Qatar players during a training session at the Khalifa International Stadium yesterday. PICS: Hana Ramadan/The Peninsula
Doha, Qatar: With sharp focus on display, Qatar went through an energetic training session at the Khalifa International Stadium yesterday as preparations continued to gather pace for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
All 35 probables under head coach Julen Lopetegui were involved in what marked the two-time Asian champions’ final scheduled workout on home soil before their departure for Dublin tomorrow, where they will face Ireland in a friendly on Thursday. Lopetegui is expected to trim his squad to the final 26 after the match.
The session, light in load but sharp in execution, was held in front of the media, offering a glimpse into a camp where competition for places remains fierce and every touch carries significance.
Initial target: Clear the group stage
The inaugural 48-team FIFA World Cup will feature 12 groups, with the top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-placed sides, advancing to the round of 32.
Qatar have been drawn in Group B alongside Switzerland, co-hosts Canada, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Al Annabi, who made their World Cup debut as hosts in 2022, are now eyeing a maiden knockout berth on football’s biggest stage after a difficult home campaign four years ago ended in disappointment with three defeats in as many matches.
Pedro Miguel believes Qatar are ready to clear the first hurdle.
“It’s a difficult group with strong teams boosting good players,” the seasoned defender, who was also part of Qatar’s previous World Cup squad, said on the sidelines of the training session.
“The first target is to clear the group and we have a chance to qualify for the knockout stage and we are ready. We will give everything to qualify. We just have to fight until the end. After we qualify, we will take one match at a time.”
Pedro Miguel
Miguel feels that experience of the 2022 World Cup will serve as motivation rather than pressure in North America.
“We are feeling less pressure because we are not playing at home. We had a lot of pressure to play an amazing World Cup in front of our home fans. But unfortunately we couldn’t do it because we didn’t play well. But this part of football, it’s been already four years. We have a lot of experience now.
“We have a lot of new players to come and help us. And InshaAllah we’ll play an amazing World Cup.”
Miguel added that the atmosphere within the squad has been upbeat, with players pushing each other to reach peak condition ahead of the opener.
“All the players are excited. All the players are giving 100% in the training to be in the best shape in the first game.”
After the friendly against Ireland, Qatar will also face El Salvador in another World Cup warm-up in Los Angeles on June 6.
“These will be good games to prepare ourselves and get into best shape especially for the first match against Switzerland [on June 13].”
Our goal is to perform better than previous World Cup: Homam
Another Qatari defender Homam El-Amin stressed that the team’s ambition is not just participation, but clear improvement on their last World Cup campaign.
“Our goal in this tournament is to perform better than in the previous one,” he said.
“There won’t be any easy matches; all the teams in our group are tough. We, as the Qatari national team, have to focus on ourselves. InshaAllah, we’ll perform well in this tournament and go further.”
Homam El-Amin
Homam added that Qatar’s preparations are firmly on track, with the upcoming friendlies against Ireland and El Salvador seen as crucial tune-ups.
“This World Cup will be different from our debut World Cup because we have earned our spot for the first time through qualifiers and we are eager to achieve the best possible results,” he said.
Forward Yusuf Abdurisag also echoed the same belief, insisting the team’s primary objective is to make a strong impact in the group stage.
“We will be fully ready to give our best to reach the knockout stage. It’s a tough group but we are keeping our fingers crossed.”
With strong Qatari fan support expected in North America, Abdurisag highlighted the emotional boost it could bring to the squad.
“The fans’ presence will give players motivation and will have a positive impact on the team.”
We are better experienced now: Salman
Defender Tarek Salman said Qatar’s squad has evolved significantly since their last World Cup appearance, with lessons learned now shaping their build-up.
“We are more experienced now and we have developed from the last World Cup. We are having a different build-up for the World Cup and we are looking forward to a better performance,” he said.
“Everyone is completely focused on the World Cup and InshaAllah the results will be better,” Salman added.
Qatar forward Akram Afif during the training session.
Ahmed Al-Ganehi also reflected on the team’s ambitions heading into the global showpiece.
“Every player dreams of playing in the World Cup. We have the ambition and the ability to compete at the global stage, and InshaAllah, we will make it to the next round.
“It’s a tough group, not an easy one. Almost every group is tough. But as I said, we have the ambition to make it to the World Cup. We will give everything to achieve that.”
FIFA World Cup 2026
Qatar's Group B Fixtures (Qatar time)
Friday, June 13
Qatar vs Switzerland at Bay Area Stadium, San Francisco - 22:00
Thursday, June 19
Canada vs Qatar at BC Place, Vancouver - 01:00
Tuesday, June 24
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar at Seattle Stadium - 22:00
