Qatar players were in high spirits during a training session in San Jose, California. (Reuters)
Qatar will be aiming to add a winning chapter to their FIFA World Cup history when they kick off their campaign against Switzerland in Group B on Saturday at 10pm.
The two-time Asian champions endured a difficult debut in 2022, becoming the first host nation to lose their opening match and exiting the tournament without a point.
Four years on, Qatar return determined to make a stronger impression with head coach Julen Lopetegui having reshuffled their defensive structure.
A 0-1 defeat to Ireland was followed with a goalless draw against El Salvador, wrapping up their FIFA World Cup preparations with the Spanish coach stressing there was still work to be done.
Qatar players participate in a drill during a training session.
They might have hoped for a more gentle introduction, with the resurgent Swiss unbeaten in competitive matches since late 2024 following an impressive Euros run, and keen to make a mark in their sixth successive World Cup.
“We have to accept the fact that we will play against Switzerland first, and we have to be ready to do our best against a very strong team,” Qatar’s Spanish coach Julen Lopetegui said. “We know our real reality, and that the competitors are better than us, but this does not mean surrendering … it requires us to be ready in order to achieve our ambition and dream of being a strong contender.”
With a squad of players mainly from their domestic league, Qatar have a cohesive unit that has been formidable in Asia but could struggle to fend off higher-level opposition in a Group B that also includes Bosnia and co-hosts Canada.
Among the players retained from the 2022 squad, Akram Afif remains at the forefront of Qatar’s attacking threat, with the two-time Asian Player of the Year eager to prove his quality on the global stage.
On paper, Qatar are not an overwhelming attacking force in open play but a deep defensive block, a set-piece threat and Afif’s ability to punish teams on the counter could prove a potent formula against higher-ranked opposition.
Qatar’s head coach Julen Lopetegui.
But Switzerland are in confident mood, as they should be, having been unbeaten in qualifying while conceding just two goals. Switzerland’s consistency, notably reaching the round of 16 at both the FIFA World Cup 2022 and UEFA Euro 2024, gives them a more stable platform heading into the opener.
They have stuck largely with the same group from the last World Cup and will include emerging talent like Dan Ndoye and versatile newcomer Johan Manzambi in attack, supported by the dependable Granit Xhaka, Manuel Akanji and Ricardo Rodriguez, who have 365 caps combined.
Switzerland’s record in reaching World Cups is matched only in Europe by Germany, France, Spain, England and Portugal, yet a quarter-final has eluded them for seven decades with a string of round-of-16 exits.
Switzerland should advance from the group with ease, though coach Murat Yakin is taking Qatar seriously, considering them “the big unknown” while keen to avoid an opening-match upset like the one eventualchampions Argentina endured in 2022.
“Qatar is a very serious opponent. We can’t let what Argentina experienced against Saudi Arabia four years ago happen to us,” he said. “In the end, tournaments like this also thrive on their surprises.”
Qatar’s star Akram Afif (right) trains teammates.
Key Facts
This will be Qatar’s second appearance at the FIFA World Cup, but it’s the first time they have qualified for the tournament — their previous participation in 2022 came as hosts.
Qatar finished bottom of their group at the 2022 FIFA World Cup – losing all three of their matches, conceding seven goals and scoring only one.
Among sides that played at least 10 games in the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 26, Qatar’s games produced more goals per game than any other side (3.61). Of the AFC sides to reach the FIFA World Cup, Qatar lost more games than any other nation (5).
Almoez Ali scored more goals than any other player in AFC Asian Qualifiers (12), while Afif led the way for assists (11, 6 of which came from set-pieces). Overall, only Iran’s Mehdi Taremi (17) had more goal involvements than Afif (15 – 4 goals, 11 assists).
Lopetegui will become the second Spanish coach to lead Qatar at a FIFA World Cup after Felix Sanchez in 2022. In fact, the last six Qatar coaches have been from the Iberian peninsula (4 from Spain, 2 from Portugal).
Qatar v Switzerland
Venue: San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (Santa Clara, California)
Kick-off: Saturday, 13 June, 10pm
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