Doha, Qatar: Four years ago, Qatar’s World Cup debut never truly got going. A nervy opening defeat to Ecuador set the tone for a difficult campaign that ended without a point and with hopes fading before the knockout rounds even came into view.
As Al Annabi prepare to begin their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign against Switzerland at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in Santa Clara tomorrow, head coach Julen Lopetegui will be hoping for a far brighter start.
The stakes are significant as the reigning Asian champions enter their second consecutive World Cup with ambitions of reaching the knockout stage for the first time, but their toughest Group B assignment arrives immediately against a Switzerland side dubbed the favourites to finish top of the section.
Switzerland bring experience, consistency and a squad packed with players competing at the highest levels of European football.
Murat Yakin’s side have progressed from the group stage at each of the last three World Cups and reached the UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-finals.
This is Switzerland’s 13th World Cup appearance and they arrived in North America unbeaten in qualifying, winning four and drawing two of their six matches.
Led by captain Granit Xhaka, Switzerland also possess valuable World Cup experience throughout the squad. Xhaka is preparing for his fourth successive World Cup, while Ricardo Rodriguez is also set for a fourth appearance.
Five members of Yakin’s squad are competing at their third World Cup, giving the Swiss a core group accustomed to the demands and pressure of major tournaments.
Qatar’s preparations have not been entirely smooth. Planned high-profile friendlies against Argentina national football team and Serbia national football team were cancelled due to regional tensions, limiting opportunities to test themselves against elite oppositions before travelling to North America.
Even so, Lopetegui has remained encouraged by the work completed during training camps at home and in the United States. Qatar closed their preparations with a 1-0 defeat to Ireland and a goalless draw against El Salvador, results that highlighted both the team’s defensive organisation and their continuing search for greater attacking efficiency.
Lopetegui has made no secret of the challenge awaiting his side against Switzerland.
“Switzerland are a huge challenge in all aspects,” Lopetegui said recently, pointing to the quality, experience and tactical discipline that have made the Swiss regular competitors at major tournaments.
For Qatar, the task will be to avoid a repeat of the slow start that undermined their campaign in 2022. Defensive concentration will be essential against a Swiss side capable of controlling possession and punishing mistakes, while Qatar must also show greater attacking ambition than they managed in their opening World Cup appearance against Ecuador.
Much of that responsibility will fall on Akram Afif, Qatar’s leading creative force, and Almoez Ali, the country’s all-time leading scorer, who continues his return to full fitness after an injury-interrupted season. Midfielders Assim Madibo and Ahmed Fathy are expected to play important roles in helping Qatar compete physically and tactically against a well-drilled opponent.
Lopetegui has repeatedly stressed that Qatar are not travelling to the World Cup simply to participate.
“In theory, they may be stronger than us, but they have to prove that on the pitch. Our job is to defend our chances and compete from the first minute,” the coach said.
That message may be particularly important in the opening match. With Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina still to come, a positive result against the group favourites would significantly strengthen Qatar’s hopes of reaching the knockout rounds.
