Returning to the Concacaf Gold Cup as a guest team, Qatar is playing in its second consecutive Gold Cup. Last edition, the AFC squad put together a run all the way to the semifinals under manager Felix Sánchez.

Now under the direction of Carlos Queiroz, the team hopes to take another two steps and become the first guest team ever to win the Gold Cup.

Though the roster is based entirely in the Qatari Stars League, there will be plenty of players fans in the Concacaf region recognize after the 2022 FIFA World Cup hosts earned wins over Grenada, Honduras and El Salvador in the previous tournament before falling to the United States.

Almoez Ali returns after scoring four goals at the 2021 Gold Cup, as does fellow attacking star Akram Afif, who scored twice. At the back, GK Meshaal Barsham will lean on his five matches against Concacaf teams at the 2021 tournament for experience, as well stopping players who may bring a different style than the one he’s used to facing in his home confederation.

In addition to the players who stood out last time around, manager Queiroz also may be familiar for his contributions in Concacaf and abroad. Most associated with his time leading national teams in AFC, Queiroz managed the New York/New Jersey MetroStars in the team’s inaugural season.

While happy to be invited, Qatar will look to spoil the occasion for the hosts and the other contenders and return home with a Concacaf trophy in tow.