Alkass English
The Qatar Football Association announced today the preliminary squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19.
The 34-man squad selected by Spanish head coach Julen Lopetegui includes a mix of key experienced players and promising young talents. The players are: Meshaal Barsham, Mahmoud Abunada, Salah Zakaria, Shehab Al Laithi, Ahmed Al Janahi, Ahmed Alaa, Ahmed Fathi, Tarek Salman, Akram Afif, Edmilson Junior, Ayoub Al Alawi, Sultan Al Brake, Al Hashmi Al Hussein, Boualem Khoukhi, Pedro Miguel, Bassam Al Rawi, Jassem Jaber, Hassan Al Haydos, Almoez Ali, Nail Mason, Sebastian Soria, Ryan Al Ali, Assim Madibo, Abdulaziz Hatem, Issa Laï, Mohammed Manei, Karim Boudiaf, Lucas Mendes, Tahseen Mohammed, Mubarak Shanan, Homam Al Amin, Yousof Abdurisag, Mohammed Muntari, and Mohammed Waad.
The Qatari national team will hold a training camp during May, which will include two friendly matches. The first will be against Republic of Ireland national football team on May 28, and the second against El Salvador national football team in Los Angeles on June 6, as part of preparations to reach peak readiness ahead of the tournament.
Qatar will begin its World Cup campaign against Switzerland national football team in San Francisco on June 13. They will then face Canada in their second match on June 18 in Vancouver, before concluding the group stage against Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team on June 24 in Seattle.