Doha: Julen Lopetegui, the Spanish head coach of the Qatar football team, has announced a 28-player roster for an upcoming friendly match against the Republic of Ireland. The match will take place on Thursday in Dublin as part of Qatar's preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. According to Qatar News Agency, the Qatari squad traveling to Ireland includes key players such as Meshaal Barsham, Mahmoud Abunada, Salah Zakaria, and Shehab Ellethy among others. Star forwards Almoez Ali and Akram Afif, along with midfielders like Assim Madibo and Karim Boudiaf, are also part of the team. Defenders such as Boualem Khoukhi and Pedro Miguel will be crucial in fortifying the squad's defense. The technical evaluation by the coaching staff led to the cutting of seven players from the preliminary squad. These players include Sebastian Soria, Tarek Salman, Fahad Younis, Bassam Al Rawi, Mohammed Waad, Mubarak Shanan, and Naile Mason. This strategic selection is aimed at optimizing team performance ahead of the World Cup. This will be Qatar's second appearance at a World Cup, following its debut as the host nation in 2022. For the 2026 tournament, Qatar has been drawn into Group B alongside Canada, Switzerland, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
