By pretty much all metrics, the current Qatar national football team is considered to be the country’s best ever. With so many above-average talents all playing at the same time, the World Cup host nation looks to leave a serious impression on its tournament debut.
As hosts, the current Qatar team already had pressure going into the tournament, but a string of positive results over the past few years has really cranked up the expectations.
The team’s imperious victory at the Asia Cup 2019, and strong showings during South America’s Copa America in Brazil in 2019, followed up by a semi-final place at the CONCACAF Gold Cup last summer (only losing to a late goal against the hosts USA), all signs are pointing to a team that is peaking just at the right time.
Here are five players from ‘The Maroon’ that you should keep your eyes on…
Abdelkarim Hassan
The left-sided defender is one of the leading stars in a ‘golden generation’ of Qatari footballers. Not only is he a serial winner with his club side Al Sadd SC, but he was instrumental in the national team’s triumph at the Asian Cup 2019, and was even voted Asia’s best player in 2018. Still only 28 years old, he has already represented Qatar more than 120 times, and is widely considered by fans as one of the country’s greatest ever players.
Al-Moez Ali
The Al-Duhail striker became a national hero thanks to his role as Top Goalscorer, and Player of the Tournament in Qatar’s victorious Asian Cup 2019 campaign. But it didn’t stop there. He wrote another page of history in 2021 when he was crowned the Top Scorer at the ConcaCaf Gold Cup, scoring 4 goals in the tournament and becoming the first player to have the Top Scorer accolade in two different continents. Now the captain of Al-Duhail, the striker will be a crucial part of Qatar’s success at the world cup.
Akram Afif
Winner of the Asian Footballer of the Year in 2019, followers of Asian football know all about the tricky left-winger. The Al Sadd attacker spent some time at La Liga’s Villarreal, before returning back to run riot in the Qatar Stars League, winning a trio of titles. He was also an instrumental part of the Asia Cup winning side in 2019, which led him to being voted the Asian Player of the Year later in the year.
Saad Al Sheeb
Goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb has been a mainstay for both his club, Al Saad, and country for more than a decade. He is a serial winner.
During the successful Asia Cup campaign, his well-marshalled defence only conceeded one goal, and with Qatar facing a rather line up of opposition in Group A (Netherlands, Senegal and Ecuador), Al Sheeb will undoubtedly be needed to be in similar form if the hosts are to progress from the group.
Hassan Al-Haydos
As the all-time most-capped Qatari international, with 158 games under his belt, Captain Hassan Al-Haydos is the first name on the team sheet.
Dubbed one of the greatest players in his generation, the forward has shelled a total of 38 goals during his time with Al Annabi, and is is expected to lead by example come kick-off in Doha on November 20.
His ability to shift between midfield roles gives the squad a helpful level of tactical diversity and much of the squad look to him to lead the country’s footballing dreams both off and on the pitch.