As the 2026 World Cup, hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico, approaches, participating national teams are intensifying their preparations. Ahead of the major football festival, coaching staffs are working on squad selection, evaluating player fitness, and identifying key candidates for the final roster.
In this process, the Qatar national team, led by Julen Lopetegui, has announced its preliminary squad for the World Cup. The initial list presented by the Spanish coach includes 34 players. This squad is expected to be trimmed down later to form the final roster for the World Cup.
The Qatar national team has been striving to strengthen its position on the international stage in recent years. Having hosted the 2022 World Cup, the team now aims to head to the new tournament with more experience, a defined playing style, and the benefit of having felt the atmosphere of a major competition.
The list announced by Lopetegui includes the team's leading players alongside other candidates capable of increasing competition. Among the goalkeepers, players such as Mahmoud Abunada, Meshal Barsham, Salah Zakaria, and Shehab Ellethy have been named. The competition in this position makes the final selection quite interesting for the coaching staff.
There are also many experienced names in the defense and midfield. Players like Abdulaziz Hatem, Ahmed Al-Ganehi, Ahmed Alaaeldin, Ahmed Fathi, Akram Afif, Alhashmi Al-Hussain, Assim Madibo, Ayoub Assal, Boualem Khoukhi, Bassam Al-Rawi, Edmilson Junior, Hassan Al-Haydos, Homam Ahmed, Issa Laye, Jassim Gaber, Karim Boudiaf, and Lucas Mendes could be the team's main pillars.
In the attacking line, Almoez Ali, Mohammed Muntari, Sebastian Soria, Yusuf Abdurisag, and other names draw attention. In particular, Almoez Ali is mentioned with high hopes ahead of the World Cup as one of Qatar's most recognized strikers. His goal-scoring instinct and experience in important matches will certainly be needed by Lopetegui's team.
Qatar's preliminary squad is as follows:
Mahmoud Abunada, Meshal Barsham, Salah Zakaria, Shehab Ellethy, Abdulaziz Hatem, Ahmed Al-Ganehi, Ahmed Alaaeldin, Ahmed Fathi, Akram Afif, Alhashmi Al-Hussain, Almoez Ali, Assim Madibo, Ayoub Assal, Boualem Khoukhi, Bassam Al-Rawi, Edmilson Junior, Hassan Al-Haydos, Homam Ahmed, Issa Laye, Jassim Gaber, Karim Boudiaf, Lucas Mendes, Mohammed Mannai, Mohammed Muntari, Mohammed Waad, Mubarak Shanan, Niall Mason, Pedro Miguel, Rayyan Al-Ali, Sebastian Soria, Sultan Al-Brake, Tahsin Mohammed, Tarek Salman, Yusuf Abdurisag.
It will not be easy for Julen Lopetegui to choose the optimal option from this squad. Because in the World Cup, reliable, physically fit, and mentally stable players are needed in every position. In a major competition, even small mistakes can be costly.
For the Qatar national team, the 2026 World Cup will be the next big test. The team aims to show competitive football in the group stage, further increase its reputation on the international stage, and deliver a worthy result for its fans.
In short, Qatar has shown that it is preparing seriously for the World Cup. The preliminary squad has been announced, and now the main intrigue lies in who will remain on the final list. Lopetegui faces a big choice — but at the World Cup, it is not the choice, but the result that speaks.
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