PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Salah Zakaria Mohamed Mousa Hassan |
| Date of Birth | 24/04/1999 (Age: 27) |
| Place of Birth | Qatar (of Egyptian descent) |
| Nationality | Qatari / Egyptian |
| Height | 1.85 m / 6 ft 1 in |
| Weight | 84 kg |
| Position | Goalkeeper |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | #1 |
| Current Club | Al Duhail SC |
| Previous Clubs | Al-Gharafa, Al-Wakrah |
| International Caps | 7+ |
| International Goals | 0 |
| Major Tournament Appearances | 2023 Asian Cup, 2023 Gold Cup |
| Contract Until | 2026 |
| Market Value | €380K |
The Frozen Moment
The 2020 FIFA Club World Cup in Qatar was meant to be a showcase for the nation’s emerging talents. Salah Zakaria, just 20 years old and representing Al Duhail SC, was handed the start in both of the club’s matches as they hosted the tournament on home soil. He made his mark on the global stage, conceding just two goals across 180 minutes and recording a 60% save percentage.
The tournament ended in a quarter-final defeat, but Zakaria had announced himself to the football world. He had been Qatar’s goalkeeper at the Club World Cup, and the trajectory of his career seemed set for the highest level.
Three years later, Qatar hosted the Asian Cup. Zakaria, now 23, was part of the squad that lifted the trophy on home soil. Yet he played just 18 minutes of football across the entire tournament—a cameo appearance as the team secured their first major international honour. The goalkeeper who had been trusted on the world stage at 20 was now watching from the sidelines as his nation celebrated its greatest triumph.
Origins
Born on April 24, 1999, Salah Zakaria Mohamed Mousa Hassan holds dual Qatari and Egyptian nationality, reflecting his heritage. He emerged through the youth ranks of Qatari football, representing his adopted country at multiple age levels—U19, U20, U23—before breaking into the senior national team.
Zakaria’s professional career began at Al-Gharafa in the Qatar Stars League, where he made seven league appearances. His potential was evident early, and in January 2021, he made the move to Al Duhail SC, one of Qatar’s most successful clubs, joining a squad that included international stars and domestic legends.
The Rise in Qatar
Al-Gharafa (2017-2021):
Zakaria began his senior career at Al-Gharafa, making seven league appearances during his time at the club. His performances caught the attention of Al Duhail, one of the league’s dominant forces.
Al Duhail SC (2021-Present):
Zakaria’s move to Al Duhail in January 2021 marked the beginning of his emergence as a first-choice goalkeeper. In the 2025/26 season, he has been a regular presence in the Qatar Stars League, making 14 appearances and logging 1,260 minutes. His performances have been statistically impressive—he has recorded seven clean sheets in the league this season, ranking joint second among all goalkeepers in the competition. His save percentage stands at 66.7%, having made 32 saves from 48 shots on target and conceding just 16 goals.
In the 2025/26 Amir of Qatar Cup, Zakaria made two appearances, keeping one clean sheet in 180 minutes of action.
Club World Cup Debut (2020):
At just 20 years old, Zakaria was entrusted with the goalkeeper position for Al Duhail at the 2020 FIFA Club World Cup, hosted in Qatar. He started both matches, playing the full 180 minutes and conceding two goals at a rate of 1.00 per 90 minutes. His save percentage of 60% (3 saves from 5 shots on target) was a solid return for a young goalkeeper on the global stage.
The Anatomy of His Game
Salah Zakaria is a modern goalkeeper who combines traditional shot-stopping ability with composure in possession. At 185 cm, he commands his penalty area effectively.
In Possession:
Zakaria’s distribution is reliable, and his preferred right foot allows for accurate passing. His career statistics show a disciplined approach—he rarely contributes directly to goals or assists, with his primary role remaining shot-stopping and organization.
Out of Possession:
Zakaria’s shot-stopping is his defining attribute. In the 2025/26 Qatar Stars League season, he has recorded a 66.7% save percentage from 48 shots on target, conceding 16 goals and keeping seven clean sheets—ranking him joint second in the league for clean sheets. His record in the Amir of Qatar Cup includes one clean sheet in two appearances. In international competitions, his career save percentage stands at 41.7%, with 5 saves from 12 shots on target across five seasons of international play.
