Doha, June 02 (QNA) - Twelve players are poised to make their FIFA World Cup debut with Qatar as the national team intensifies preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Qatar, drawn in Group B, will begin its campaign against Switzerland on June 13 in San Francisco, before facing Canada in Vancouver on June 18. The Asian champions will conclude their group-stage fixtures against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Seattle on June 24.

Head coach Julen Lopetegui has placed his trust in a new generation of talent, naming 12 players who were not part of Qatar's historic maiden World Cup appearance at Qatar 2022.

The newcomers include goalkeepers Salah Zakaria and Mohammed Abunada, alongside Ahmed Al Janahi, Ahmed Fathi, Edmilson Junior, Al Hashmi Al Hussein, Ayoub Al Alawi, Tahseen Mohammed, Sultan Al Brake, Issa Laye, Mohammed Manai and Youssef Abdurisag.

Their inclusion highlights Qatar's strategy of blending experienced international players with emerging talent as the team aims to deliver a more competitive performance on football's biggest stage.

Many of these players played influential roles in Qatar's successful qualification campaign, which culminated in securing a World Cup berth through the Asian playoff stage.

Several members of the new generation also contributed to Qatar's triumph at the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, helping the nation retain its continental crown after winning back-to-back Asian titles in 2019 and 2023.

Having gained valuable experience through domestic and continental competitions, the players are expected to provide added depth, energy and versatility to the squad as Qatar seeks to make a stronger impact at the 2026 tournament.

The team is currently holding its final training camp in the United States, following a friendly match against Republic of Ireland on May 28.

Qatar will complete its preparations with one final warm-up match against El Salvador in Los Angeles on June 6 before turning its full focus to the World Cup challenge ahead. (QNA)