2
WC Appearances
including 2026
Group Stage
Best Result
all-time
None
Titles
yet to win
#55
FIFA Ranking
April 2026 (approx.)
About Qatar
Qatar return to the World Cup for the second time, having been eliminated in the group stage as hosts in 2022 - the first host nation to suffer that fate. The 2022 AFC Asian Cup champions, led by the brilliant Akram Afif and prolific striker Almoez Ali, have shown significant improvement since that difficult tournament. Group B at the 2026 FIFA World Cup pits them against Canada, Switzerland, and Bosnia and Herzegovina - a tough group, but Qatar's technical quality and continental tournament experience make them competitive. A point or two and a respectful performance would represent significant progress for Qatari football.
Team Base Camp
🇺🇸 USA
Base camp
Santa Barbara, California
Al-Annabi train at Westmont College in Santa Barbara. Coastal Mediterranean climate is dramatically cooler than Doha, which helps the squad arrive sharp for West Coast matchdays.
Per FIFA regulations (§18.3), Qatar stays at this base camp for the entire group stage and travels to each match venue one day before kickoff (and returns the same night or the next day).
Distance to each group-stage match
Straight-line distance from Santa Barbara to each match stadium. Actual travel adds airport time on flights.
Key Players
Meshaal Barsham
Lucas Mendes
Assim Madibo
Hassan Al-Haydos
Mubarak Shanan Hamza
Head Coach
Markus Babbel
2026 Group
Group B
Qatar at the 2026 World Cup
All times shown are local to the stadium
World Cup History
| Year | Stage Reached | |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Group Stage |
2 appearances total · Includes all World Cups as Qatar
Qatar World Cup 2026 FAQ
What group is Qatar in for the 2026 World Cup?+
Qatar is in Group B of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, alongside Canada, Switzerland, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Who is the manager of Qatar at the 2026 World Cup?+
Markus Babbel manages Qatar at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
What is Qatar's FIFA ranking?+
Qatar is ranked #55 in the FIFA World Rankings heading into the 2026 World Cup.
How many World Cups has Qatar played in?+
Qatar has appeared in 2 FIFA World Cups including 2026. Their best result is Group Stage.
When does Qatar play in the 2026 World Cup?+
Qatar's 2026 World Cup group stage matches: June 13 vs Switzerland; June 18 vs Canada; June 24 vs Bosnia and Herzegovina. Knockout matches are determined by group stage results.
Who are Qatar's key players for the 2026 World Cup?+
Key players to watch for Qatar include Meshaal Barsham, Lucas Mendes, Assim Madibo, Hassan Al-Haydos, Mubarak Shanan Hamza.
Where is Qatar's base camp for the 2026 World Cup?+
Qatar will be based in Santa Barbara, California (USA), training at Westmont College. Per FIFA regulations, the team stays at this base camp throughout the group stage and travels to match venues one day before each game.