by Craig Laycock
Original article:
Editor's note: Al-Hassan wasn't picked for the 26-man squad. But if you want to see what Qatar are missing out on…
Player Preview - Ibrahim Al-Hassan
Today we’ve picked out Ibrahim Al-Hassan for our scouting treatment. We think this relatively unknown quantity could find himself in the right place at the right time more than once at this tournament.
Position: Box-crashing attacking midfielder who can also play on either wing
Age: 20
Club: Al-Rayyan
International caps: 11
Who the heck is Ibrahim Al-Hassan?
You’re right to ask. He’s a relatively unknown quantity across the football world, but we first spotted him featuring in Qatar’s qualifying campaign, where we were able to scout some real quality and potential. We reckon if he gets minutes he might be one of those players people wonder, “where did he come from”? Cult tournament potential.
What has he done so far?
He’s featured predominantly in the Qatar Stars League, but has also regularly appeared for the national team. At international level he’s scored two goals in his 11 appearances. He’s been elevated to the Asian Football Confederation’s “Future Stars” list following on from his excellent qualifying campaign performance, albeit against opposition not quite as challenging as he can expect to face in the USA this summer.
What’s his style of play?
Consider him a number 10 and a goal-scoring threat. His instincts around the edge of the box are quick. He can also drift into the left wing or right wing roles.
His vertical movement and depth mobility means he's able to get in behind the defensive line. When operating as a 10 he frequently makes late, surging runs into the box, finishing crosses. He's a nightmare to pick up and mark.
He frequently drifts into the half-space corridors between the wing and the centre, giving CBs a headache as they decide whether to hold their line or be dragged out to meet him. He's quick and agile and can turn opponents.
He’s the kind of player who pops up when you least expect him to. The kind of player that causes a nagging feeling of “did I lock the door” whenever defenders step up slightly. He’s predominantly a lithe, quick attacking midfielder with a penchant for finding space on the edge of or just inside the box. He’s a handful because he reads the game very well.
For example, in the qualifier match against Kyrgyzstan, he was subbed on in the 75th minute and scored in the 81st. While Kyrgyzstan were chasing the game and a goal behind, Al-Hassan found unmarked space, received a through ball and smashed a deft shot into the top corner.
What do we think he’ll do at the tournament?
It’s a question mark whether he’s going to find that space at the World Cup, but as Qatar play with a very vertical, quick style it’s entirely possible he will engineer the space on more than one occasion.
You would imagine that his best chance might be on the back of Canada’s organised chaos on the transition, and if Qatar can break there’s potentially a headline waiting.
The Tournament Scout Prediction:
He did injure his ACLin 2025, so there are some unanswered questions about what that recovery process might have done to his pace and confidence. But we’re going to go out on a limb and say that he’ll impress in 2026.
Individual accolades:
Finished 2nd in 2022-2023 with Al-Rayyan in the Qatar Stars League
Asian Football Confederation “Future Star”, 2005
2 international goals
7 min read
Ibrahim Al-Hassan: Qatar's box-crashing bullet
He's here, he's there, he's everywhere
7 min read
Editor's note: Al-Hassan wasn't picked for the 26-man squad. But if you want to see what Qatar are missing out on…
Player Preview - Ibrahim Al-Hassan
Today we’ve picked out Ibrahim Al-Hassan for our scouting treatment. We think this relatively unknown quantity could find himself in the right place at the right time more than once at this tournament.
Position: Box-crashing attacking midfielder who can also play on either wing
Age: 20
Club: Al-Rayyan
International caps: 11
Who the heck is Ibrahim Al-Hassan?
You’re right to ask. He’s a relatively unknown quantity across the football world, but we first spotted him featuring in Qatar’s qualifying campaign, where we were able to scout some real quality and potential. We reckon if he gets minutes he might be one of those players people wonder, “where did he come from”? Cult tournament potential.
What has he done so far?
