Bahrain Unveils Squad for World Cup Qualifiers
TDT | Manama
Bahrain's national football team has officially named its squad for the next phase of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, and this group has the makings of something special. The announcement, made ahead of a crucial stretch of matches, carries the weight of a nation's dreams—to finally reach the World Cup finals for the first time in history.
The Squad
The 26-man roster, shared by the Bahrain Football Association, is a carefully curated mix of experience and youthful energy, a testament to coach Dragan Talajić's vision for this campaign. Leading the goalkeeping unit are Sayed Mohammed Jaffer and the ever-reliable Ebrahim Lutfalla, whose heroics have kept Bahrain in contention time and again. Defenders like Waleed Al-Hayam, Abdulla Al-Khalasi, and Sayed Baqer form a sturdy backline, with Al-Khalasi already proving his worth by scoring the lone goal in Bahrain's 1-0 upset over Australia in September 2024.
In midfield, names like Komail Al-Aswad and Mohammed Al-Hardan stand out—Al-Aswad's playmaking, with two assists in the third round, has been a bright spot, while Al-Hardan's tenacity anchors the center. Up top, forwards Mahdi Abduljabbar and Abdulla Yusuf bring the firepower, each with two goals in this round, alongside Ali Madan, whose flair on the wing has troubled defenses across Asia. The full squad reads:
Ebrahim Lutfalla
Sayed Mohammed Jaffer
Ammar Ahmed
Hamad Al-Shamsan
Abdulla Al-Khalasi
Ahmed Bughammar
Sayed Baqer
Waleed Al-Hayam
Ali Madan
Komail Al-Aswad
Mahdi Al-Humaidan
Abdulwahab Al-Malood
Mohammed Al-Hardan
Mahdi Abduljabbar
Ahmed Al-Sherooqi
Jasim Al-Shaikh
Abdulla Yusuf
Ali Haram
Mohammed Adel
Ebrahim Al-Khattal
Husain Madan
Mohammed Jameel
Sayed Redha Issa
Hasan Al-Karrani
Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh
Abdulla Al-Awadhi
A Daunting Group C Challenge
Bahrain finds itself in Group C of the third round, a gauntlet that includes Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia, China PR, and Indonesia. With five matches played, Bahrain sits third with 8 points, having secured a gritty away win over Australia (1-0), thanks to a goal from Al-Khalasi, and hard-fought draws against Indonesia (2-2), with Marhoon scoring a brace, and Saudi Arabia (0-0). But losses to Japan (0-5) and China (2-3) have shown the fine margins they're navigating. Japan leads the group with 13 points, followed by Australia (9) and Bahrain (8), while Saudi Arabia (7), China (4), and Indonesia (4) trail. The top two teams will qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup, with third and fourth advancing to further rounds—a tight race that leaves little room for error.
Japan Looms Large
The next test is a formidable one: an away clash against group leaders Japan on March 20. Japan has been ruthless, scoring 18 goals in five matches, and Bahrain will need their defense, led by Al-Hayyam, to hold firm. After that, they host Australia on March 25, a chance to repeat their earlier heroics. There's a hunger in this squad, a belief that they can rewrite history. 'We're ready to fight for every point,' Al-Aswad said recently, a sentiment that echoes through this roster.
A Nation's Hopes on Their Shoulders
Bahrain has never reached the World Cup finals, but with this crop of players—riding the high of a dramatic Gulf Cup win in early January—the dream feels tantalizingly close. The expanded 2026 tournament in the USA, Canada, and Mexico offers more spots for AFC teams, and Bahrain is determined to seize the opportunity. As they prepare for Japan, the nation watches, hoping this squad can finally break through. For locals, this is a story worth following every step of the way.
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