Qatar
Out to prove 2022 was no fluke
A punchline in 2022, now Asian champions — and they ripped a stoppage-time equalizer off Switzerland.
Watchability3/5
Drama4/5
Star power3/5
Title shot1/5
Team rating
74TEAM
- Attack74
- Midfield73
- Defense74
Next matches
- Next upvs Bosnia and HerzegovinaLumen Field, SeattleJun 24
The read
Qatar's last World Cup was as hosts in 2022, where they were essentially handed a place and lost all three games — a humiliation. This time they qualified on merit as back-to-back Asian champions, and they announced themselves by ripping a stoppage-time equalizer off seeded Switzerland for a 1-1 draw. The story is redemption: a team that was once a punchline now proving they belong, led by the showman Akram Afif.
The fan’s readThe 2022 punchline reborn as Asian champions, ripping a stoppage-time equalizer off seeded Switzerland — a genuine redemption arc led by the showman Afif.
The cast
- Julen LopeteguiSpanish coach famously sacked by Spain on the eve of the 2018 World Cup; this is his first World Cup as a managermanager
- Akram Afif ★Two-time Asian Player of the Year and Qatar's showman — the trickster whose redemption-tour side just ripped a stoppage-time equalizer off seeded Switzerland.ClubAl-Sadd
- Almoez AliQatar's all-time leading scorer with 60+ goals and a continental Golden Boot.ClubAl-Duhail
- Boualem KhoukhiA veteran who has played every World Cup minute Qatar have ever had.ClubAl-Sadd
- Meshaal BarshamThe keeper who has to be Qatar's hero for any upset — and nearly was vs Switzerland.ClubAl-Sadd
Key moments
- 20222022 host humiliationAs hosts in 2022, Qatar became the first host nation in World Cup history to lose all three group games, outscored 7-1 — and the earliest host exit ever.
- 2023Asian championsQatar won the AFC Asian Cup in both 2019 and 2023, back-to-back continental titles; star Akram Afif scored a hat-trick of penalties in the 2023 final and was twice named Asia's best player.