How they got there: Round 2 Group A winners

2022 AFC Asian Qualifiers Record: Qualified as hosts

Previous FIFA World Cup appearances: 1

Head Coach: Marquez Lopez

Fun Fact: Qatar are one of eight teams to have completed Round 2 without suffering defeat

The two-time AFC Asian Cup™ champions qualified with ease from Group A, booking their ticket into Round 3 with two matches to spare with head coach Marquez Lopez using the opportunity to test young players in the final games against Afghanistan and India.

“We have a long journey ahead of us in the final round of the qualifiers to move forward towards the anticipated dream of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, which is a very important matter for us,” said Lopez.

Having appeared in their maiden FIFA World Cup Finals as hosts, Qatar are determined to qualify on merit this time around, with Lopez confident of their chances.

Qatar, however, have to do something their predecessors didn't achieve in the six previous qualifiers prior to hosting the 2022 edition, advancing past the third round.

The closest they came was in the 2002 edition, where they were in second spot in Group B after six matches but back-to-back defeats to United Arab Emirates and China PR saw them eventually finishing fourth and out of the running.

Having guided the team to retaining the AFC Asian Cup title earlier this year, Lopez will be aiming to expand on his achievements by taking Qatar to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Finals.