The naturalised midfielder is included in Qatar’s July camp and will be eligible to be in the October play-offs.

Al Sadd midfielder Guilherme has been included in head coach Julen Lopetegui’s Qatar squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2024 Qualifiers, alongside returning captain Hassan Al-Haydos.

The 34-year-old defensive midfielder made it to the long list announced on Wednesday, which will travel to Austria for a preparatory camp from July 11 to 27 ahead of the crucial play-off matches in October.

Lopetegui’s side will play two friendlies during the camp, with the opponents yet to be announced.

Guilherme, 34, will become the latest naturalised player to represent Al Annabi, following the likes of Edmilson Junior and Lucas Mendes in recent years.

The Brazil-born midfielder arrived at Al Sadd in 2020 from Greek side Olympiacos, following stints at Spanish side Deportiva La Coruna, Italy’s Udinese and the likes of Portuguesa and Corinthians in his native country.

Guilherme will have spent five years in Qatar by the time the play-off matches are held in October and has never represented any other nation so far, permitting him to be in Lopetegui’s shortlist as per FIFA’s eligibility rules.

“It’s a pleasure,” he wrote in his Instagram story, sharing the squad announcement. He had also extended his contract with Al Sadd until 2026 just a couple of weeks earlier.

Qatar’s squad for the Austria camp includes regular core members such as Akram Afif, Almoez Ali, Pedro Miguel and Meshaal Barsham among others, whereas Mendes misses out due to injury and is replaced by Youssef Aymen.

Qatar’s World Cup aspirations

The midfielder’s inclusion will be a boost in Qatar’s World Cup hopes, alongside Al-Haydos’ return as they try to salvage a place in next year’s competition after failing to do so via direct route.

After a faltering start to the campaign, the reigning Asian Champions managed to finish third in their group, outside of the automatic qualification spots.

Qatar will now have to play two ties and top their play-off group in the fourth round of qualifiers to punch tickets to the U.S., Mexico and Canada. Qatar will get to know their opponents following the draw on July 17.

The likes of Indonesia, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and United Arab Emirates are in contention for the two direct spots. Group runners-up will then compete in a single-fifth round match for a spot in the intercontinental play-off.

Set to be the hosts in October alongside Saudi Arabia, Qatar will look to leave their third round woes behind and capitalise on the seemingly promising start under Lopetegui to qualify for their first World Cup on merit.

Qatar defeated Group A toppers Iran 1-0 in Lopetegui’s first game in-charge at home, before succumbing 3-0 away at Uzbekistan, who had already qualified for their maiden World Cup.

Lopetegui signed a two-year agreement with the Qatar Football Association in May with the foremost priority being a spot in next year’s tournament.

“We know that we’re taking over at a difficult time, and we know we’re going to have to pull off something spectacular to qualify for the World Cup,” Lopetegui said in an interview with FIFA+ in June.

“Qatar has never qualified for a World Cup through the qualifiers before, and it’s a dream we’re determined to fight for. It’s within touching distance.”

Qatar’s 30-man squad for Austria camp

Goalkeepers

Meshaal Barsham (Al Sadd), Salah Zakaria (Al Duhail), Shehab Ellethy (Al Duhail), Marwan Sherif (Al Ahli).

Defenders

Ahmed Suhail (Al Sadd), Boualem Khoukhi (Al Sadd), Tareq Salman (Al Sadd), Hazem Ahmed (Al Rayyan), Pedro Miguel (Al Sadd), Abdullah Youssef (Al Gharafa), Homam Ahmed (Al Duhail), Youssef Aymen (Al Duhail), Abdullah Al-Yazidi (Al Sadd).

Midfielders

Ahmed Fathy (Al Arabi), Jassem Jaber (Al Arabi), Karim Boudiaf (Al Duhail), Abdulaziz Hatem (Al Rayyan), Asim Madibo (Al Gharafa), Mostafa Mashal (Al Sadd), Mohammed Al-Mannai (Al Shamal), Guilherme (Al Sadd).

Forwards

Akram Afif (Al Sadd), Ahmed Al-Rawi (Al Rayyan), Ahmed Al-Ganehi (Al Gharafa), Almoez Ali (Al Duhail), Ismail Mohamad (Al Duhail), Mohammed Muntari (Al Gharafa), Edmilson Junior (Al Duhail), Yusuf Abdurisag (Al Sadd), Hassan Al-Haydos (Al Sadd).