Psychological Edge:
Zakaria has demonstrated resilience throughout his career. He was trusted as a starter at the Club World Cup at just 20 years old, and while his path to becoming Qatar’s first-choice goalkeeper has been interrupted, his domestic form in 2026 shows a player ready to compete at the highest level.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2025/26 Season)
| Competition | Apps | Starts | Minutes | Goals Conceded | Clean Sheets | Save% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qatar Stars League | 14 | 14 | 1,260 | 16 | 7 | 66.7% |
| Amir of Qatar Cup | 2 | 2 | 180 | 4 | 1 | — |
| AFC Champions League | 4 | 4 | 390 | — | — | — |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — |
| FIFA World Cup Qualifying | 2 | 1 | 110 | 3 | 1 | 57.1% |
| TOTAL | 22 | 21 | 1,940 | 23 | 9 | — |
TABLE B: Career Overview
| Season(s) | Club | League/Competition | Apps | Clean Sheets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Al Duhail | Club World Cup | 2 | 0 |
| 2020-2021 | Al Gharafa | Qatar Stars League | 7 | — |
| 2021-Present | Al Duhail | Qatar Stars League | 50+ | 20+ |
| — | — | AFC Champions League | 4+ | — |
| — | — | Amir of Qatar Cup | 2+ | 1+ |
| TOTAL | — | — | 65+ | 21+ |
TABLE C: International Record
| Tournament/Competition | Apps | Starts | Minutes | Clean Sheets | Major Honours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Asian Cup | 1 | 0 | 18 | 0 | Champion |
| 2023 Gold Cup | 1 | 1 | 90 | 0 | Quarter-finals |
| 2026 World Cup Qualifying | 2 | 1 | 111 | 1 | — |
| Friendlies (2022-2025) | 3 | 3 | 270 | 1 | — |
| Qatar Senior Career | 7+ | 5 | 489+ | 2 | Asian Cup 2023 |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Club World Cup Appearance | Al Duhail, 2 starts |
| 2021 | Al Duhail Transfer | Move from Al-Gharafa |
| 2023 | Asian Cup Winner | Qatar squad, 18 minutes |
| 2023 | CONCACAF Gold Cup Appearance | Qatar squad, 90 minutes |
| 2025 | World Cup Qualifying Debut | Uzbekistan away |
| 2026 | Consistent Starter | 22 appearances across competitions |
These figures reveal a goalkeeper in his prime with experience across domestic, continental, and international competitions. His 66.7% save percentage in the Qatar Stars League for 2025/26 demonstrates a goalkeeper at the peak of his form.
The Present Tense
The Al Duhail Story:
Salah Zakaria is in his fifth season at Al Duhail SC, where he has established himself as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper. In the 2025/26 season, he has been a regular presence, making 14 Qatar Stars League appearances and playing every minute in his starts. His seven league clean sheets place him joint second among all goalkeepers in the Qatari top flight.
His performances have been consistent—a FotMob rating of 6.66 in the league, with standout displays including a 7.9 rating in a 2-0 away win against Al-Wakrah in January 2026. He has also featured in the Amir of Qatar Cup, the AFC Champions League, and World Cup qualifying matches across the 2025/26 season.
The FIFA Club World Cup Context:
Zakaria’s experience at the 2020 Club World Cup remains a defining moment of his career. While Al Duhail did not qualify for the expanded 32-team 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, Zakaria’s 180 minutes of action on the global stage at just 20 years old marked him as a goalkeeper of significant promise.
The World Cup Campaign:
Qatar will host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, offering Zakaria the opportunity to represent his country on home soil. He featured in World Cup qualifying during the 2025/26 cycle, making two appearances—one start against Uzbekistan in June 2025 (a 0-3 loss where he faced 7 shots, saved 4, and conceded 3) and an appearance from the bench against Kuwait. He recorded one clean sheet in 110 minutes of qualifying action.
His selection for the final World Cup squad remains uncertain, with competition for the goalkeeper position strong in the Qatari national team.
International Record:
Zakaria has earned 7 caps for Qatar since his senior debut, spread across multiple competitions. He was part of the squad that won the 2023 Asian Cup, playing 18 minutes in the tournament. He also featured in the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup, playing the full 90 minutes in a quarter-final defeat. His international career save percentage stands at 41.7% across five seasons.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Salah Zakaria is known for his professionalism and dedication. He holds dual Qatari and Egyptian nationality, reflecting his family’s heritage. His career has been spent entirely in Qatar, progressing from Al-Gharafa to Al Duhail and representing his adopted country at the youth and senior levels.
His market value is estimated at €380,000, with a peak value of €520,000 reached in 2023. His contract with Al Duhail runs until 2026.
Zakaria has been disciplined in his career, accumulating just three yellow cards and one red card across 22 appearances in the 2025/26 season. His 1,260 league minutes demonstrate his importance to the Al Duhail setup.
The Verdict from the Camp
Al Duhail SC:
Zakaria has made 14 league appearances in the 2025/26 season, recording seven clean sheets—joint second among all goalkeepers in the Qatar Stars League.
Statistic:
Zakaria has a 66.7% save percentage in the 2025/26 Qatar Stars League, with 32 saves from 48 shots on target.
Statistic:
Zakaria was part of Qatar’s Asian Cup-winning squad in 2023.
Statistic:
Zakaria played 180 minutes at the 2020 FIFA Club World Cup, conceding two goals with a 60% save percentage.
Statistic:
Zakaria has earned 7 international caps for Qatar across competitions including the Asian Cup, Gold Cup, and World Cup qualifiers.
Where Next?
Salah Zakaria is 27 years old and at the peak of his career. His contract with Al Duhail runs until 2026, and he is currently the club’s first-choice goalkeeper, having recorded seven clean sheets in the 2025/26 Qatar Stars League season.
A move to a European league is a possibility for Zakaria, given his experience at the Club World Cup and his consistent domestic form. With Qatar hosting the 2026 World Cup, he will be eager to secure a place in the final squad and perform on the biggest stage of all.
For Qatar, Zakaria represents both the present and the future. His experience at the Asian Cup, Gold Cup, and Club World Cup, combined with his consistent domestic performances, make him a valuable asset for the national team as they prepare for their home World Cup.
From the youth ranks of Qatari football to the Club World Cup, the Asian Cup, and the brink of a home World Cup, Salah Zakaria’s journey is one of quiet excellence and steady progression. The goalkeeper who was once trusted on the global stage at 20 years old is now ready to take his place at the centre of Qatar’s footballing future.
