Asian Cup champions Qatar will look to bury the horrors of the last World Cup as the country takes on Switzerland in the group stage opener of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Qatar, the first Arab country to host the tournament, conceded seven goals in the 2022 World Cup and finished in the group stage as the worst-performing side hosting the World Cup.
In 2026 it earned qualification for the World Cup on merit for the first time. The team, coached by Julen Lopetegui, will play in Group B with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Switzerland and co-host Canada.
However, Qatar chose to start without record scorer Almoez Ali in the opening match.
Why Almoez Ali won’t start for Qatar vs Switzerland?
Almoez Ali has 55 goals for Qatar and was the top scorer in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. However, he will start from the bench for the match against Switzerland.
There is no recent injury to Almoez and it looks like he is starting from the bench to bring about a tactical change from Lopetegui, who will look to inspire the side to their first point at the World Cup.
Almoez will be replaced by a younger striker in Yusuf Abdusirag, while the attack will be led by Akram Afif, two-time AFC Player of the Year, and the highest goalscorer and best player in the 2023 Asian Cup, which Qatar won.
Published on June 14, 2026
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