FIFA World Cup 2026: Can Asian champions Qatar reach the knockouts?

Article excerpt

Qatar's World Cup campaign begins with genuine knockout ambitions under Spanish coach Julen Lopetegui, a marked shift from their 2022 debut when they exited in the group stage. As defending Asian champions, they enter 2026 with elevated expectations and a squad built to compete. Al Jazeera sat down with Lopetegui to assess whether Qatar can finally move beyond the first round, a question that hinges on both tactical discipline and whether their star players can perform under pressure on the global stage.