Qatar's FIFA World Cup campaign moved a step closer as Al Annabi arrived in Santa Barbara, California, in the United States ahead of the global football showpiece, which kicks off on June 11.
The delegation was welcomed by Qatar's Ambassador to the United States, HE Sheikh Mishaal bin Hamad al-Thani, who extended his best wishes to the squad.
The tournament will mark Qatar's second consecutive appearance at the World Cup following their historic participation as hosts in 2022. Drawn in Group B, Julen Lopetegui's side will face Switzerland, Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina as they aim to reach the knockout stage for the first time.
Qatar open their campaign against Switzerland at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara on June 13 before meeting co-hosts Canada in Vancouver on June 18. Al Annabi will conclude the group stage against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Seattle on June 24.
The arrival in the United States came shortly after Qatar suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Ireland in an international friendly at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Thursday. Lopetegui, who recently trimmed his squad to 28 players, must now exclude two more members before FIFA's June 1 deadline for the submission of the final 26-man World Cup roster.
Qatar will complete their preparations with a final warm-up match against El Salvador in Los Angeles on June 6 before turning their full attention to the World Cup.
The Qatar team will set up camp in Santa Barbara, California, during the group stage, having chosen Westmont College as its official training site. Nestled in the foothills of Montecito, the campus was selected from FIFA's approved venues and will serve as Al Annabi's base between matches in the opening round.
Training sessions are expected to take place at Westmont's Thorrington Field throughout the group stage, with relocation only if the team advances to the knockout rounds.
