Qatar
Manager: Julen Lopetegui
Qatar will have benefited from their role as hosts four years ago and Spanish head coach Julen Lopetegui, appointed in May 2025, steered them to a first finals via qualifying. Global events meant March friendlies against Serbia and Argentina were cancelled, but Lopetegui adapted by hastily arranging a training camp to drill his players. Lopetegui will likely favour a deep defence with Qatar's style likely to be far more workmanlike than enterprising. In attack, mercurial playmaker Akram Afif has an excellent relationship with striker Almoez Ali, who topped the scoring charts in Asian qualifying. There is quality in Qatar's squad but, like four years ago, they may struggle against all three of their group opponents.
