Qatar – The Maroon One

World Cup Appearances: 2022 and 2026

Highest Finish: Group stage exit in both appearances

Soccer arrived in Qatar during the 1940s, brought by oil workers from India, neighboring Arab nations, and Britain who organized informal matches on the sandy fields of Dukhan. What began as a pastime among workers quickly captured local interest, leading to the formation of early clubs and the country’s first organized tournaments in the 1950s.

The creation of the Qatar Football Association in 1960 marked the beginning of a national football movement. Over the following decades, Qatar invested heavily in developing players, clubs, and infrastructure, transforming the sport into a source of national identity.

That investment brought historic success. Qatar won the AFC Asian Cup in 2019 and again in 2023, establishing itself as a rising force in Asian football. The national team also captured multiple Gulf Cup and Arab tournament titles, demonstrating its growing influence across the region.