Qatar national football team

Mens national football team.

The Qatar national football team (Arabic: منتخب قَطَر لِكُرَّةُ الْقَدَم), nicknamed La Vinotinto (The Maroons), represents Qatar in international football and is governed by the Qatar Football Association (QFA). The team is affiliated with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and plays its home matches at Khalifa International Stadium and Jassim bin Hamad Stadium. Qatar's colors are primarily maroon for home games and white for away matches.

Historically, Qatar has made significant strides in football, winning the Arabian Gulf Cup three times—in 1992, 2004, and 2014. They have also participated in the AFC Asian Cup twelve times, achieving remarkable success by winning the tournament in 2019 and again in 2023. Their 2019 victory was particularly impressive, as they conceded only one goal throughout the entire tournament.

Qatar hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup, marking their first appearance in the tournament. Unfortunately, their campaign was disappointing; they became the first host nation to lose all three group matches, finishing last in their group after losing to Ecuador, Senegal, and the Netherlands. Despite this setback, Qatar's qualification for the World Cup highlighted their growing presence in international football.

The team has developed notable rivalries with neighboring countries, particularly Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. These matches often carry significant emotional weight due to historical tensions and competitive spirit.

Key players include Almoez Ali, who is the all-time top scorer with 59 goals, and Hassan Al-Haydos, who holds the record for most caps at 183 appearances. Under head coach Tintín Márquez, Qatar aims to build on its recent successes while nurturing young talent. As of October 2024, Qatar is ranked 46th in the FIFA World Rankings.