Qatar are out of the 2026 World Cup, finishing bottom of Group B with one point — modest on paper, yet the first point the Maroon have ever taken at a World Cup. (Yahoo Sports)
The campaign
It began superbly: a historic 1-1 draw with Switzerland, the equaliser arriving deep in stoppage time for Qatar's first-ever World Cup point after losing every game as hosts in 2022. Reality bit next: a 6-0 thrashing by Canada (a Jonathan David hat-trick), then a 3-1 defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina to end the run.
- MD1: Qatar 1-1 Switzerland
- MD2: Canada 6-0 Qatar
- MD3: Bosnia 3-1 Qatar
- Final table: Switzerland 7, Canada 4, Bosnia 4, Qatar 1
Our take: This shouldn't read as outright failure. A first-ever World Cup point is a symbolic milestone, and exposure to this level is an investment in a talented generation that will return more mature. The real question: will Qatar build a long-term project on it, or settle for "showing up"?
Follow Malaab Al-An for coverage of the Arab nations at the 2026 World Cup and beyond.