Qatar have moved from qualification talk into squad talk for World Cup 2026. This page tracks the announced squad status as of May 20, 2026, the key names, group-stage fixtures and the selection questions that matter before kickoff.
Qatar squad status
| Squad detail | Current status |
|---|---|
| Team | Qatar |
| Coach | Julen Lopetegui |
| Announcement status | Qatar named a 34-player preliminary squad on 13 May 2026. |
| Group | Group B with Canada, Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| Final FIFA list note | National announcements can still change before FIFA confirms final squad lists around 2 June 2026. |
Key squad story
Akram Afif and Almoez Ali remain the headline attacking names.
Sebastian Soria is included and could chase oldest-player tournament records if he makes the final squad and appears.
The list is preliminary, so Qatar must cut down from 34 to the final FIFA limit.
Full announced squad list
- Goalkeepers: Mahmoud Abunada, Shehab Al Lithi, Meshaal Barsham, Salah Zakaria
- Defenders include Ryan Al Ali, Bassam Al Rawi, Hommam Al Amin, Boualem Khoukhi, Niall Mason, Lucas Mendes, Pedro Miguel and Tarek Salman
- Midfielders include Karim Boudiaf, Abdulaziz Hatem, Assim Madibo, Mohammed Manaai, Tahsin Mohammed and Mohammed Waad
- Forwards include Akram Afif, Almoez Ali, Hassan Al Haydos, Edmilson Junior, Mohammed Muntari, Mubarak Shannan and Sebastian Soria
The biggest thing to watch is role clarity. A World Cup squad is not only a list of famous players: it is a minutes plan. Starters, penalty takers, set-piece takers, late substitutes, reserve goalkeepers and defensive cover all affect how far a team can go.
Group-stage fixtures
- 13 June: Qatar v Switzerland - San Francisco Bay Area Stadium
- 18 June: Canada v Qatar - BC Place Vancouver
- 24 June: Bosnia and Herzegovina v Qatar - Seattle Stadium
Qatar need enough points across those three matches to finish in the top two or compete strongly in the third-place race. The 48-team format gives more teams a route into the knockouts, but it also makes goal difference and late substitutions more important.
Fantasy, betting and player-watch angle
For fantasy football, the best picks are not always the most famous names. Minutes, penalty duty, clean-sheet probability, set pieces and group strength should decide the shortlist. For betting research, check licensed markets in your country and compare team progress odds with player markets before backing top scorer or award prices.
What can still change
- Injury replacements can alter the final list before the first match.
- A preliminary or expanded squad has to be cut to the permitted final size.
- Club form and late fitness tests can change the starting XI even when the squad list is known.
- Tournament roles can change after the first match if a team needs more control, pace or height.
