Qatar World Cup 2022 squad list, fixtures and latest odds

As the host nation, Qatar secured an automatic World Cup qualification spot and will be hoping to prove they are not out of their depth.

The team is managed by the Spaniard Felix Sanchez, who came through the ranks coaching FC Barcelona’s youth side before moving to head up Qatar.

The 46-year-old has lived and worked in Qatar since 2006 and joined the Aspire Academy to help scout young athletes. After coaching Qatar’s national under-19 side, during which they won the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-20 Asian Cup, and stints managing the under-20 and under-23 sides, Sanchez replaced Jorge Fossati in the senior team in 2017.

Since then, Qatar have had mixed success on the global stage, but can a home crowd turn around their fortunes? 

Qatar World Cup 2022 squad

World Cup squads are usually announced around six weeks before the World Cup starts. This year the World Cup will run from Nov 21-Dec 18.

The current team’s top goal-scorer, Almoez Ali (39), has a goal-to-game ratio of 0.53, followed by Hassan Al-Haydos (33) on 0.21 and Akram Afif (24) on 0.29.

Who are likely to be the star names in the squad?

Most of the squad in recent tournament are minor names who play for a handful of Qatar clubs, mostly Al-Sadd and Al-Duhail.

But most notable has to be Akram Afif, a left-winger who can play up front, who played for Spanish club Sevilla as a youth, before joining Belgian side Eupen in 2015 to launch his senior career.

The 26-year-old then became the first Qatari-born signing in LaLiga history when he moved to Villarreal in 2016.

What are Qatar’s fixtures?

Qatar are in Group A with Ecuador, Senegal and Netherlands.

Nov 20: Qatar vs Ecuador, Al Bayt Stadium, 7pm

Nov 25: Qatar vs Senegal, Al Thumama Stadium, 1pm 

Nov 29: Netherlands vs Qatar, Al Bayt Stadium, 3pm

The knockout phase will begin with the Round of 16 from December 3-6.

See the full list of World Cup 2022 fixtures.

What is Qatar’s World Cup record?

Qatar has failed to qualify for every World Cup it has been eligible for, until this year they qualified as hosts. 

They have fared slightly better at a continental level, winning the AFC Asian Cup title for the first time in 2019. 

The national team has played at various other international tournaments, such as the 2019 Copa America where they lost to Argentina and Columbia, and reaching the semi-finals of the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup. 

Friendlies in March this year brought a 2-1 win over Bulgaria and 0-0 draw with Slovenia which may be a confidence booster. 

Latest odds

Qatar are currently 350/1 to win the World Cup 2022.

Other leading contenders…

• Brazil 9/2
• France 6/1
• England 11/2
• Argentina 7/1

Information correct as of September 7