He’s featured predominantly in the Qatar Stars League, but has also regularly appeared for the national team. At international level he’s scored two goals in his 11 appearances. He’s been elevated to the Asian Football Confederation’s “Future Stars” list following on from his excellent qualifying campaign performance, albeit against opposition not quite as challenging as he can expect to face in the USA this summer.
What’s his style of play?
Consider him a number 10 and a goal-scoring threat. His instincts around the edge of the box are quick. He can also drift into the left wing or right wing roles.
His vertical movement and depth mobility means he's able to get in behind the defensive line. When operating as a 10 he frequently makes late, surging runs into the box, finishing crosses. He's a nightmare to pick up and mark.
He frequently drifts into the half-space corridors between the wing and the centre, giving CBs a headache as they decide whether to hold their line or be dragged out to meet him. He's quick and agile and can turn opponents.
He’s the kind of player who pops up when you least expect him to. The kind of player that causes a nagging feeling of “did I lock the door” whenever defenders step up slightly. He’s predominantly a lithe, quick attacking midfielder with a penchant for finding space on the edge of or just inside the box. He’s a handful because he reads the game very well.
For example, in the qualifier match against Kyrgyzstan, he was subbed on in the 75th minute and scored in the 81st. While Kyrgyzstan were chasing the game and a goal behind, Al-Hassan found unmarked space, received a through ball and smashed a deft shot into the top corner.
What do we think he’ll do at the tournament?
It’s a question mark whether he’s going to find that space at the World Cup, but as Qatar play with a very vertical, quick style it’s entirely possible he will engineer the space on more than one occasion.
You would imagine that his best chance might be on the back of Canada’s organised chaos on the transition, and if Qatar can break there’s potentially a headline waiting.
The Tournament Scout Prediction:
He did injure his ACLin 2025, so there are some unanswered questions about what that recovery process might have done to his pace and confidence. But we’re going to go out on a limb and say that he’ll impress in 2026.
Individual accolades:
Finished 2nd in 2022-2023 with Al-Rayyan in the Qatar Stars League
Asian Football Confederation “Future Star”, 2005
2 international goals
Ibrahim Al-Hassan: Qatar's box-crashing bullet
He's here, he's there, he's everywhere
Original article:
Last updated:
Editor's note: Al-Hassan wasn't picked for the 26-man squad. But if you want to see what Qatar are missing out on…
Player Preview - Ibrahim Al-Hassan
Today we’ve picked out Ibrahim Al-Hassan for our scouting treatment. We think this relatively unknown quantity could find himself in the right place at the right time more than once at this tournament.
Position: Box-crashing attacking midfielder who can also play on either wing
Age: 20
Club: Al-Rayyan
International caps: 11
Who the heck is Ibrahim Al-Hassan?
You’re right to ask. He’s a relatively unknown quantity across the football world, but we first spotted him featuring in Qatar’s qualifying campaign, where we were able to scout some real quality and potential. We reckon if he gets minutes he might be one of those players people wonder, “where did he come from”? Cult tournament potential.
What has he done so far?
He’s featured predominantly in the Qatar Stars League, but has also regularly appeared for the national team. At international level he’s scored two goals in his 11 appearances. He’s been elevated to the Asian Football Confederation’s “Future Stars” list following on from his excellent qualifying campaign performance, albeit against opposition not quite as challenging as he can expect to face in the USA this summer.
What’s his style of play?
Consider him a number 10 and a goal-scoring threat. His instincts around the edge of the box are quick. He can also drift into the left wing or right wing roles.
His vertical movement and depth mobility means he's able to get in behind the defensive line. When operating as a 10 he frequently makes late, surging runs into the box, finishing crosses. He's a nightmare to pick up and mark.
He frequently drifts into the half-space corridors between the wing and the centre, giving CBs a headache as they decide whether to hold their line or be dragged out to meet him. He's quick and agile and can turn opponents.
He’s the kind of player who pops up when you least expect him to. The kind of player that causes a nagging feeling of “did I lock the door” whenever defenders step up slightly. He’s predominantly a lithe, quick attacking midfielder with a penchant for finding space on the edge of or just inside the box. He’s a handful because he reads the game very well.
