Qatar national team ready for World Cup opener against Switzerland
Qatar national team ready for World Cup opener against Switzerland
Updated at: June 13, 2026 at 05:45 AM
Excitement is building as the Qatar national football team prepares for their 2026 FIFA World Cup opener.
On Saturday, June 13, 2026, Qatar will face Switzerland at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
This match represents a major milestone: for the first time, Qatar has qualified for the tournament through the official qualification pathway rather than as a host nation.
Under the leadership of Spanish manager Julen Lopetegui, the squad, featuring stars like Akram Afif and Almoez Ali, is eager to improve upon their 2022 performance.
Despite a challenging recent run of form, the team is motivated to secure a result in a competitive Group B, which also includes Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Switzerland enters the tournament as the group favorite, boasting a strong FIFA ranking and a reputation for tactical consistency.
The two nations previously met in 2018, where a goal from Akram Afif led Qatar to a 1-0 victory.
As the reigning Asian champions, Qatar hopes to prove their strength against the experienced Swiss side in what promises to be a thrilling start to their campaign.
