DOHA: Spanish head coach Luis García has unveiled a 30-player squad for Qatar’s upcoming World Cup 2026 qualifiers against North Korea and Kyrgyzstan.
The matches, part of the Asian qualifiers’ seventh and eighth rounds in Group 1, are set for Thursday, March 20, in Doha against North Korea, followed by an away fixture in Bishkek against Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday, March 25.
García has recalled several senior players who were left out of the Arabian Gulf Cup squad in December, including Boualem Khoukhi, Abdelkarim Hassan, and Abdulaziz Hatem. Additionally, Pedro Miguel and Edmilson Junior return after recovering from injuries. Akram Afif and Almoez Ali will lead Qatar’s attack as they aim to secure vital points.
Qatar currently sits fourth in Group 1 with seven points, trailing Iran (16), Uzbekistan (13), and the UAE (10). Kyrgyzstan (3) and North Korea (2) round out the standings. With only four matches remaining, these fixtures are crucial for Qatar’s World Cup hopes, as only the top two teams will secure direct qualification.
The squad will undergo intensive training in Doha before facing North Korea, then travel to Bishkek for the Kyrgyzstan clash. Coach García stressed the need to collect maximum points to stay in contention for a spot in the 2026 World Cup.