For example, in the qualifier match against Kyrgyzstan, he was subbed on in the 75th minute and scored in the 81st. While Kyrgyzstan were chasing the game and a goal behind, Al-Hassan found unmarked space, received a through ball and smashed a deft shot into the top corner.
What do we think he’ll do at the tournament?
It’s a question mark whether he’s going to find that space at the World Cup, but as Qatar play with a very vertical, quick style it’s entirely possible he will engineer the space on more than one occasion.
You would imagine that his best chance might be on the back of Canada’s organised chaos on the transition, and if Qatar can break there’s potentially a headline waiting.
The Tournament Scout Prediction:
He did injure his ACLin 2025, so there are some unanswered questions about what that recovery process might have done to his pace and confidence. But we’re going to go out on a limb and say that he’ll impress in 2026.
Individual accolades:
Finished 2nd in 2022-2023 with Al-Rayyan in the Qatar Stars League
Asian Football Confederation “Future Star”, 2005
2 international goals
7 min read
Ibrahim Al-Hassan: Qatar's box-crashing bullet
He's here, he's there, he's everywhere
Editor's note: Al-Hassan wasn't picked for the 26-man squad. But if you want to see what Qatar are missing out on…
Player Preview - Ibrahim Al-Hassan
Today we’ve picked out Ibrahim Al-Hassan for our scouting treatment. We think this relatively unknown quantity could find himself in the right place at the right time more than once at this tournament.
Position: Box-crashing attacking midfielder who can also play on either wing
Age: 20
Club: Al-Rayyan
International caps: 11
Who the heck is Ibrahim Al-Hassan?
You’re right to ask. He’s a relatively unknown quantity across the football world, but we first spotted him featuring in Qatar’s qualifying campaign, where we were able to scout some real quality and potential. We reckon if he gets minutes he might be one of those players people wonder, “where did he come from”? Cult tournament potential.
What has he done so far?
He’s featured predominantly in the Qatar Stars League, but has also regularly appeared for the national team. At international level he’s scored two goals in his 11 appearances. He’s been elevated to the Asian Football Confederation’s “Future Stars” list following on from his excellent qualifying campaign performance, albeit against opposition not quite as challenging as he can expect to face in the USA this summer.
What’s his style of play?
Consider him a number 10 and a goal-scoring threat. His instincts around the edge of the box are quick. He can also drift into the left wing or right wing roles.
His vertical movement and depth mobility means he's able to get in behind the defensive line. When operating as a 10 he frequently makes late, surging runs into the box, finishing crosses. He's a nightmare to pick up and mark.
He frequently drifts into the half-space corridors between the wing and the centre, giving CBs a headache as they decide whether to hold their line or be dragged out to meet him. He's quick and agile and can turn opponents.
He’s the kind of player who pops up when you least expect him to. The kind of player that causes a nagging feeling of “did I lock the door” whenever defenders step up slightly. He’s predominantly a lithe, quick attacking midfielder with a penchant for finding space on the edge of or just inside the box. He’s a handful because he reads the game very well.
For example, in the qualifier match against Kyrgyzstan, he was subbed on in the 75th minute and scored in the 81st. While Kyrgyzstan were chasing the game and a goal behind, Al-Hassan found unmarked space, received a through ball and smashed a deft shot into the top corner.
What do we think he’ll do at the tournament?
It’s a question mark whether he’s going to find that space at the World Cup, but as Qatar play with a very vertical, quick style it’s entirely possible he will engineer the space on more than one occasion.
You would imagine that his best chance might be on the back of Canada’s organised chaos on the transition, and if Qatar can break there’s potentially a headline waiting.
The Tournament Scout Prediction:
He did injure his ACLin 2025, so there are some unanswered questions about what that recovery process might have done to his pace and confidence. But we’re going to go out on a limb and say that he’ll impress in 2026.
Individual accolades:
Finished 2nd in 2022-2023 with Al-Rayyan in the Qatar Stars League
Asian Football Confederation “Future Star”, 2005
2 international goals
7 min read