Qatar 2026 World Cup Preview - Can the Asian Champions Escape the Group Stage?
Despite recent Asian Cup triumphs, Qatar faces a tough road at the 2026 World Cup under Julen Lopetegui. After finishing bottom of their group, with zero wins, as hosts in 2022, hopes remain low according to betting markets. Qatar’s squad relies heavily on domestic league players, with veterans Boualem Khoukhi and Pedro Miguel anchoring the defense and Akram Afif and Almoez Ali leading the attack. The odds heavily favor another group-stage exit, with little expectation of a deep run.
- Qatar face a tough task at the 2026 World Cup
- The Asian champions lost all three matches on home soil in 2022
- Bookmakers are predicting another group stage exit
Qatar finds have evolved into a dominant force in Asia, winning back-to-back AFC Asian Cup titles in 2019 and 2024.
Julen Lopetegui's side will be hoping to transfer that success onto the world stage after disappointing on home soil at the 2022 World Cup.
World Cup History
Qatar never looked like winning a game in 2022, becoming the first host nation to lose all three group matches.
They suffered defeats against Ecuador, Senegal and the Netherlands, scoring one goal with seven conceded.
| Year | Host | Stage Reached |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Qatar | Group Stage |
The Road to 2026 - Unconvincing Qualification Campaign
Qatar cruised into round three of the AFC qualifiers where they finished fourth in Group A behind Iran, Uzbekistan and United Arab Emirates.
It was enough to reach the fourth round which was played on home soil. The Maroons secured their ticket to the World Cup after a 0-0 draw against Oman and 2-1 victory over the UAE.
Five matches have been played since which includes defeats against Zimbabwe, Palestine and Tunisia.
The Manager - Julen Lopetegui
Since his appointment in May 2025, the former Spain and Real Madrid boss has attempted to bring a European level of tactics to the squad.
Lopetegui led Spain on a 20-match unbeaten run before he was sensationally sacked two days before the 2018 World Cup. He had a short stint at Real Madrid and won the Europa League with Sevilla before failing to last a year at Wolves and West Ham.
Since taking over, he has won two of his 11 matches in charge. The team suffered a disappointing group stage exit in the 2025 Arab Cup despite playing at home, unable to beat Palestine, Syria and Tunisia.
Qatar Squad - Strength in Attack
The World Cup squad features a large percentage of players competing in the Qatar Stars League. The only exception is Homam Ahmed who plays for Cultural Leonesa.
| Pos | Player | Age | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Mahmud Abunada | 26 | Al-Rayyan |
| GK | Salah Zakaria | 27 | Al-Duhail |
| GK | Meshaal Barsham | 28 | Al-Sadd |
| DF | Pedro Miguel | 35 | Al-Sadd |
| DF | Lucas Mendes | 35 | Al-Wakrah |
| DF | Issa Laye | 28 | Al-Arabi |
| DF | Ayoub Al-Oui | 21 | Al-Gharafa |
| DF | Homam Ahmed | 26 | Cultural Leonesa |
| DF | Boualem Khoukhi | 35 | Al-Sadd |
| DF | Sultan Al-Brake | 30 | Al-Duhail |
| DF | Al-Hashmi Al-Hussain | 22 | Al-Arabi |
| MF | Jassem Gaber | 24 | Al-Rayyan |
| MF | Abdulaziz Hatem | 35 | Al-Rayyan |
| MF | Karim Boudiaf | 35 | Al-Duhail |
| MF | Ahmed Fathy | 33 | Al-Arabi |
| MF | Assim Madibo | 29 | Al-Wakrah |
| MF | Mohamed Manai | 23 | Al-Shamal |
| FW | Ahmed Alaaeldin | 33 | Al-Rayyan |
| FW | Edmilson Junior | 31 | Al-Duhail |
| FW | Mohammed Muntari | 32 | Al-Gharafa |
| FW | Hassan Al-Haydos | 35 | Al-Sadd |
| FW | Akram Afif | 29 | Al-Sadd |
| FW | Yusuf Abdurisag | 26 | Al-Wakrah |
| FW | Ahmed Al-Ganehi | 25 | Al-Gharafa |
| FW | Almoez Ali | 29 | Al-Duhail |
| FW | Tahsin Jamshid | 19 | Al-Duhail |
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Mahmoud Abunada; Ayoub Al-Oui, Boualem Khoukhi, Pedro Miguel, Sultan Al-Brake; Assim Madibo, Karim Boudiaf, Mohamed Manai; Edmilson Junior, Almoez Ali, Akram Afif
Players to Watch
Boualem Khoukhi and Pedro Miguel: The 35-year-old centre-backs have more than 200 caps between them.
