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With just over six months before their 2026 FIFA World Cup opener, Qatar find themselves back at the drawing board. Julen Lopetegui’s side crashed out of the Arab Cup group stage on Sunday after a 0-3 drubbing by ten-man Tunisia at Al Bayt Stadium, completing a winless campaign that also included a shock loss to Palestine and a draw against Syria. The early exit – Qatar finished bottom of Group A with just one point, scoring only once and conceding five – has stalled momentum at a critical stage of the Asian champions’ preparation cycle for next year’s global showpiece, which will be co-hosted by US, Canada and Mexico. The performances were a sharp contrast to the optimism generated two months ago when Qatar secured historic World Cup qualification – their first achieved on merit, having made their debut as hosts in 2022. Instead, the Arab Cup produced one of Al Annabi’s weakest showings in recent regional competitions, raising questions about tactical identity, squad balance and Lopetegui’s decision-making. **media[391519]** Qatar were below par against teams ranked well beneath them. While Al Annabi sit 51st in the world – buoyed by their back-to-back Asian Cup triumphs – they fell 0-1 to a spirited Palestine side ranked 96th, struggling to create chances and showing little midfield control. A 1-1 draw with 87th-ranked Syria did little to ease pressure, and World Cup-bound Tunisia – who were also eliminated – exposed Qatar’s lack of structure and confidence in a dominant 3–0 win. The shortcomings were systemic: defensive lapses, limited attacking ideas and a clear disconnect between the lines. Qatar’s long-standing reliance on Akram Afif, who continues to shoulder creative and scoring responsibility in the absence of the injured Almoez Ali, again left the team predictable. When Afif is contained, the attack often fades, a problem repeatedly highlighted throughout the tournament. If Lopetegui intended to experiment, he might have been better served resting Afif entirely and using the opportunity to blood emerging options such as 24-year-old Al Sailiya winger Khaled Ali. Lopetegui made five further changes for the Tunisia match in another major reshuffle, but the adjustments brought little improvement. Even after Tunisia were reduced to ten men, Qatar conceded a late third, which left the home fans in frustration. Lopetegui under pressureThe Spanish coach cut an increasingly agitated figure on the touchline and in press conferences, particularly after the draw against Syria left Qatar on the brink of elimination. His irritation contrasted sharply with Saudi Arabia’s Herve Renard, who briefly left Qatar to attend the World Cup draw in Washington before returning to guide his side to the quarter-finals. “We did not perform at the required level,” Lopetegui admitted after the Tunisia defeat. “We made many mistakes, both individually and collectively. We were hoping to qualify, especially with the great fan support, but the performance was not enough.” Still, the coach pointed to Qatar’s historic qualification for the 2026 World Cup as evidence of progress. “From the moment I arrived, we achieved something incredible – something that had never happened in the country’s history. We were very proud and very happy,” he said. Lopetegui also defended his decision to introduce several new players due to injuries and long-term planning. “We added many new players to the squad for different reasons – injuries, choices, and to open opportunities for young players. This is important for the future of the national team. But at the same time, we must continue competing well,” he said. But the Arab Cup exposed the risks of those choices. Key veterans – including Boualem Khoukhi, Karim Boudiaf and Pedro Miguel – were left out, while midfield anchor Assim Madibo was ruled out through injury. Without their experience, Qatar looked disjointed. World Cup opponents already targeting Qatar The World Cup draw adds further urgency to Qatar’s situation. Al Annabi will face co-hosts Canada, Switzerland and potentially Italy – the four-time world champions – who must navigate a playoff path involving Northern Ireland, Wales and Bosnia and Herzegovina. With a squad comprised entirely of players from Qatari clubs, Qatar remain something of an unknown quantity for many. Following the draw, Canada’s coach Jesse Marsch described Qatar as “a challenging but winnable opponent,” emphasising the need for detailed analysis. “We’ll spend a heavy amount of preparation on Switzerland and Qatar,” he said. Marsch even took advantage of a rare chance to scout a World Cup opponent live, attending Qatar’s defeat to Tunisia at Al Bayt Stadium on Sunday. “You don’t get too many chances to watch your opponents live before a World Cup,” he said before travelling. “I am flying to Qatar to watch them against Tunisia ... so I’ll be sitting in coach on the flight, and if anyone wants to join me, I’ll be there to watch Qatar.” Switzerland coach Murat Yakin called the group “attractive and manageable” but admitted Qatar are difficult to assess due to their fluctuating performances and Lopetegui’s evolving squad. For Qatar, the Arab Cup was meant to be a timely gauge of readiness before facing higher-ranked opposition on the global stage. Instead, it revealed deep concerns: a lack of identity, cohesion and leadership, all that requires rapid correction. Lopetegui has stressed the need for a thorough internal review. “This Arab Cup revealed aspects that must be corrected,” he said. In 2022, Qatar lost all three matches at their home World Cup, exiting in ignominy. Lopetegui and his squad must ensure they do not repeat the same fate six months from now in North America. 

