Qatar Schedule for FIFA 2026 World Cup: How to Watch, History & Record
Qatar returns to the FIFA World Cup in 2026 after qualifying on merit rather than hosting privileges. The team secured its place with a decisive 2–1 victory over the United Arab Emirates in October 2025, earning qualification through Asia’s competitive pathway.
The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. With FIFA expanding the competition to 48 teams, Qatar finds itself drawn into Group B alongside Canada, Switzerland, and a European playoff winner to be decided in March 2026.
For supporters in Qatar, viewing times will be demanding. All three group-stage matches take place on the west coast of North America, meaning late-night and early-morning kickoffs at home.
Qatar World Cup 2026 Schedule (Local Time)
Qatar plays all Group B matches on the Pacific coast. Match times below are listed in Arabia Standard Time (Qatar local time).
Match Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Time (Qatar) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, June 13 | Switzerland | 1:00 AM (June 14) | Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, USA |
| Thursday, June 18 | Canada | 5:00 AM (June 19) | BC Place, Vancouver, Canada |
| Wednesday, June 24 | UEFA Playoff Winner | 2:00 AM (June 25) | Lumen Field, Seattle, USA |
The fourth Group B team will be determined through UEFA Playoff A, contested by Italy, Wales, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Northern Ireland in March 2026.
How to Watch the World Cup 2026 in Qatar
beIN Sports holds exclusive broadcasting rights for the FIFA World Cup across Qatar and the wider Middle East. The network will air all 104 matches with coverage available in both Arabic and English.
Viewers can switch between languages using television audio settings. beIN Sports also provides extensive pre-match and post-match analysis, featuring former international players and regional experts. Existing beIN Sports cable or satellite subscriptions include World Cup coverage at no additional cost.
Live Streaming Options for Qatar Fans
The beIN CONNECT app allows fans to stream every World Cup match live on smartphones, tablets, and computers. The app is available on iOS, Android, and web browsers.
Access requires an active beIN Sports subscription. A strong internet connection is recommended for high-quality streams, and mobile data usage may apply when watching away from Wi-Fi. Match replays and highlights are also available on demand.
How to Listen to the World Cup 2026 in Qatar
beIN Sports Radio broadcasts live match commentary in Arabic and can be accessed via traditional radio frequencies or through the beIN Sports app.
Local radio stations in Qatar are also expected to carry coverage, offering an alternative for fans who are unable to watch matches on television. Radio remains a practical option for following games while commuting or during overnight hours.
Qatar World Cup History & Record
Qatar has qualified for two FIFA World Cups: the 2022 tournament as host and the 2026 edition through competitive qualification.
2022 FIFA World Cup Performance
Qatar’s home World Cup in 2022 proved difficult. The team lost all three group-stage matches, scoring one goal and conceding seven.
Ecuador defeated Qatar 2–0 in the opening match. Senegal followed with a 3–1 win, during which Mohammed Muntari scored Qatar’s first-ever World Cup goal. The Netherlands completed the group with a 2–0 victory.
Qatar became the first host nation to lose its opening match, the first host eliminated after two games, and the first host to finish a World Cup with zero points.
2026 World Cup Qualification
Qualification for 2026 marked significant progress. Qatar advanced through Asia’s standard qualification process, topping Group A in the fourth round. The decisive win over the UAE on October 14, 2025, confirmed qualification based on results rather than hosting status.
Continental Success
Despite limited World Cup success, Qatar has been highly competitive at the continental level. The national team won the AFC Asian Cup in both 2019 and 2023.
The 2019 triumph was particularly impressive, as Qatar conceded only one goal throughout the entire tournament and defeated Japan 3–1 in the final. Qatar has also won the Gulf Cup three times (1992, 2004, 2014), including a title on Saudi Arabian soil in 2014.
At youth level, Qatar reached the 1981 FIFA U-20 World Cup final, becoming the first Asian nation to reach a FIFA tournament final. The Olympic team also claimed gold at the 2006 Asian Games.
FIFA currently ranks Qatar around 51st in the world.
Qatar World Cup Predictions and Analysis
Group B presents major challenges for Qatar. Switzerland ranks among the world’s top 20 and has reached the knockout stage in most recent World Cups. Canada benefits from home advantage as co-hosts. The European playoff entrant is widely expected to be Italy, a four-time world champion.
Most analysts predict Qatar will finish fourth in the group. Betting markets list long odds for advancement, reflecting the difficulty of the group.
There are still positives. Back-to-back Asian Cup titles demonstrate Qatar’s ability to perform in tournament settings. The experience gained from hosting the 2022 World Cup adds maturity, and squad continuity remains a strength, with many players developed through the Aspire Academy system.
However, the obstacles are significant. Matches are played far from home, without crowd support, and at challenging times. Many Qatar players compete domestically, while opponents largely feature players from Europe’s top leagues.
The expanded 48-team format offers a small lifeline. Along with the top two teams in each group, the eight best third-place teams advance to the Round of 32. Qatar would likely need at least one win and one draw to have a realistic chance of progressing.
The primary objective for Qatar is to earn their first World Cup points and show tangible improvement from the 2022 tournament.
FAQs
When does Qatar play their first match at the 2026 World Cup?
Qatar opens its tournament against Switzerland on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at 1:00 AM Qatar time (June 14 locally) at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
How many times has Qatar qualified for the FIFA World Cup?
Qatar has qualified twice: as hosts in 2022 and through AFC qualification for the 2026 tournament.
Which channel broadcasts the World Cup 2026 in Qatar?
beIN Sports holds exclusive rights to broadcast all 104 matches in Qatar and across the MENA region, via TV channels and the beIN CONNECT app.
What is the time difference for Qatar’s matches?
Qatar is approximately 10 hours ahead of Pacific Time, where all three group matches will be played. This results in late-night and early-morning kickoffs for viewers in Qatar.
Did Qatar win any matches at the 2022 World Cup?
No. Qatar lost all three group-stage matches in 2022, becoming the first host nation to finish with zero points.
Has Qatar won the AFC Asian Cup?
Yes. Qatar won the AFC Asian Cup in 2019 and successfully defended the title in 2023.
Who are Qatar’s group opponents in 2026?
Qatar is grouped with Canada, Switzerland, and the winner of UEFA Playoff A, which will be decided in March 2026.
Can Qatar advance to the knockout stage?
Advancement is difficult but possible. The top two teams in each group qualify automatically, and the eight best third-place teams also move on under the expanded format.
Qatar enters the 2026 World Cup with renewed credibility after qualifying through competition. Despite challenging kickoff times and strong opposition, the tournament offers a chance to earn their first World Cup points and demonstrate progress on the global stage.
