Doha, June 06 (QNA) - Qatari fans are preparing to provide strong support for the national team as it embarks on its second FIFA World Cup appearance at the 2026 tournament, which will be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19.

Qatar's participation has attracted considerable attention, particularly because it comes through the qualification process this time, following the team's first World Cup appearance in 2022 as the host nation.

Qatar has been drawn in Group B and will open its campaign against Switzerland on June 13 in San Francisco. The team will then travel to Vancouver to face Canada on June 18 before concluding their group-stage matches against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Seattle on June 24.

Qatari supporters are preparing to travel to the United States and Canada after the Qatar Football Association announced that arrangements had been completed for 1,000 fans. Three charter flights will transport supporters from Qatar to the United States on June 9, 10, and 11.

Support for the national team at the World Cup will not be limited to the official fan delegation departing from Doha. It will also include Qatari students and other supporters residing in the United States and Canada. The Qatar Football Association has coordinated with Qatar's cultural attaché office in the United States and the Qatari Embassy in Canada to invite all Qatari students to attend the team's first three group-stage matches.

The fan delegation includes the "Maroon Stand" (Mudaraj Alanabi) initiative, which was launched ahead of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup Qatar and received widespread praise for helping mobilize supporters and encouraging young Qataris to back the national team during the continental championship. The initiative has since expanded to local and international competitions, contributing to the revival of strong fan support for the national side.

The Qatar Football Association has signed a cooperation agreement with the Social and Sport Contribution Fund (DAAM) to finance the national team supporters' delegation for the 2026 World Cup.

Under the agreement, the fund will provide the financial support necessary for the association to implement a comprehensive travel program for fans traveling from Qatar to the United States and Canada. The package includes flight arrangements through Qatar Airways, the tournament's official carrier, as well as hotel accommodations and ground transportation.

QFA has completed all logistical arrangements for the supporters' delegation, including air travel from San Francisco to Vancouver for the team's second match. Twelve hotels have been secured for Qatari fans: five in San Francisco, four in Vancouver and three in Seattle, where Qatar will play Bosnia and Herzegovina in its final group-stage match.

The presence of Qatari supporters is regarded as a key factor in helping the team perform at its best and present a positive image of Qatari football on the global stage, while also reinforcing the country's broader investment in sports.

The backing of Qatari fans builds on the country's successful promotional and fan-engagement experience at major tournaments both at home and abroad, reflected in the strong attendance at national team matches.

Supporters remain committed to providing continuous encouragement to help the team achieve the best possible results and create the conditions for players to perform at their highest level.

Qatari fans hope the national team can deliver a strong showing at the upcoming tournament and that their support will help propel the side deep into a competition featuring many of the world's leading national teams. (QNA)