Qatar starting lineup vs Canada confirmed for FIFA World Cup 2026 match

Both teams are seeking their first win of the ongoing World Cup in tonight’s match.

Qatar will take on co-hosts Canada in their second Group B match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 at BC Place in Vancouver on June 18. The Asian side made history in their last outing against Switzerland, scoring a late goal to earn a 1-1 draw and secure their first-ever point in the tournament.

Despite being second best against the Swiss all night, Al-Annabi did not give up and continued to push for the equaliser, which they got in dramatic fashion deep into stoppage time.

However, Julen Lopetegui’s men have not enjoyed victory in their last seven games and will once again be heavy underdogs against Canada. The Canucks were held to a surprise 1-1 draw by Bosnia and Herzegovina and will also push hard for their first win of the tournament.

Also Read: Canada vs Qatar: Five key battles to watch out for in FIFA World Cup 2026

Let’s look at the Qatar confirmed lineup for the FIFA World Cup 2026 match against Canada:

Qatar (4-3-3): Mahmud Abunada; Ayoub Al-Oui, Pedro Miguel, Boualem Khoukhi (c), Homam Elamin; Jassem Gaber, Assim Madibo, Issa Laye; Edmilson Junior, Yusuf Abdurisag, Akram Afif.

Substitutes: Meshaal Barsham (gk), Salah Zakaria (gk), Al-Hashmi Al-Hussain, Lucas Mendes, Sultan Al-Brake, Abdulaziz Hatem, Ahmed Fathy, Karim Boudiaf, Mohammad Al Manai, Ahmed Al-Ganehi, Ahemd Alaaeldin, Almoez Ali, Hassan Al-Haydos, Mohammed Muntari, Tahsin Jamshid.

Thoughts on the lineup

With no injuries to contend with, Lopetegui stuck the players who started against Switzerland. Goalkeeper Mahmud Abunada, who starred for his side with nine saves in the last match, starts between the sticks tonight.

He will be shielded by the centre-back pairing of Boualem Khoukhi, whose header led to the equaliser against the Swiss, and Pedro ‘Ro-Ro’ Miguel. The latter, a former Cape Verde U-21 international, won his 100th cap for his adopted nation in the last match. Ayoub Al-Oui and Homam Elamin start at the full-back positions.

Assim Madibo anchors the midfield and is accompanied by Jassem Gaber and Issa Laye. Yusuf Abdurisag starts as the striker, joined by Edmilson Junior and Akram Afif. The latter, who is his nation’s second-highest goalscorer, is still searching for his first World Cup goal.

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