World Cup 2026: Qatar unveils a 34-player preliminary squad
Qualified for its second consecutive World Cup, the Qatar national team unveiled an expanded preliminary squad of 34 players for the 2026 tournament. Led by Julen Lopetegui, the two-time Asian champions rely on a group blending veteran core, naturalized players, and proven attacking talents.
SUMMARY
After making their World Cup debut at home in 2022, Qatar is about to embark on another global journey with higher ambitions. Placed in Group B alongside Canada, Switzerland, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Qatari team hopes this time to advance past the first round. To meet this challenge, Julen Lopetegui has decided to rely on the backbone that helped the country win two consecutive Asian Cup titles. In attack, all eyes will be on Akram Afif, Almoez Ali, and Mohammed Muntari, the team’s main attacking assets.
The Spanish coach has also called up several naturalized players to bring more experience and depth to his squad. Edmilson Junior, Niall Mason, and Issa Laye are among those named in this expanded list. Another notable inclusion is veteran Sebastián Soria, a symbol of several generations of Qatari football. Former Olympique de Marseille defender Lucas Mendes is also among the selected players.
The Qatar 34-man squad
Goalkeepers: Meshaal Barsham (Al Sadd), Shehab Ellethy (Al-Shahania), Salah Zakaria (Al-Duhail) and Mahmoud Abunada (Al-Rayyan)
Defenders: Terek Salman (Al-Sadd), Abdulla Al-Ali (Qatar SC), Youssef Ayman (Al-Duhail), Boualem Khoukhi (Al-Sadd), Lucas Mendes (Al-Wakrah), Al-Hashmi Al-Hussain (Al-Arabi), Issa Laye (Al-Arabi), Niall Mason (Qatar SC), Mohammed Waad (Al-Shamal), Pedro Miguel (Al-Sadd), Homam Al-Amin (Cultural Leonesa), Bassam Al-Rawi (Al-Duhail), Sultan Al-Brake (Al-Duhail) and Ayoub Al Alawi (Al-Gharafa)
Midfielders: Jassem Gaber (Al-Rayyan), Mohamed Al-Mannai (Al-Shamal), Assim Madibo (Al-Wakrah), Ahmed Fathi (Al-Arabi), Abdulaziz Hatim (Al-Rayyan) and Anas Abweny (Al-Sadd)
Forwards: Akram Afif (Al-Sadd), Edmilson Junior (Al-Duhail), Yusuf Abdurisag (Al-Wakrah), Sebastián Soria (Qatar SC), Mohamed Khaled Gouda (Al-Arabi), Khalid Ali Sabah (Al-Rayyan), Hasan Al-Haydos (Al-Sadd), Tahsin Mohammed (Al-Duhail), Ahmed Alaaeldin (Al-Rayyan), Mohammed Muntari (Al-Gharafa), Mubarak Shanan (Al-Duhail), Almoez Ali (Al-Duhail) and Ahmed Al-Ganehi (Al-Gharafa)
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