AFC U23 Asian Cup
After missing out in 2013, the West Asian side have featured in every edition but have never advanced to the title decider.
Factfile
Previous appearances: 5
Best finish: S-finals (2016, 2018)
2024 record: Q-finals
How they qualified: Group H winners
Group B fixtures: v UAE (Jan 7), v Syria (Jan 10), v Japan (Jan 13)
Fun fact: Qatar’s campaign in the 2020 and 2022 editions ended in the group stage.
Previous appearances: 5
Best finish: S-finals (2016, 2018)
2024 record: Q-finals
How they qualified: Group H winners
Group B fixtures: v UAE (Jan 7), v Syria (Jan 10), v Japan (Jan 13)
Fun fact: Qatar’s campaign in the 2020 and 2022 editions ended in the group stage.
Winning Group H in the Qualifiers ensures Qatar will arrive in Saudi Arabia with momentum, but they face a stern test in Group B against defending champions Japan as well as United Arab Emirates and Syria.
Qatar are unbeaten this year with the run stretching back to March when they competed in the Doha Cup and continued during the Qualifiers where they scored 17 goals.
Head coach Ilidio Vale will be spoilt for choice when trimming his squad down for Saudi 2026.
Qatar are unbeaten this year with the run stretching back to March when they competed in the Doha Cup and continued during the Qualifiers where they scored 17 goals.
Head coach Ilidio Vale will be spoilt for choice when trimming his squad down for Saudi 2026.
Al Rayyan forward Moustafa El Sayed found the net four times against Brunei Darussalam in the Qualifiers while Jassem Al Sharshani, who plays for Qatar Stars League side Al Ahli, scored in every match.
With the likes of El Sayed and Al Sharshani steering the team, Qatar will be optimistic that they can finally lay their hands on the coveted trophy.
With the likes of El Sayed and Al Sharshani steering the team, Qatar will be optimistic that they can finally lay their hands on the coveted trophy.
