Qatar

Qatar are drawn into Group B alongside co-hosts Canada, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Switzerland. After a difficult 2022 World Cup on home soil — where Qatar became the first host nation to lose all three group matches — the Maroons return with a point to prove.

The group is challenging. Switzerland are clear favorites, Canada have home advantage, and Bosnia-Herzegovina are physical and experienced. Qatar will need to show significant improvement over 2022 to avoid another early exit.

Why this group matters: Qatar's 2022 campaign was widely seen as proof that the host nation was out of its depth. A stronger showing in 2026 is essential for the credibility of Qatari football and the investment poured into the sport.

Opening against Switzerland is a tough draw. Canada at home on Matchday 2 will be hostile. The Bosnia-Herzegovina match on Matchday 3 is the most winnable fixture and could decide Qatar's fate.

Qatar have appeared in 1 FIFA World Cup:

• 2022 (as hosts): A tournament to forget. Qatar lost all three group matches — 2-0 to Ecuador, 3-1 to Senegal, and 2-0 to the Netherlands — becoming the first host nation in World Cup history to lose every game. They finished with zero points, one goal scored, and seven conceded.
• Asian Cup dominance: Despite the World Cup disappointment, Qatar are back-to-back Asian Cup champions (2019, 2023), beating Japan and Jordan in the respective finals. At continental level, Qatar are a genuine force.
• Aspire Academy: Qatar's long-term investment in the Aspire Academy has produced many current national team players, though the gap between Asian and world-class competition remains significant.

Julen Lopetegui, the experienced Portuguese coach who previously led Iran and South Africa at World Cups, manages Qatar. His defensive pragmatism is exactly what Qatar need after the 2022 debacle.

Queiroz sets up in a compact 5-4-1 or 4-5-1 that prioritizes defensive organization and quick counter-attacks through Afif and Almoez Ali. His philosophy is simple: make the team hard to beat first, then look for moments of quality on the break.

His experience managing underdogs at World Cups — Iran were disciplined and competitive in 2014 and 2018 — suggests Qatar will be far better organized than they were in 2022.

Qatari football culture is still developing compared to traditional football nations, but the 2022 World Cup hosting accelerated domestic interest significantly.

• Maroon Wave: Qatar's official supporter movement wears maroon and creates coordinated displays at matches. The experience of hosting a World Cup has professionalized fan engagement.
• Asian Cup passion: Qatar's Asian Cup victories in 2019 and 2023 generated genuine mass celebrations in Doha, showing that football passion exists and is growing.
• Limited traveling support: Qatar's population of 2.8 million (with only 300,000 citizens) means the traveling contingent will be small. Expect a vocal but modest presence in North American stadiums.

Why to watch if you are a casual fan: Qatar's story is one of redemption. The 2022 World Cup was humiliating — worst host-nation performance ever. Now, under a pragmatic new coach, with Asian Cup-winning pedigree, Qatar want to prove they can compete at the global level. Whether they succeed or fail, the narrative is compelling.

Qatar face an uphill battle in Group B. Switzerland and Canada are likely too strong, and Bosnia-Herzegovina are a tough opponent in their own right.

Prediction: Group stage exit. Qatar will be more competitive than 2022 — Queiroz will ensure they are organized and hard to break down — but the quality gap against European and North American opposition at this level is real. Picking up a draw or an unexpected victory against Bosnia would represent genuine progress.