The Qatar national football team has announced its squad for the upcoming Arab Cup 2025, aiming to improve its performance following a disappointing outing at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Under the management of Julen Lopetegui, Qatar seeks to build momentum as it prepares for the 2026 World Cup, where it will compete as a host nation for the first time after qualifying through the Asian qualifiers.
Following an underwhelming World Cup experience in 2022, where Qatar became the first host nation to exit at the group stage after scoring only one goal, the team is determined to make a mark in the upcoming tournament. The Qatari squad officially secured its place in the 2026 World Cup after defeating the United Arab Emirates and drawing against Oman in the fourth round of Asian qualifying, showcasing their potential as they prepare for a larger tournament format.
Squad Details and Expectations
The announced squad for the Arab Cup includes notable players such as goalkeeper Shehab Ellethy from Al-Shahaniya, along with strikers Almoez Ali and Akram Afif, who both play for Al-Sadd. Over the years, Qatar has consistently reached the semi-finals or better in every Arab Cup it has participated in, although they have yet to win the competition. This will be the third time Qatar hosts the Arab Cup and the second consecutive occasion.
The complete squad is as follows:
– **Goalkeepers**: Shehab Ellethy (Al-Shahaniya), Mahmud Abunada (Al-Arabi), Meshaal Barsham (Al-Sadd)
– **Defenders**: Issa Laye (Al-Arabi), Lucas Mendes (Al-Wakrah), Tarek Salman (Al-Sadd), Ayoub Al-Oui (Al-Gharafa), Homam Ahmed (Al-Duhail), Yousef Aymen (Al-Duhail), Al-Hashmi Al-Hussain (Al-Arabi), Sultan Al-Brake (Al-Duhail)
– **Midfielders**: Mohammed Waad (Al-Sadd), Abdulaziz Hatem (Al-Rayyan), Jassem Gaber (Al-Rayyan), Khalid Ali Sabah (Al-Sailiya), Mohamed Al-Mannai (Al-Shamal), Ahmed Fathy (Al-Arabi), Assim Madibo (Al-Wakrah)
– **Forwards**: Ahmed Alaaeldin (Al-Rayyan), Mohammed Muntari (Al-Gharafa), Akram Afif (Al-Sadd), Edmilson Junior (Al-Duhail), Mohamed Khaled Gouda (Al-Arabi)
The fixtures for the Arab Cup are set to commence with Qatar facing Tunisia on December 7, 2025, at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor. Prior to that, they will play against Syria on December 4 and Palestine on December 1.
Managerial Insight and Key Players
Under the guidance of Julen Lopetegui, who has previously managed high-profile clubs such as Real Madrid and Sevilla, Qatar aims to harness his extensive experience in international football. Lopetegui’s history of leading teams in competitive environments may provide the stability and strategic insight needed for Qatar to improve on its past performances.
One player to watch is Almoez Ali, who has represented Qatar in several major tournaments, including the 2019 Copa America and the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup, where he emerged as the top scorer. His previous World Cup experience in 2022 will be invaluable as he aims to score his first goal in the tournament, a feat achieved by only one other Qatari player in history.
As Qatar prepares for both the Arab Cup and the World Cup, the team’s commitment to growth and development is evident. The combination of a supportive home crowd and a seasoned manager may well provide the foundation for an improved showing on the international stage. With their sights set on success, fans will be eager to see how the squad performs in the upcoming matches.
