Qatar World Cup 2026 Hub: Fixtures, Predicted Line-Ups, Odds

Asian champions back under Julen Lopetegui. Squad, fixtures, predicted XI, Oddschecker markets, tactics and form.

Qatar return to the World Cup for a second straight tournament, this time qualifying on merit through the AFC rather than as hosts. Coached by former Real Madrid manager Julen Lopetegui and led by creator Akram Afif and record scorer Almoez Ali, the back to back Asian champions are Group B outsiders looking to improve on a dismal 2022 debut.

 

 

Who are Qatar and who is in the squad?

Julen Lopetegui, appointed in May 2025, secured Qatar’s first merit-based World Cup qualification through the AFC fourth round. Captain Hassan Al-Haydos is the most experienced player in the group, while Akram Afif is the chief creator, having registered more assists than any other player in AFC qualifying.

Striker Almoez Ali is Qatar’s all-time top scorer and was the leading marksman in Asian qualifying. The squad is drawn almost entirely from the Qatar Stars League, with a large contingent from Al-Sadd and Al-Duhail.

Key members of Lopetegui’s 26-man squad

Goalkeepers

• Meshaal Barsham, Mahmoud Abunada, Salah Zakaria

Defence

• Boualem Khoukhi, Pedro Miguel, Homam Ahmed, Tarek Salman

Midfield

• Abdulaziz Hatem, Assim Madibo, Karim Boudiaf, Jassem Gaber

Forwards and attack

• Akram Afif, Almoez Ali, Hassan Al-Haydos (captain), Edmilson Junior, Mohammed Muntari

These are the confirmed key names, drawn from a domestic core. Confirm the complete 26-man squad against the Qatar FA list before publishing.

What is Qatar’s group and fixture schedule?

Qatar are in Group B with co-hosts Canada, Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The top two, plus the eight best third placed teams, reach the Round of 32.

They open against group favourites Switzerland on 13 June, face Canada in Vancouver on 18 June, and finish against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Seattle. Anything beyond the group stage would represent strong progress on their 2022 debut.

Date (UK)	Fixture	Venue
Fri 12 June, 8pm	Canada v Bosnia and Herzegovina	BMO Field, Toronto
Sat 13 June, 8pm	Qatar v Switzerland	Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara
Thu 18 June, 8pm	Switzerland v Bosnia and Herzegovina	SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
Thu 18 June, 11pm	Canada v Qatar	BC Place, Vancouver
Wed 24 June, 8pm	Switzerland v Canada	BC Place, Vancouver
Wed 24 June, 8pm	Bosnia and Herzegovina v Qatar	Lumen Field, Seattle

 

What is Qatar’s predicted line up?

Lopetegui builds the side around Akram Afif’s creativity and Almoez Ali’s finishing, with captain Hassan Al-Haydos providing experience. A confirmed predicted XI is not yet settled, so the shape below is indicative.

Predicted XI (4-3-3):

Built around Akram Afif in support of Almoez Ali, with Hassan Al-Haydos and the experienced core in midfield

This is indicative rather than a confirmed team sheet. Qatar’s chances hinge heavily on getting Afif on the ball in dangerous areas. Confirm the predicted XI closer to kick off.

 

Qatar One to Watch – Akram Afif

Left-winger Akram Afif remains Qatar’s biggest attacking threat as they prepare for their second World Cup appearance. The Al-Sadd star helped lead his club to Qatar Stars Cup success last season and will be central to his country’s hopes of making an impact at the tournament.

After developing in the youth systems of Sevilla and Villarreal, Afif returned home and has become one of the region’s standout performers, excelling for both Al-Sadd and the national team. With 41 goals in 133 appearances for Qatar, he has consistently delivered on the international stage.

Former coach Xavi Hernández once described him as an exceptional talent, and the 2019 Asian Footballer of the Year will be eager to prove his quality on football’s biggest stage.

 

Qatar Tournament Odds

The headline Oddschecker markets for Qatar are below. Match by match anytime goalscorer and clean sheet prices are listed on the individual Oddschecker fixture pages and move right up to kick off, so pull the live prices from there at upload.

Oddschecker market	Selection	Price
To win Group B	Qatar	33/1
To finish bottom of Group B	Qatar	4/9
To win the tournament	Qatar	1000/1
Top team goalscorer	Akram Afif	6/1
Exact Group B points	0 points	7/4

 

Akram Afif is Qatar’s chief creator and the favourite in their top team goalscorer market, although Almoez Ali is the recognised striker and all-time top scorer. For individual matches, anytime goalscorer prices and Qatar’s clean sheet prices are on the Oddschecker fixture pages.

Qatar are rated likely to finish bottom of the group, so their clean sheet prices will be among the longest in Group B. Confirm the live match by match prices on Oddschecker before publishing.

18+ only. Odds sourced from Oddschecker and correct at the time of writing (9 June 2026); prices move constantly, so confirm the live price on Oddschecker before publishing or betting. Please gamble responsibly. BeGambleAware.org.

How will Qatar play? Style and tactics

Qatar are built around Afif’s creativity, looking to feed Almoez Ali in the box. The concern, as Oddschecker notes, is an over-reliance on Afif, with the attack becoming predictable if opponents manage to isolate him.

Defensively there are real questions, with a heavy goals-conceded record late in qualifying, and a squad that rarely travels now operating out of its comfort zone in North America. Game management against stronger sides will be a stiff test.

What is Qatar’s recent form?

Qatar qualified through the AFC, including an 8-1 thrashing of Afghanistan in which Almoez Ali scored four, before a tougher third round and a home fourth-round mini-tournament that they sealed with a 2-1 win over the United Arab Emirates in October 2025.

Form against varied opposition has been mixed, with friendly defeats to the likes of Palestine, Tunisia and Zimbabwe over the past year, and a heavy goals-conceded tally across their last ten qualifiers. They are back having lost all three matches and scored once as 2022 hosts.

Qatar World Cup 2026: frequently asked questions

Who is the Qatar captain?

Hassan Al-Haydos, the Al-Sadd forward, the most experienced player in Group B.

Who is the Qatar manager?

Julen Lopetegui, the former Real Madrid, Wolves and West Ham coach, appointed in May 2025.

When is Qatar’s first match?

Saturday 13 June 2026 against Switzerland at Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, 8pm UK time.

Who is Qatar’s main goal threat?

Almoez Ali, the country’s all-time top scorer and the leading marksman in Asian qualifying, supplied by creator Akram Afif.

What is Qatar’s World Cup history?

This is their second appearance. As hosts in 2022 they lost all three games, and they have now qualified on merit for the first time.

 

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