Qatar

Qatar, known as The Maroons, are the reigning two-time AFC Asian Cup champions, having won the continental title in both 2019 and 2023, and made history as the first Middle Eastern nation to host the FIFA World Cup in 2022.

Qatar's football federation was established in 1960, and the national team made its international debut in 1970. Early development was slow; the team built its regional reputation through Gulf Cup competition, securing their first Gulf Cup title in 1992 and reaching a peak FIFA ranking of 53rd in August 1993.

The watershed moment in Qatari football came at the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, where the team produced a stunning tournament run — conceding just one goal across all matches and defeating Japan 3–1 in the final for their first major international championship. Their 2022 World Cup hosting was a proud occasion for the nation, though the team exited in the group stage.

Qatar bounced back immediately, becoming the first team since Japan to retain the AFC Asian Cup title by defeating Jordan 3–1 in the 2023 final. They have since qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where veteran captain Hassan Al-Haydos leads a squad aiming to improve on their 2022 group-stage exit.