- 12:05
With a reshuffled squad and without its expatriates, the Lebanese national team will face Qatar this Sunday at 6:30 PM (Beirut time) at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha. A prestigious friendly match, designed to measure the depth of the local base, two months before the resumption of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.
Deprived of their expatriate key players, who were kept by their clubs, Miodrag Radulović’s men will have to reinvent themselves against the reigning Asian champion. Outside the FIFA calendar, this meeting offers another chance for home-based players to shine, while also integrating fresh faces into the rotation. Several of them will even experience their first international cap with Lebanon.
For “Rado,” the objective is twofold: prepare for October’s match against Yemen and broaden his offensive and defensive options. The coach wants to test the mental and physical resistance of his squad in a hostile environment, facing an elite opponent.
A New Wave and Key Absences
It’s a golden opportunity for several local players to prove themselves, but the Lebanese team will have to cope without some essential pieces. Central defender Kassem Zein, injured in the jaw during training with Al-Ansar, is out. Another challenge: compensating for the absences of major expatriates tied up at their clubs, while managing a youthful group where chemistry still needs to be built.
In this context, attention will turn to the newcomers from Australia: right-back Khoder Kaddour and attacking midfielder Rami Najjarine. After a grueling 14-hour journey, they immediately joined the group and trained at Qatar University’s facilities, despite the scorching heat and high humidity levels in Doha in recent days.
A Full-Scale Test Against Qatar
Qatar, for its part, is not taking this clash lightly. Managed by Julen Lopetegui, former Spain national team coach and ex-Real Madrid manager, Qatar is deep in preparation for the decisive phase of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. After an intense training camp in Austria, the Qataris recently played two contrasting friendlies: a 2-0 win against Metalist Kharkiv and a 3-0 loss to Udinese.
The Asian champions are targeting consistency, relying on a solid group where international players, already in rhythm with their clubs, display excellent physical and technical form. For Lebanon, the mission is simple: resist, learn, progress.
A Springboard for the Future
Whatever happens on Sunday, this duel against Qatar should serve as a reality check for the Lebanese national team. More than the result, Radulović is seeking certainty: testing automatisms, assessing youngsters and measuring the form of locally-based players. A full-scale rehearsal before entering the crunch time of the Asian qualifiers.
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