Abdelkarim Hassan Returns to Qatar Squad for Crucial FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers. Doha, Qatar – In preparation for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying matches, seasoned defender Abdelkarim Hassan has made a much-anticipated return to the Qatar national football team. Head coach Marquez Lopez has named a 27-man squad to face Kyrgyzstan and Iran, critical matches for Qatar’s qualification campaign.
The two-time Asian champions will host Kyrgyzstan at the Al Thumama Stadium on October 10, followed by an away match against Iran in Mashhad five days later. With only one point from two games in the qualifiers, these matches will be crucial for Qatar’s World Cup hopes.
Abdelkarim Hassan Returns to Qatar Squad for Crucial FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers
Perhaps the most notable inclusion in this squad is Abdelkarim Hassan, who has not represented Qatar since the FIFA World Cup 2022. The 31-year-old defender, currently playing for Al Wakrah, had been under an indefinite suspension from the Qatar Football Association (QFA) after a controversial incident involving a fan on social media following Qatar’s early exit from the World Cup.
During this past summer, Hassan resolved a contract dispute with his former club, Al Sadd, and subsequently joined Al Wakrah. His return to the national team is seen as a critical boost for Qatar’s defense, given his experience and leadership on the field.
Squad Changes for World Cup Qualification Matches
In addition to Hassan’s return, coach Marquez Lopez has made several changes to the squad. These alterations come after Qatar’s recent disappointing results, including a 1-3 loss to United Arab Emirates and a 2-2 draw against North Korea in the first two Group A matches.
Defender Pedro Miguel, who was injured during Al Sadd’s AFC Champions League clash against Iran’s Esteghlal, will miss the upcoming qualifiers. In his place, Lopez has called up Al Ahli’s Marwan Sherif, replacing Mohammed Al Bakri from Al Wakrah. Sherif will join Lopez’s top goalkeeping choices, Meshaal Barsham, Saad Al Sheeb, and Salah Zakaria, who have retained their spots on the roster.
Lopez has also added fresh talent to the squad, with Al Gharafa’s Ahmed Al Ganehi and Al Shahania’s Naif Al Hadhrami included for the critical qualifiers. Forward players Almoez Ali and Akram Afif are expected to spearhead the attack, adding offensive power to the team.
Boualem Khoukhi, another key player from Al Sadd, has been recalled to the squad, along with Al Duhail’s Edmilson Junior, who made his international debut in the match against North Korea. These experienced players will be essential in providing balance and depth as Qatar seeks to turn around their qualifying campaign.
Qatar’s Tough Road Ahead
Currently, Qatar sits with just one point in Group A, barely above Kyrgyzstan, who are at the bottom of the group. Uzbekistan and Iran lead the group with six points each, followed by the UAE (3 points), and North Korea (1 point). With eight games left to play, Qatar is in a tight spot and must secure points from this month’s fixtures to stay in contention for World Cup 2026 qualification.
Coach Lopez remains optimistic despite the slow start. “It’s true that we have only one point, but we have eight matches left, and we will give our best to win and secure qualification for the World Cup,” Lopez stated after the North Korea draw.
Key Players to Watch
Qatar will rely on several star players to help lead them through this challenging phase. Abdelkarim Hassan, with his renewed focus and return to form, is expected to anchor the defense. Meanwhile, forwards Akram Afif and Almoez Ali—two of the most dynamic offensive players in Asia—will be crucial in breaking down opposition defenses.
In midfield, Abdulaziz Hatem, Boualem Khoukhi, and Ahmed Al Ganehi are expected to provide creativity and stability. Meanwhile, the inclusion of emerging talents like Naif Al Hadhrami shows Lopez’s willingness to introduce new blood into the squad to refresh the team’s dynamics.
Defensive Concerns and Goalkeeping Depth
While Pedro Miguel’s absence due to injury is a blow to the team, Qatar’s defensive depth, with the inclusion of Bassam Al Rawi, Tarek Salman, and Lucas Mendez, ensures that there is still solidity at the back. On the goalkeeping front, Meshaal Barsham remains the top choice, backed by experienced keepers like Saad Al Sheeb and Salah Zakaria.
The focus on team defense will be paramount as Qatar faces Iran, a team known for its attacking prowess, especially on their home turf. The match against Kyrgyzstan will also be a must-win for Qatar if they are to stay competitive in the group standings.
The Road to FIFA World Cup 2026
The stakes are high for Qatar as they embark on this crucial phase of their FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification journey. With only the top two teams from each group earning direct qualification, every match will be critical.
The return of experienced players like Abdelkarim Hassan and the injection of new talents indicate that coach Marquez Lopez is pulling out all the stops to ensure Qatar’s successful campaign. The upcoming matches against Kyrgyzstan and Iran will be decisive in determining whether Qatar can regain their momentum and qualify for the World Cup once again.
Qatar Squad for FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers
Marwan Sherif, Meshaal Barsham, Saad Al Sheeb, Salah Zakaria, Abdelrahman Moustafa, Abdullah Al Yazidi, Abdulaziz Hatem, Abdelkarim Hassan, Ahmed Al Ganehi, Ahmed Alaa, Ahmed Fathy, Almahdi Ali, Bassam Al Rawi, Boualem Khoukhi, Lucas Mendez, Jassim Jaber, Akram Afif, Almoez Ali, Edmilson Junior, Ibrahim Al Hassan, Ismaeel Mohammad, Mohammed Ayash, Sultan Al Brake, Yousef Abdulrazzaq, Mohammad Waad, Naif Al Hadhrami, Tarek Salman.