Qatar
World Cup 2026 Group B — fixtures, standings, and knockout path
The 2022 hangover and Almoez Ali's redemption arc
Qatar's 2022 campaign ended with three losses, conceding seven goals without reply. Almoez Ali, top scorer at the 2019 Asian Cup, went invisible. His 2026 form for Al-Duhail and the national team will dictate whether Qatar can exploit Group H's weaker defenses. Manager Tintín Márquez has phased out 2022 veterans like Hassan Al-Haydos, relying instead on Asian Cup standouts like Akram Afif and Almoez. The squad trains in Doha's Aspire Academy, replicating North American summer humidity.
Group H's counterattack gauntlet
Drawn against Portugal, Colombia, and an AFC playoff winner, Qatar must target the latter. Their 5-3-2 relies on Afif's left-flank bursts and Boualem Khoukhi's defensive discipline. Historical context stings: they've never beaten a UEFA or CONMEBOL side at the World Cup. The June 19 clash in Vancouver against the AFC playoff team is their only realistic must-win. Expect 70% possession in that game versus 30% against Portugal in Philadelphia.
From 2022 hosts to AFC outsiders
Qatar's 2026 qualification came via the Asian Cup, not AFC qualifiers — a first in World Cup history. Their core plays in Qatar Stars League except for Afif (Real Betis loan). The federation controversially replaced Carlos Queiroz with Márquez after 2023, prioritizing attacking flair over Queiroz's defensive pragmatism. Watch for 19-year-old Jassem Gaber, a rare European-based prospect at Austria's LASK.
Knockout route: top two qualify automatically; a third-place finish may still advance as one of the eight best third-placed teams. View Group B hub →
Group standings
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Bosnia and Herzegovina | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 |  Canada | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Qatar | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 |  Switzerland | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Fixtures & results
| Match | Date | Group | Score | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qatar vs SwitzerlandEstadio San Francisco Bay Area | Sat, Jun 13, 2026 · 20:00 ET | b | – | Scheduled |
| Canada vs QatarBC Place | Thu, Jun 18, 2026 · 23:00 ET | b | – | Scheduled |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina vs QatarEstadio Seattle | Wed, Jun 24, 2026 · 20:00 ET | b | – | Scheduled |
Frequently asked questions
Has Qatar ever won a World Cup match?+
No. Their 2022 campaign (0-3-0) marked their debut as hosts. They lost to Ecuador, Senegal, and the Netherlands.
Which cities will Qatar play in during 2026?+
Vancouver (BC Place), Philadelphia (Lincoln Financial Field), and Boston (Gillette Stadium) host their Group H matches.
Who is Qatar's most capped active player?+
Defender Abdelkarim Hassan (143 caps) anchors the backline. Captain Hassan Al-Haydos retired internationally after 2022.
How did Qatar qualify for 2026?+
As 2023 Asian Cup champions, bypassing AFC qualifiers. They defeated Jordan 3-1 in the final with Afif's hat-trick.
What's Qatar's best World Cup result?+
2022 remains their only appearance — eliminated in the group stage with zero points and a -7 goal difference.