Qatar’s African-Born Players Make Their Mark at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Qatar’s 2026 FIFA World Cup squad featured four African-born players Mohammed Muntari, Almoez Ali, Ahmed Fathy and Boualem Khoukh all representing Qatar on football’s biggest stage.

Ghana-born forward Mohammed Muntari, who was born in Kumasi, was included in Qatar’s squad but did not make an appearance during the 2026 tournament. The Al Gharafa striker remains a historic figure for Qatar, having scored the nation’s first-ever FIFA World Cup goal against Senegal in 2022.

Almoez Ali, born in Khartoum, Sudan, represented Qatar as a forward. The Al Duhail striker made one appearance at the 2026 World Cup, coming off the bench against Bosnia and Herzegovina and playing 18 minutes. He finished the tournament without a goal or assist.

Egypt-born midfielder Ahmed Fathy, born in Aswan, was one of Qatar’s regular midfield options. The Al Arabi player featured in all three group-stage matches, making three appearances and playing 150 minutes, with no goals or assists.

Algeria-born defender Boualem Khoukhi was Qatar’s most prominent African-born player at the tournament. The Al Sadd centre-back started all three group matches and played the full 270 minutes. He also scored Qatar’s dramatic stoppage-time equaliser against Switzerland in the opening match.

Qatar finished fourth in Group B with one point after a 1–1 draw with Switzerland, followed by defeats to Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The team scored two goals and conceded 10 across the three matches.

2026 FIFA World Cup Statistics:

Mohammed Muntari: 0 appearances, 0 goals

Almoez Ali: 1 appearance, 18 minutes, 0 goals

Ahmed Fathy: 3 appearances, 150 minutes, 0 goals

Boualem Khoukhi: 3 appearances, 270 minutes, 1 goal

Together, the four players highlight the diverse backgrounds represented within Qatar’s national team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

About Author

Md Nahid Islam

Md. Nahid Islam is a dedicated Bangladeshi sports journalist and photographer currently based in Qatar. With a strong passion for international sports coverage, he has reported on some of the world’s most prestigious events, including the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023, and the FIFA World Cup 2026 AFC Qualifiers. As a Host Country Press Journalist and Non-Rights Holder (NRH), Nahid Islam has gained firsthand experience in high-pressure, fast-paced environments, capturing stories both in writing and through his lens. Nahid Islam is a member of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS).

See author's posts