Abdelkarim Hassan returns to Qatar squad for WC qualifiers

DOHA: Qatar Football Association has included Abdelkarim Hassan in the 27-man squad for FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers against Kyrgyzstan and Iran.

The 31-year-old had found himself in hot waters after Qatar’s debacle in the 2022 FIFA World Cup at home. He was handed an indefinite suspension by QFA following an altercation with a fan over social media.

Two-time Asian champions Qatar are fifth in the six-team Group A, with Kyrgyzstan at bottom of the table. Uzbekistan lead the Group A with six points, ahead of Iran on goal difference, followed by the UAE in third place with three points.

In the two matches so far, Qatar lost at home to the United Arab Emirates 1-3, while they were held to a 2-2 draw by North Korea in Laos.