Home of football statistics and historyQatar will head into the 2026 FIFA World Cup as one of the bookmakers’ favourites to make an early exit from the tournament.
For football fans inclined towards online sports betting, odds of 1/2 to finish bottom of Group B will likely be an enticing proposition.
However, despite being drawn against Switzerland, Canada and Bosnia & Herzegovina, the 2022 hosts will believe they can make progress.
Securing qualification has changed the narrative
While sportsbooks operators are generally accurate when they formulate their odds, it would be foolish to think that Qatar cannot defy expectations.
Qatar were not ready for the emotional weight of hosting the World Cup in 2022, but they should be much better equipped this time around.
Julen Lopetegui’s appointment as manager has raised expectations. He took charge in 2025 and guided Qatar to their first World Cup qualification through the regular process.
Lopetegui will hope his team secures a positive result in their opening game against Switzerland, but that may be easier said than done.
The Swiss have reached the last-16 in each of the last three World Cups and are generally a tough team to break down in major tournaments.
Canada present a different challenge to Qatar. They will be will backed by vociferous home support in Vancouver, which could work in their favour.
However, it is worth noting that Canada have lost all six of their previous matches at the World Cup, and Qatar will view this as a winnable game.
Bosnia are undoubtedly dangerous having defeated Italy in the European play-offs. Despite this, Qatar have the ability to cause them problems.
The expanded format gives Qatar a genuine chance of progression. The top two teams in each of the 12 groups qualify automatically and the eight best third-placed teams go through to the round of 32.
Four points will likely be enough to reach the knockout stage. A single win or three draws could also get the job done, depending on goal difference.
Akram Afif is crucial to Qatar’s hopes this summer
Akram Afif is Qatar’s standout performer. He has been described as the ‘engine of Qatar’s ambition’ and is crucial to their hopes of making progress.
Qatar are arguably too dependent on Afif to create chances. If opponents isolate him, their attacking play can become extremely predictable.
Lopetegui’s influence may prove decisive. He does not need to reinvent the wheel, but must ensure they have another route to goal when Afif is shackled.
If the manager can eke out further improvement from the Qatar squad, progressing to the knockout stage is a realistic target.
Anything less than a place in the round of 32 would be disappointing, because the revised format is designed to give competent teams more chance to progress.
While Qatar do not possess the quality and depth needed to overcome elite-level opponents, none of their group stage rivals fit that description.
The likeliest outcome is that Qatar will battle with Canada and Bosnia for second or third place, with Switzerland worthy favourites to top the group.
Switzerland are currently ranked 19th the world by FIFA, while Canada (30th) and Bosnia (65th) have Qatar (55th) sandwiched in between them.
If Afif produces some magic and Almoez Ali offers a sharper end product than he managed four years ago, Qatar could secure a place in knockout stage.
They were underwhelming on home soil in 2022, but should be taken seriously as a team capable of surviving the group and boosting their standing in the world rankings.
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