Qatar’s match schedule for the FIFA World Cup 2026 has been officially confirmed by FIFA, 24 hours after the 12 groups were revealed at the draw ceremony in Washington.Placed in Group B, Qatar will open their campaign on June 13 at 3pm (June 14 at 1am in Qatar) against Switzerland at the 68,500-seater Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The Maroons then face co-hosts Canada in Vancouver on June 18 at 6pm (June 19 at 5am in Qatar). Julen Lopetegui’s side will conclude their group stage at Lumen Field in Seattle on June 24 at 3pm (June 25 at 2am in Qatar), taking on the winner of European Play-Off A, which features Italy, Northern Ireland, Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina. The biggest-ever edition of the global showpiece will feature 104 matches involving 48 teams across 16 host cities in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

According to the procedures officially announced by FIFA, the draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026 finals will begin by placing the 12 teams from each of the four pots into separate containers.The three host nations will be placed in Pot 1, while the four pots for the teams that qualified through the European play-offs and the two pots for the teams that qualified through the intercontinental play-offs will be placed in Pot 4, ensuring a balanced distribution of teams during the draw.The draw ceremony is scheduled to begin with all the teams from Pot 1 being drawn to groups A to L. The remaining teams will then be drawn from Pots B through D.FIFA has imposed specific restrictions on the World Cup 2026 draw process. The three host nations will first be designated with different colored balls to ensure a predetermined selection process: the green ball will represent Mexico, placing them at the top of Group A; the red ball will represent Canada, placing them at the top of Group B; and the blue ball will represent the United States, placing them at the top of Group C.As for the remaining nine teams in the pot 1, they will be allocated balls of the same color, and each team will be placed at the top of the group that will be determined by the draw, thus ensuring an organized and balanced distribution.In this context, FIFA was keen to avoid the two highest-ranked teams (Spain, ranked first, and Argentina, ranked second) facing each other before the final (in the event that they topped their groups in the first round), by placing them in two separate paths leading to the semi-finals, in order to maintain a balance in the distribution of teams. The same will apply to both (France, ranked third) and (England, ranked fourth), where the two paths will be chosen randomly, in an effort to avoid the best-ranked teams facing each other early on.As for Pots 2, 3, and 4, each team's position within its group will be determined according to the draw procedure. This ensures that each team's position within its group is determined based on the pot from which it was drawn and the group it was placed in.FIFA will apply the principle of no more than one team from the same confederation being in the same group. This applies to all confederations except UEFA, which has 16 teams participating in the tournament. Since this number of teams cannot be distributed across the 12 groups, no more than two European teams can be in any one group.The implementation of the principle of separation means that no more than one team from the same continental federation should be in one group, by applying the continental federations’ restriction to the three teams that will compete within each of the two paths related to the two seats allocated for the global play-off in Pot 4.FIFA had set Dec. 6 as the date for announcing the details of the group stage matches, in order to achieve the best possible conditions for all teams, and to enable fans in different countries around the world to follow their favorite teams across different time zones, according to the rule followed in determining the stadiums of the matches and the timing of their start. (QNA)

Doha deciding to join the Olympic Games 2036 race wasn't an afterthought of any kind. For the last 30-odd years, the Qatari capital has carefully charted its journey using sports as a means to bring the entire Middle East region together. Not only that, Doha over the last three decades also built a purposeful narrative that sports spectacles like the FIFA World Cup, the Asian Games and World Championships can be successfully hosted and savoured by those investing heavily in the global sports industry.From hosting the then biggest edition of the Asian Games in December 2006 — welcoming more than 10,000 athletes and officials from 45-member countries of the Olympic Council of Asia — to staging the 2022 FIFA World Cup involving 32 teams, Qatar has proudly showcased its mighty sporting ambitions in front of billions of sports fans around the world.From opening the world's largest indoor sports facility — the Aspire Academy in 2005 — to constructing 8 state-of-the-art football stadiums for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Qatar clearly has gone beyond the debate on what it wants to achieve through sports.Five years ago, Doha put together a hard-to-beat Asian Games bid for the 2030 edition. Now, the Qatari capital will welcome athletes for the 2030 Asian Games. This will be the second Asiad to be hosted in Doha. When Doha joined the 2030 Asian Games race, the Qatari