The Qatar national football team represents the State of Qatar, a peninsula nation on the northeastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula in the Middle East. Qatar competes under the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and has grown from a regional participant into a side capable of competing on the world stage, most notably hosting and appearing in the 2022 FIFA World Cup — the first World Cup held in an Arab nation and in the Middle East — where Qatar made their historic debut in the tournament proper.
Domestically, the sport is supported by the Qatar Stars League, which was founded in 1963 and turned professional in 2008. The league has attracted a succession of globally recognised players through the country's significant financial resources, helping raise the overall standard of football in the region and providing a competitive environment for the national team's player pool.
On the continental stage, Qatar has developed a strong record as hosts and competitors in AFC competitions. The country hosted the AFC Asian Cup in 1988, 2011, and 2023, with the 2019 edition producing a landmark result when Qatar won the tournament for the first time. Qatar has also hosted numerous other international competitions, including the FIFA Club World Cup and FIFA Arab Cup, reflecting the nation's ambition as a global football destination.
The identity of Qatar football is shaped by its rapid rise, its role as a tournament host of the highest order, and a national programme committed to long-term development. The 2022 World Cup marked a defining moment, cementing Qatar's place in the history of international football.