genuine reasons for optimism. Coached by Julen Lopetegui – a man with serious pedigree from his time with Spain, Sevilla, and Real Madrid – they arrive better prepared than for their 2022 home debut, having actually qualified through AFC competition this time.
The squad’s backbone is familiar and battle-hardened. Akram Afif, a two-time AFC Player of the Year and Golden Ball winner at the 2023 Asian Cup, is their creative heartbeat and capable of moments that can unsettle any defence. Almoez Ali, the AFC qualifying top scorer with 12 goals, gives them a genuine threat up front. Captain Hassan Al-Haydos brings composure and experience with 184 caps.
Group B – featuring co-hosts Canada, Switzerland, and Bosnia and Herzegovina – is competitive but navigable. Switzerland are the obvious standout, but Qatar could realistically challenge for second place, especially with the Asian Cup pedigree this squad carries.
Lopetegui’s tactical discipline could be the difference between another group-stage exit and a genuinely historic run.
- Read more: Qatar World Cup 2026 odds
Three players to look out for this summer
Almoez Ali (Al-Duhail)
Almoez Ali, a pivotal figure for the Qatari national team, is poised to be a significant force in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Having been the top scorer in the Asian qualifiers with an impressive 12 goals, Ali’s prolific attacking prowess is undeniable. His ability to find the back of the net consistently for his country, coupled with his experience from starting all three matches in the 2022 World Cup, positions him as a crucial asset for Qatar.
Alongside star winger Akram Afif, Ali forms a formidable attacking partnership that will be vital for Qatar’s aspirations on the global stage. While his club form in the 2025/2026 Qatar Stars League shows a more modest return of one goal in 168 minutes, his proven track record in international competitions suggests he can elevate his performance when representing his nation. His potential impact lies in his goal-scoring ability and leadership in the final third, which could be instrumental in Qatar’s campaign.
Hassan Al-Haydos (Al-Sadd)
Hassan Al-Haydos, Qatar’s most-capped player and captain, will play a significant role in the 2026 FIFA World Cup squad, despite having briefly retired from international football in March 2024. His subsequent return underscores his immense value to the national team, particularly for his leadership and experience. Al-Haydos, a forward for Al Sadd, provides crucial stability and guidance to the squad, which successfully qualified for the 2026 tournament. While his goal-scoring might not be as prolific as younger teammates, his presence on the field and in the dressing room is invaluable. His ability to inspire and organize the team, especially in high-pressure situations, will be a key factor in Qatar’s performance. Al-Haydos’s impact will extend beyond statistics, shaping the team’s cohesion and tactical execution on the global stage.
Abdulaziz Hatem (Al-Rayyan)
Abdulaziz Hatem, a seasoned midfielder and captain for the Qatar national team, is set to be a vital component of their squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. His inclusion in the provisional squad highlights his continued importance, particularly for his experience and leadership in the midfield. While his recent club statistics for Al Rayyan in the 2025/2026 Qatar Stars League show a modest return of one assist in 922 minutes, his value extends beyond direct goal contributions. Hatem is known for his ability to control the tempo of the game, break up opposition attacks, and distribute the ball effectively, providing a crucial link between defence and attack. As a veteran player accustomed to success in the region, his calm presence and tactical understanding will be instrumental in guiding Qatar through the pressures of a World Cup campaign, offering stability and strategic depth to the squad.
Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets with Bet365
Not signed up to bet365 yet? Here's how to claim one of the best bookmaker welcome offers around...
- Open an account (here's a link)
- Make a qualifying deposit of between £5* and £10*
- Claim the offer to receive three times your deposit in 'Free Bets'.
- To release your 'Free Bets', place qualifying bets to the value of your qualifying deposit and allow those bets to settle.
- Your 'Free Bets' will become available shortly after your qualifying bets have settled
- To use your 'Free Bets', select 'Use bet credits' in the bet slip.
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.
Qatar World Cup 2026 fixtures
Read more:
