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Doha, Qatar: Akram Afif and Almoez Ali will lead Qatar’s attack as coach Julen Lopetegui named a 28-player squad yesterday for the national team’s November friendlies against Australia and the Republic of Korea.
The Spanish coach has retained experienced forward Hassan Al Haydos, while sticking with his established goalkeeping trio of Mahmoud Abunada, Meshaal Barsham and Salah Zakaria for the two home matches.
Qatar will open their programme against Australia on November 13 at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 5:45pm. They will then face the Republic of Korea at the same venue on November 17, with the match starting at 5pm.
Afif and Almoez remain key attacking options for Lopetegui, while Al Haydos brings valuable experience to the squad. Edmilson Junior, Hashim Ali, Youssef Abdulrazzaq and Shehab Ellethy also feature among the attacking options.
The midfield includes Abdulaziz Hatem, Assim Madibo, Ahmed Fathy, Jassim Gaber and Karim Boudiaf, while Bassam Al Rawi, Boualem Khoukhi, Tarek Salman and Homam Al Amin provide defensive options.
The November fixtures are part of Qatar’s preparations for their title defence at the AFC Asian Cup, although the continental tournament has since been postponed from January 7-February 5, 2027, to December 23, 2027-January 21, 2028.
Qatar’s planned December 27 friendly against Saudi Arabia in Al Khobar was subsequently cancelled following the postponement, with the Qatar Football Association confirming the decision was taken in coordination with the Saudi side.
The November programme will also feature two other international friendlies in Doha.
Saudi Arabia will face the Republic of Korea at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium on November 13, with kick-off at 5:30pm, while Saudi Arabia will take on Uzbekistan at the same venue on November 17 at 6:30pm.
Qatar squad
Mahmoud Abunada, Meshaal Barsham, Salah Zakaria, Shehab Ellethy, Abdulaziz Hatem, Ahmed Al Janehi, Ahmed Alaa, Ahmed Fathy, Akram Afif, Almoez Ali, Assim Madibo, Ayoub Al Alawi, Bassam Al Rawi, Boualem Khoukhi, Edmilson Junior, Hashim Ali, Hassan Al Haydos, Homam Al Amin, Ibrahim Al Hassan, Issa Laye, Jassim Gaber, Karim Boudiaf, Mohammed Mannai, Niall Mason, Sultan Al Brake, Tarek Salman, Youssef Abdulrazzaq, Youssee Ayman.
Coach: Julen Lopetegui