Karim Boudiaf: The French born midfielder has earned over 100 caps and is a key player in the middle of the pitch.
Akram Afif: The heartbeat of the team with 39 international goals, Afif has been named Asian Footballer of the Year on two occasions.
Almoez Ali: The reliable finisher with 55 goals in 115 appearances for the national side. The 29-year-old is Qatar's all-time top goalscorer and scored a record nine goals at the 2019 Asian Cup.
Group B Schedule
Qatar will begin their campaign against Switzerland in San Francisco. They then take on co-hosts Canada in Vancouver before facing Bosnia and Herzegovina in Seattle.
| Date | Opponent | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| June 13 | Switzerland | Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara |
| June 18 | Canada | BC Place, Vancouver |
| June 24 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Lumen Field, Seattle |
A second placed finish would set up a clash against the runners-up in Group A. If Qatar get through as one of the third placed qualifiers, they will meet the winner of Group D or Group E.
2026 World Cup Winner Odds - Qatar no Chance
Qatar are currently listed at odds of 2000/1 next to Cape Verde.
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Spain | 5.50 |
| France | 6.00 |
| England | 7.00 |
| Brazil | 9.00 |
| Argentina | 9.00 |
| Portugal | 11.00 |
| Germany | 15.00 |
| Netherlands | 21.00 |
| Norway | 26.00 |
| Belgium | 34.00 |
| Colombia | 34.00 |
| Japan | 51.00 |
| Morocco | 51.00 |
| USA | 67.00 |
| Uruguay | 67.00 |
| Switzerland | 81.00 |
| Mexico | 81.00 |
| Turkey | 81.00 |
| Croatia | 81.00 |
| Ecuador | 101.00 |
| Senegal | 126.00 |
| Sweden | 126.00 |
| Austria | 151.00 |
| Paraguay | 151.00 |
| Canada | 151.00 |
| Scotland | 251.00 |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 251.00 |
| Ivory Coast | 301.00 |
| Egypt | 301.00 |
| Czech Republic | 301.00 |
| Ghana | 401.00 |
| Algeria | 401.00 |
| South Korea | 501.00 |
| Australia | 501.00 |
| Tunisia | 501.00 |
| Iran | 501.00 |
| DR Congo | 751.00 |
| Saudi Arabia | 1001.00 |
| South Africa | 1001.00 |
| New Zealand | 1501.00 |
| Panama | 1501.00 |
| Iraq | 1501.00 |
| Uzbekistan | 1501.00 |
| Qatar | 2001.00 |
| Cape Verde | 2001.00 |
| Jordan | 2501.00 |
| Haiti | 3001.00 |
| Curacao | 3501.00 |
Source: Stake.com and correct on 2 June 2026
Qatar Stage of Elimination Betting Odds
Qatar are not expected to get out of the group stage after losing all three matches in 2022.
| Stage | Odds |
|---|---|
| Group Stage |
1.36 |
| Round of 32 |
4.00 |
| Round of 16 |
11.00 |
| Quarter-finals |
34.00 |
| Semi-finals | 126.00 |
| Runner-Up |
601.00 |
| Winner |
2001.00 |
Options Up Front
Almoez Ali is the favourite with Akram Afif and Ahmed Alaaeldin further behind. Qatar scored once in 2022, Mohammed Muntari finding the net against Senegal.
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Almoez Ali |
4.50 |
| Akram Afif |
6.50 |
| Ahmed Alaaeldin |
7.00 |
| Mohammed Muntari |
7.50 |
| Ahmed Al Rawi |
8.50 |
| Hasan Al-Haydos |
11.00 |
| Youssef Abdurisag |
13.00 |
| Abdulaziz Hatem |
13.00 |
| Mostafa Meshaal |
13.00 |
| Karim Boudiaf |
13.00 |
| Homam Ahmed |
34.00 |
Source: Stake.com and correct on 2 June 2026
Verdict
Qatar have some prolific forwards, but they couldn't help on home soil four years ago. I am expecting Julen Lopetegui's side to be outclassed once again and finish bottom of Group B.
Qatar
Group B To Finish Bottom
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