Qatar

Qatar, the Maroon, transformed themselves into Asian champions and brought the World Cup to the Middle East for the first time. Backed by massive investment in their Aspire Academy and domestic league, the small Gulf nation has rapidly developed its footballing infrastructure and talent.

Qatar hosted the 2022 World Cup, the first ever staged in the Middle East and the Arab world, qualifying automatically as hosts for their tournament debut. On the pitch, however, they endured a chastening campaign, losing all three matches to become the first host nation to lose its opening game and the first to exit winless. Their continental pedigree is far stronger, having won the Asian Cup in 2019 and 2023, and Qatari football continues to build on its landmark hosting moment.