Qatar's national football team: players, coach, FIFA world rankings, World Cup

Qatar's national football team: players, coach, FIFA world rankings, World Cup

Claudia Kogi
updated at August 9, 2023 at 9:30 AM

Qatar's national football team is an international soccer team that represents the republic of Qatar in men's soccer. Initially, soccer was brought to the country during the era when oil reserves were discovered. Since its discovery, the team has appeared in ten Asian Cup tournaments and won it once in 2019.

Qatar's national football team
The Maroons gather for a team photo ahead of the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup match against Iraq, at Khalifa Stadium in Doha, Qatar on November 26, 2019. Photo: Mohammed Dabbous
Source: Getty Images

Like other soccer clubs, Qatar's national team does have a nickname. The players are often dubbed The Maroons. The name was derived from the colour of their skits. Have you been wondering what Qatar's national football team's roster is? Have a look at this article and find more information about The Maroons.

Profile summary

  • Full name: Qatar National Football team
  • Nickname: The Maroons
  • Managed by: Qatar Football Association and AFC
  • Founded: 1960
  • Colours: Maroon and white
  • Federation: CAF
  • Head coach: Felix Sanchez
  • Captain: Hassan Al-Haydos
  • Most caps: Hassan Al-Haydos (163)
  • Top scorer: Mubarak Mustafa (41)
  • FIFA ranking: 51 (as of March 2022)
  • Stadium: Khalifa International Stadium and Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium
  • FIFA code: QAT

When was Qatar's national football team founded?

The Qatar-based national soccer team was founded by the Qatar Football Association in 1970. This was after parts of the country were declared oil reserves. The football club then debuted in the soccer scene when it played its first official match on 21 March 1970 against Bahrain.

When was Qatar's national football team founded?
The Maroons in action during a training session ahead of 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier game against China at Khalifa Stadium on September 4, 2017 in Doha. Photo: Visual
Source: Getty Images

Who is Qatar's national football team coach?

A coach plays a vital part in the prosperity of any given soccer club. Like any leader's role, a coach ensures that his players are always on the right track. How old is Qatar's current coach?

Profile summary

  • Full name: Felix Sanchez Bas
  • Date of birth: 13 December 1975
  • Age: 46 years old as of May 2022
  • Place of birth: Barcelona, Spain
  • Nationality: Spanish
  • Current team: Qatar national soccer team

Aside from the coach, another essential person in every football club is the captain. So, who is Qatar's national football team captain? Hassan Khalid Hassan Al-Haydos is the most capped Qatari footballer to ever play and the joint-fourth highest goalscorer.

Profile summary

  • Full name: Hassan Khalid Hassan Al-Haydos
  • Date of birth: 11 December 1990
  • Place of birth: Doha, Qatar
  • Age: 31 years old (as of May 2022)
  • Nationality: Qatari
  • Height in feet: 5'7" or 170 centimetres
  • Current team: Qatari club Al Sadd and the Qatar national soccer team
  • Position: Striker, captain
  • Number: 10

Qatar's national football team: world rankings

Qatar's national football team coach and FIFA world rankings
Head coach Felix Sanchez and Ahmed Al-Saadi attend a press conference ahead of 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier game against China at Khalifa Stadium in Doha. Photo: Visual China
Source: Getty Images

According to the latest FIFA ranking, The Maroons sit at position 48 with 1437.91 points, just after The Republic of Ireland, which has 1444.29 points. The club's highest FIFA ranking was position 42 in 2021, while its lowest was position 113 in 2010.

Has Qatar's national football team ever participated in the World Cup?

The soccer club has appeared in ten Asian Cup tournaments and won it once in 2019. Unfortunately, The Maroons have not yet made it to participate in the World Cup competitions. However, they have recently qualified to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup competitions. It will be the first time in soccer history that an Arab country hosts the World Cup competitions.

Qatar's national football team: trophies

The soccer club has won several cups since they debuted on the soccer scene:

  • (2019) AFC Asian Cup
  • (1992, 2004, 2014) Arabian Gulf Cup
  • (2014) WAFF Championship
  • (2006) Football at the Asian Games
  • (2018) International Friendship Championship

Who are Qatar's national football team players?

The following players were called up for the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup.

Goalkeepers

  • Saad Al Sheeb (Al-Sadd)
  • Yousef Hassan (Al-Gharafa)
  • Meshaal (Al-Sadd)
Qatar's national football team players
The Maroons in action during a training session ahead of 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier game against China at Khalifa Stadium on September 4, 2017 in Doha, Qatar. Photo: Visual
Source: Getty Images

Defenders

  • Ro-Ro (Al-Sadd)
  • Abdelkarim Hassan (Al-Sadd)
  • Tarek Salman (Al-Sadd)
  • Musab Kheder (Al-Sadd)
  • Homam Ahmed (Al-Gharafa)
  • Bassam Al-Rawi (Al-Duhail)
  • Boualem Khoukhi (Al-Sadd)

Midfielders

  • Abdulaziz Hatem (Al-Rayyan)
  • Mohammed Waad (Al-Sadd)
  • Ali Assadalla (Al-Sadd)
  • Karim Boudiaf (Al-Duhail)
  • Abdullah Al-Ahrak (Al-Duhail)
  • Assim Madibo (Al-Duhail)

Forwards

  • Akram Afif (Al-Sadd)
  • Ahmed Alaaeldin (Al-Gharafa)
  • Mohammed Muntari (Al-Duhail)
  • Hassan Al-Haydos (Al-Sadd)
  • Ismaeel Mohammad (Al-Duhail)
  • Khalid Muneer (Al-Wakrah)
  • Almoez Ali (Al-Duhail)

Who is the best player in Qatar's national football team?

Abdelkarim Hassan is the best Qatari footballer. He also plays as a left-back for the Al Sadd soccer club. He is known for winning the Asian Footballer Award in 2018.

Qatar's national football team's nickname
Almoez Ali Abdullah of The Maroons in action against Ibrahim Bayesh of Iraq during the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup match against Iraq in Doha, Qatar on November 26, 2019. Photo: Mohammed Dabbous
Source: Getty Images

Has Qatar won a World Cup?

The national football team is yet to participate in the World Cup competitions. However, they recently qualified to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup competitions.

Qatar's national football team stadium

The Maroons are privileged to play their home games at their home grounds, Khalifa International Stadium and Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.

Participating in the World Cup is a dream of any Qatar national football team player and fan. However, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a step. With how the team's consistency is displayed, perhaps the country is a few steps away from reaching its goal. World Cup awaits!

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Authors
Claudia Kogi photo
Claudia Kogi
Claudia Kogi is a Kenyan content creator with over 3 years of experience. Claudia joined Sportsbrief.com as a writer in January 2022, covering sports and relatable content.