Hassan Al-Haydos

World Cup 2026 Analysis

Hassan Al-Haydos, the veteran captain of the Qatar national football team, is set to feature in the FIFA World Cup 2026, marking a significant return to international football after a brief retirement. His experience and leadership are expected to be crucial for Qatar as they aim to improve on their previous World Cup performance.

Return to the National Team and 2026 World Cup Qualification:

Al-Haydos, born on December 11, 1990, initially announced his retirement from international football on March 16, 2024, following Qatar's back-to-back AFC Asian Cup victories in 2019 and 2023. However, he reversed his decision in 2025, rejoining the national squad at the behest of new coach Julen Lopetegui for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. His return proved instrumental as Qatar secured direct qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026, defeating the United Arab Emirates 2-1 on October 14, 2025. This achievement is particularly noteworthy as it marks Qatar's first qualification for the World Cup through the standard Asian qualification process, having participated in 2022 as the host nation.

Prospects and Analysis for FIFA World Cup 2026:

As of late 2025, Al-Haydos is 35 years old. He holds the record as Qatar's most-capped player with 184 appearances and has scored 41 international goals. His continued presence in the squad under coach Lopetegui, alongside other key players like Akram Afif and Almoez Ali, underscores his enduring value to the team. Al-Haydos is known for his calm leadership and extensive experience in major tournaments. His role is likely to be that of an experienced forward and attacking midfielder, providing crucial guidance and offensive contributions.

Qatar has been drawn into Group B for the FIFA World Cup 2026. They will face Canada, Switzerland, and the winner of European Play-Off A, which could be Italy, Northern Ireland, Wales, or Bosnia and Herzegovina. Al-Haydos has expressed optimism about Qatar's prospects, stating his confidence in the team's ability to perform well and achieve better results than their 2022 World Cup campaign. The team's preparation will involve varied training ahead of the tournament, with a focus on high-level readiness.

Latest News:

Following Qatar's successful qualification for the 2026 World Cup, Hassan Al-Haydos pledged to fund the construction of a school and a sports hall in Gaza. This humanitarian gesture was announced as a way to link the team's sporting triumph with broader social responsibility and aid in post-conflict reconstruction efforts.