Qatar name preliminary squad for FIFA World Cup 2026 ft. Sebastian Soria
Qatar were the host nation in the last World Cup.
The initial roster of the Qatar national team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, was revealed by Spanish coach Julen Lopetegui, manager of the Qatari national team.
There are 34 players on the Qatari national squad, including 42-year-old veteran attacker Sebastian Soria, Asian Player of the Year winner Akram Afif, and the team’s star and seasoned captain, Hassan Al-Haydos.
After staging the 2022 World Cup, the Qatari national team is preparing for its second World Cup appearance. They will compete in Group B, which also includes Canada, Switzerland, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, in 2026.
Also read: Bosnia & Herzegovina announce final squad for FIFA World Cup 2026 ft. Edin Džeko
The Middle Eastern team couldn’t move past the group stage last time. They will aim for bigger ambitions this time around, with the Spanish manager set to oversee the games.
However, Lopetegui will have to cut down the squad when he makes the announcement of the final roster that will compete in the competition next month. Meanwhile, the preliminary squad includes plenty of fresh faces. But for the final team, many names will lose their place on the roster.
Qatar names preliminary squad for FIFA World Cup 2026
Goalkeepers: Mahmoud Abunada, Meshaal Barsham, Salah Zakaria, Shehab Ellethey
Defenders: Ahmed Alaa, Ahmed Fathy, Alhashmi Alhussain, Assim Madibo, Ayoub Al-Alawi, Boualem Khoukhi, Bassam Al-Rawi, Homam Ahmed, Issa Laye, Jassem Gaber Abdulsallam, Karim Boudiaf, Lucas Mendes, Niall Masson, Pedro Miguel, Rayyan Al Ali, Sultan Al-Brake, Tarek Salman
Midfielders: Abdulaziz Hatem, Mohamed Manai, Mohammed Waad, Youssef Abdulrazzaq
Forwards: Al Moez Ali, Ahmed Al Janehi, Akram Afif, Edmilson Junior, Hassan Al-Haydos, Mubarak Shanan, Sebastián Soria, Tahsin Jamshid,
Which group are Qatar in?
They are in group B.
When is their first game?
Their first game is on 14th June at 12:30 am IST.
Who are they facing in their first game?
Switzerland.
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After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.