World Cup-Bound Qatar Face Ireland Test In Dublin

Doha, Qatar: Qatar will take on Republic of Ireland as part of their preparations ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dublin's Aviva Stadium today, with kick-off scheduled for 9.45pm Qatar time.

The match marks the start of the final phase of Al Annabi's build-up to the global showpiece which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, where Qatar will be making their second successive World Cup appearance.

The friendly match will be the third meeting between Qatar and Ireland.Ireland players attend a training session ahead of the friendly match. PIC: FAI

The sides first met in March 2021 when they played out a 1-1 draw in Hungary before Ireland secured a 4-0 victory in the return fixture at the Aviva Stadium later that year.

Qatar arrived in Dublin with a blend of experience and attacking quality, with coach Julen Lopetegui hoping to assess combinations, sharpen match fitness and fine-tune tactics before a final warm-up match against El Salvador in Los Angeles on June 6.

Qatar's Ahmed Alaaeldin during a training session at Dublin's Aviva Stadium yesterday.

The Irish encounter is also expected to play a key role before FIFA's June 2 deadline for final squad submissions.

Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson acknowledged the challenge posed by Qatar and indicated he will rely on his experienced players for the encounter.

“Given the time we have, more or less, this is the only day we have a proper training with everybody ready and fit. So, we will go for experience tomorrow,” Hallgrímsson said.

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“We'll start with the ones that have been with us before. It gives us then another week to prepare the younger guys for the Canada match.”

“Hopefully, we can give some of them some time on the pitch tomorrow, but given this is a strong opponent going for the World Cup, and I know them quite well, I know we need experience when we play them tomorrow.”

Ireland have traditionally enjoyed success against the Asian opponents, winning nine of their 11 matches against teams from the continent. Their only setbacks came in a 1-0 defeat to Iran in 2001 and a 1-1 draw against Qatar in 2021.

Qatar's Lucas Mendes during a training session at Dublin's Aviva Stadium yesterday.

On home soil, the Irish have won all five matches against Asian opponents by a combined score of 13-0.

Veteran Ireland defender Seamus Coleman also highlighted the youthful nature of the current Irish squad and his role within it.

“I love getting to know them, I love trying to help them in any way,” Coleman said.“These are the lads now that are trying to help keep me young because you're still competing and you're still trying to keep up the pace with them.”

Drawn in Group B, Qatar will begin their World Cup campaign against Switzerland on June 13 at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium before facing co-hosts Canada in Vancouver on June 19. Their final group-stage match will be against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Seattle on June 24.

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