Qatar ready for Afghanistan game, look to maintain winning momentum

Doha: A new look Qatar side will take on Afghanistan in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 and FIFA World Cup 2026 joint qualifiers, with coach Marquez Lopez expe...

Doha: A new-look Qatar side will take on Afghanistan in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 and FIFA World Cup 2026 joint qualifiers, with coach Marquez Lopez expecting a winning show from his young guns in Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia today.

Following four straight victories in Group A, the Asian champions have already advanced to the third round of World Cup Qualifiers also sealing their place in the next Asian Cup besides securing top spot in the group.

Qatar’s winning streak gave Lopez leverage to test his bench strength as he included many youngsters for the remaining two group matches, also including a home clash against India on June 11.                    

They thrashed Afghanistan 8-1 in November’s first leg with Almoez Ali firing a hat-trick in the big win. But the seasoned striker is not part of the team after being rested along with in-form forward Akram Afif and several other senior players with Lopez’s first-choice goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham, who recently underwent a surgery, also absent from the squad.