DOHA: Spanish coach Marquez Lopez on Wednesday announced Qatar’s 27-man squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Kyrgyzstan and Iran. These matches are critical Group 1 fixtures in the third stage of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Uzbekistan currently leads the group with six points from two matches, with Iran trailing on goal difference. The UAE holds third place with three points, while North Korea and Qatar each have one point. Kyrgyzstan has yet to register a point in the group. The roster includes a mix of experienced players and rising talents. The goalkeepers named are Saad Al-Sheeb, Salah Zakaria, Mishaal Barsham, and Marwan Sharif. In defense, the squad features Ismail Mohammed, Bassam Al-Rawi, Tariq Salman, Boualem Khoukhi, Sultan Al-Brake, Mohammed Ayash, Abdullah Al-Yazidi, Lucas Mendes, Abdul Karim Hassan, and Al-Mahdi Ali. In midfield, Lopez has called up Ahmed Fathi, Ibrahim Al-Hassan, Jassim Jaber, Mohammed Waad, Abdulaziz Hatem, and Naif Al-Hadrami. The forward line will be led by star players Akram Afif, Almoez Ali, and Ahmed Alaa, with Edmilson Junior, Abdulrahman Mustafa, Youssef Abdulrazzaq, and Ahmed Al-Ganehi rounding out the attacking options.