Tribune News Network
Doha
Head coach Marquez Lopez announced the 25-man Qatar squad that will face Kuwait twice this month in the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 joint qualifiers.
It’s Lopez’s first squad after being confirmed as coach until 2026. The Spaniard had led Qatar to second successive Asian Cup title at home last month.
Al Shamal defender Mahdi Al Muajba and Al Ahli defender Mohammed Ayyash are the new faces in the squad, while Khoukhi Boualem has been left out.
The squad will also miss the services of Hassan Al Haydos, who retired on Saturday after appearing in a record 182 matches for Qatar.
The first match against Kuwait is on March 21 at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, with Qatar travelling to Kuwait for reverse fixture, which is scheduled to be held on March 26.
Qatar have taken an early grip on Group A with wins over India (3-0) and Afghanistan (8-1). Kuwait and India are tied on three points while Afghanistan lost both their matches and need to get on the winning trail if they are to remain in the race.
Having successfully defended their AFC Asian Cup title, Qatar will be confident of navigating through their remaining matches.
The nine group winners and the respective runners-up will advance to the third round of FIFA World Cup qualifers, and at the same time seal their places at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027. The other 18 teams from Round 2 will proceed directly to the third and final round of AFC Asian Cup qualifying.
The Squad
Goalkeepers: Messhal Barsham (Al Sadd), Salah Zakaria (Al Duhail), Saud Al Khater (Al Wakrah)
Defenders: Al Mahdi Ali and Lucas Mendez (Al Wakrah), Tariq Salman (Al Sadd), Hommam Al Amin (Al Gharafa), Bassam Al Rawi (Al-Rayyan), Sultan Al Breik (Al Duhail), and Mohammed Ayyash (Al Ahli).
Midfielders: Ahmed Fathi, Jassim Jaber, Abdullah Al Maarafi (Al Arabi), Abdulaziz Hatem (Al Rayyan), Mohammad Waad and Mustafa Meshaal (Al Sadd), Mahdi Al Muajba (Al-Shamal), Abdullah Abdulsalam Al Ahraq (Qatar SC).
Forwards: Ahmed Al Janhi and Ahmed Alaa (Al Gharafa), Akram Afif and Youssef Abdul Razzaq (Al Sadd), Almoez Ali (Al Duhail), Ahmed Al Rawi (Al Rayyan), and Ismail Mohamed (Al Duhail).
