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U-20 National Team

Throughout its history in the AFC U20 Asian Cup, Qatar’s young talents have consistently shone, claiming their first continental title in 2014 (hosted by Myanmar) with a 10 victory over North Korea in the final. The team also reached the semifinals in 2018 (hosted by Indonesia).  

Before these achievements, Qatar had already established itself as a strong contender:  
*  Runnersup in 1980  
*  Third place in 1988  
* Fourth place in 1986 and 1990  

/FIRST APPEARANCE

1981

Qatar made its firstever FIFA U20 World Cup appearance in 1981 (Australia), delivering a sensational run to the final.  
 Group Stage:  
 10 win over Poland  
 11 draw with USA  
 01 loss to Uruguay (both advanced)  
 Quarterfinals: 32 victory over Brazil  
 Semifinals: 21 win against England  
 Final: Lost 04 to West Germany on a waterlogged pitch, which disadvantaged Qatar’s players. Despite the defeat, this silver medal remains one of Qatar’s greatest youth football achievements.  

1995

Qatar made its second U20 World Cup appearance as an emergency host in 1995. Originally scheduled in Nigeria, the tournament was relocated to Qatar just 20 days before kickoff due to a meningitis outbreak in West Africa. This showcased Qatar’s exceptional organizational readiness.  

2014

Qatar won its first AFC U19 Championship in 2014 (Myanmar):  
 Unbeaten in the group stage  
 Defeated China & hosts Myanmar in the knockout rounds  
 Final: 10 win over North Korea (Akram Afif’s secondhalf goal secured the trophy)  

2015

 2015 (New Zealand):  
Group Stage: Drawn with Colombia, Senegal, and Portugal (third appearance).  

2018 - 2019

2018 (Indonesia):  
 Reached the AFC U19 semifinals, qualifying for the 2019 FIFA U20 World Cup (Poland)—Qatar’s fourth World Cup participation.  

1981

1995

2014

2015

2018 - 2019

/OUR COACH

Emanuel Infante Mesquita

- Full Name: Emanuel Infante Mesquita  
- Date of Birth: May 19, 1984  
- Place of Birth: Fundão, Portugal  

Emanuel Mesquita brings extensive youth development expertise to his role as head coach of Qatar's U-20 national team.  

 Coaching Background  
- Assistant Coach under Portuguese manager Bruno Miguel during his tenure at Al-Sadd SC.  
- Assistant Coach for Qatar’s Olympic (U-23) national team.  
- Youth Coaching Experience: Held various coaching roles at Portuguese clubs, specializing in youth development—both as a head coach and assistant.  

With his proven track record in nurturing young talent, Mesquita is tasked with guiding Qatar’s next generation of stars to success on the continental and global stage.

TEAM'S ACHIEVEMENTS

highlights the milestones and successes attained by the team or organization over time. It showcases the dedication, hard work, and talent that have led to various victories, titles, and recognition in the football world. These achievements represent the growth and legacy of the team, reflecting the collective effort to excel and compete at the highest levels.

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AFC U19 Championship

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