Qatar's first-ever World Cup squad has been announced as they prepare to host this year's showpiece
Qatar are set to make their first-ever World Cup appearance after automatically qualifying for the 2022 edition as the host nation.
However, they are not completely new to major tournaments as AFC Asian Cup regulars, having even lifted that trophy back in 2019, while also clinching a third-place finish in the 2021 Arab Cup.
Spanish manager Felix Sanchez has literally grown old with the squad from managing the Aspire Academy in the country from 2006 to taking charge of the Qatar U-19 and U-23 sides, before taking charge of the senior national team in 2017.
will be playing the tournament opener against Ecuador on November 20, before facing Senegal and the Netherlands in Group A.
Here are the 26 players who will make history by being the first to represent Qatar at the World Cup finals.
ALSO READ: World Cup 2022 Group A: Fixtures, results, standings, squads & full details
Kamal Al MobasherGOALKEEPERS
Saad Al Sheeb of Al-Sadd is undoubtedly the first-choice goalkeeper for Qatar, with his club team-mate Mashaal Barsham serving as his deputy.
Youssef Hassan makes the cut, too, but Salah Zakaria has been dropped.
Name
Club
Saad Al Sheeb
Al-Sadd
Youssef Hassan
Al-Gharafa
Meshaal Barsham
Al-Sadd
AdvertisementGettyDEFENDERS
Abdelkarim Hassan is a household name and has over 100 caps under his belt, with Boualem Khoukhi and Ro-Ro offering plenty of experience as well.
Mohammed Emad has been dropped but Jassem Gaber, who is also yet to make his first international appearance at senior level, has been included.
Name
Club
Ro-Ro
Al-Sadd
Abdelkarim Hassan
Al-Sadd
Tarek Salman
Al-Sadd
Musab Kheder
Al-Sadd
Homam Ahmed
Al-Gharafa
Bassam Al-Rawi
Al-Duhail
Boualem Khoukhi
Al-Sadd
Jassem Gaber
Al-Arabi
Getty ImagesMIDFIELDERS
Mohammed Waad cuts an interesting figure in midfield, having been born in Iraq, but representing Qatar at international level.
Abdulaziz Hatm, Karim Boudiaf and Ali Assadalla are among the experienced ones in the squad, among youngsters such as Mostafa Tarek and Osama Al-Tairi.
Name
Club
Abdulaziz Hatem
Al-Rayyan
Mohammed Waad
Al-Sadd
Ali Assadalla
Al-Sadd
Salem Al-Hajri
Al-Sadd
Karim Boudiaf
Al-Duhail
Assim Madibo
Al-Duhail
Mostafa Tarek
Al-Sadd
GettyATTACKERS
Hassan Al-Haydos is Qatar's most capped player of all time with over 160 appearances and a prolific goalscorer as well.
Left winger Akram Afif is another certainty, with star striker Almoez Ali ready to lead the line.
Name
Club
Akram Afif
Al-Sadd
Ahmed Alaaeldin
Al-Gharafa
Mohammed Muntari
Al-Duhail
Hassan Al-Haydos
Al-Sadd
Ismaeel Mohammad
Al-Duhail
Khalid Muneer
Al-Wakrah
Almoez Ali
Al-Duhail
Naif Al-Hadhrami
Al-Rayyan
