Qatar & Bahrain Draw 2-2 In Friendly Ahead Of World Cup Qualifiers

Post by : Mumtaaz Qadiri

Qatar’s national football team played a friendly match against Bahrain on Tuesday at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha. The game ended in a 2–2 draw. This match was part of Qatar’s preparations for the upcoming fourth round of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

A Closed-Door Game

The game was unusual because it was played behind closed doors. Neither media nor spectators were allowed to attend. This decision was made by Qatar’s head coach, Julen Lopetegui. By keeping the game private, the coach wanted to focus fully on the team’s tactics without outside distractions.

Goals For Qatar

Two players scored for Qatar during the match. Mohammed Muntari scored one goal, showing his experience and importance as a striker. Ahmed Alaa also scored, giving the team another boost in attack. These goals gave the team confidence, even though the match ended in a draw.

Why This Match Matters

Although it was only a friendly, the match against Bahrain was very important. Qatar is getting ready for some of the toughest games in the Asian qualifiers. Playing friendlies helps the players test strategies, build teamwork, and stay match-ready.

Next Test Against Russia

Qatar will not stop with just one friendly. The team is set to play another warm-up game, this time against Russia, on September 7. The match will take place at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium. This will be Qatar’s last test before moving into the playoff stage of the qualifiers.

Playoff Group Draw

The playoff draw has already been announced. Qatar will compete in Group A, which also includes the UAE and Oman. Meanwhile, Group B has Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Indonesia. These groups will decide which teams can continue their World Cup dream.

Host Nations For Groups

Both Qatar and Saudi Arabia will host the group matches. Qatar will host Group A, while Saudi Arabia will host Group B. The games will be played in a single round-robin format, meaning every team in the group will play once against the other two.

Dates Of The Matches

The group stage matches are scheduled between October 8 and 14. This short period will decide which teams will move forward. Because the games are so close together, players need to be in top physical condition to perform well.

Direct Qualification

According to the rules, only the team that finishes first in each group will qualify directly for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This makes every match extremely important. Just one mistake could cost a team its chance at automatic qualification.

The Playoff For Runners-Up

The teams that finish in second place in each group will not qualify directly. Instead, they will face each other in a two-legged playoff match. These games will be played on November 13 and November 18. The winner will then move on to the intercontinental playoff for another chance at reaching the World Cup.

Qatar’s World Cup Ambitions

Qatar is determined to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. After hosting the 2022 World Cup, the team wants to prove it can also earn its place through the qualifiers.

Coach Julen Lopetegui’s Plans

Head coach Julen Lopetegui has been working on rebuilding the team and focusing on strong defensive and attacking tactics. His decision to keep the Bahrain match closed shows his commitment to preparing in private and avoiding extra pressure on the players.

Testing New Strategies

The friendly match gave Lopetegui the chance to test new line-ups and formations. It also allowed him to see how players adapt to different styles of play. The coach wants the team to be flexible so they can face different opponents with confidence.

Building Team Spirit

These friendly matches are also important for building team spirit. Playing together helps players understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses. The goals by Muntari and Alaa are good signs that the team’s attack is working well.

Focus On Fitness

Qatar’s players also used the match to improve their match fitness. Since the qualifiers will be played over a short time, being physically fit will be very important. Coaches are making sure players can handle the pressure of playing many tough games in a short period.

Bahrain’s Challenge

Although Qatar managed to score twice, Bahrain also showed strong performance, scoring two goals of their own. This shows that Qatar still has areas to improve, especially in defense. Lopetegui will likely focus on strengthening the backline in training.

The most important part of Qatar’s journey is still ahead. The October qualifiers will decide whether the team qualifies directly or has to fight in the playoff. For this reason, every preparation match, like the ones against Bahrain and Russia, plays a huge role.

Support From Fans

Even though the Bahrain game was closed to fans, Qatar’s football supporters remain excited. They are looking forward to October, when they can cheer for their national team in the qualifiers. The players will depend on this support to push them forward.

The road to the 2026 World Cup is not easy, but Qatar is taking steady steps. Drawing 2-2 with Bahrain may not have been a win, but it gave the team valuable lessons. With one more warm-up against Russia, the team will be ready for the big challenge ahead.

Qatar Bahrain friendly, World Cup qualifiers, Asian playoff draw, Qatar football preparations