Qatar will play Kuwait today in the preliminary joint qualifying round for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Double Asian champions Qatar is scheduled to play twice against Kuwait over the course of six days in the preliminary joint qualifying round for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia. The opening match of their doubleheader will take place today at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha between Qatar and Kuwait. On March 26, they will depart for Kuwait to play the rematch.

Wins throughout the course of the two matches will help Qatar guarantee their spot in the competition's next stage of qualifying. Following their successful title defence in the AFC Asian Cup last month, Marquez Lopez's team is expected to start as clear favourites.

With six points, Qatar leads Group A by three points and is projected to easily defeat Kuwait (three), who is in second place, to secure their early berth. Following his recent announcement of his retirement from international competition, 33-year-old Hassan Al Haydos will lead the Qatari team onto the pitch when they play Kuwait. 

Al Haydos captained Qatar at the 2019 and 2023 AFC Asian Cups, as well as the country's inaugural 2022 FIFA World Cup appearance. Al Haydos played in a record 183 matches for Qatar.