capital’s bid file showed that it had 90% of the sports infrastructure ready in the country. That sealed the deal for Doha.Over the course of the last three decades, Doha has successfully hosted world championships in boxing, cycling, gymnastics, track and field, swimming, handball, table tennis, shooting, triathlon and football. In 2027, Qatar will host the FIBA World Cup. With Aspire Academy carefully picking and grooming young talent – that is nurtured by world-class coaches and trainers in various disciplines — Qatar is not only known for hosting events but developing athletes from a young age.With Qatar hosting round-the-year leagues in football, basketball, volleyball, athletics, handball, cricket, tennis, snooker and billiards, shooting, cycling, horse racing and showjumping, and many other sports, Doha continues to wave the lag of optimism and carry on the Olympic Movement with absolute conviction that sports have to be a way of life for those living in the country, region and around the world.Whenever Qatar has hosted top-flight championships, it has also attracted sports fans who use the hub of global air travel — the Hamad International Airport — to come and visit the country. With Qatar adding more than 35,000 hotel rooms for the 2022 FIFA World Cup alone, the tourism industry in the country has never been in a more buoyant mood than it is enjoying right now. With Qatar currently hosting the FIFA Arab Cup 2025 — just days after it hosted the FIFA U-17 World Cup — Doha is abuzz with hundreds of thousands of regional and global visitors watching the matches live. Qatar welcomed more than a million fans for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.Sports fans don’t come to Qatar to just enjoy watching the games live. The fan stay — from within the region or elsewhere — is something they cherish. Traveling within Qatar is a royal luxury enjoyed by commuters. Apart from enjoying their stay in great hotels and dining at fabulous restaurants, visitors and residents use the state-of-the-art Metro system to significantly cut commute times and travel hours across the country.With youth turning to healthy lifestyles and following their favourite players on the pitch ever so much, Qatar has played a torch-bearer’s role in pushing its sports agenda for every country in the region and the rest of the Asian continent. Even in the broadcasting sector, Qatar’s beIN Sports Network is watched — with multiple language options — by millions of homes around the world, thanks largely to its spectacular sports coverage throughout the year, 24 x7.Doha’s bid for the 2036 Olympic Games delivers on every promise made by the Qatari leadership. With unmatched sporting infrastructure in the country, to A-grade travel logistics, to organisational skills learned from hosting world cups and championships, Doha is ahead of the game.Sports builds bridges and promotes a healthy lifestyle, and Qatar is leading the show on this front. Yet, the athlete and fan experience extends far beyond the pitch. Qatar’s cultural scene seamlessly blends deep-rooted heritage with modern innovation, anchored by landmarks like the Museum of Islamic Art and the vibrant Katara Cultural Village. By offering a world-class environment for both competition and cultural discovery, Doha 2036 promises an Olympic Games that will be remembered forever. 

Qatar's star striker Akram Afif expressed his delight at the team’s historic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico, saying that reaching the tournament through the qualifiers marks a new milestone for Qatari football.Afif, who was among the three finalists for the AFC Player of the Year award at the annual awards ceremony in Riyadh and lost out to Saudi Arabia’s Salem al-Dawsari. said he felt proud to be nominated once again for Asia’s top individual honour.“I congratulate the Qatari fans on qualifying for the World Cup, which is a significant achievement for Qatari football after our participation in the last edition as host,” the Al Sadd forward said.The two-time AFC Player of the Year winner, who helped lead Qatar to a 2-1 victory over the United Arab Emirates in Tuesday’s Asian play-off, added that the national team’s qualification reflected the hard work and spirit of the players. “I feel proud to be among the nominees for the award, and more importantly, to have qualified for the World Cup,” he said, expressing his gratitude to the fans for their strong support throughout the campaign.Afif has been in exceptional form, contributing decisively to both club and country. Last season, he registered 45 goal involvements for Al Sadd — scoring 23 goals and providing 22 assists in 36 matches — while leading the club to a second consecutive league title and the Qatar Cup. He was also the league’s top assist provider and guided Al Sadd to the AFC Champions League quarter-finals.During the AFC Awards ceremony, Afif drew attention for comments made in a televised interview regarding the closing moments of Qatar’s win over the UAE, in which he was seen gesturing toward supporters. Responding to questions about the incident, Afif said with a smile that he had encouraged fans to throw objects onto the pitch “just to waste time,” before quickly adding that he also asked them to stop so the referee would not extend the stoppage period.The tense finish in Doha saw Qatar secure a vital 2-1 win to top Group A of the Asian playoffs and confirm their place at the 2026 World Cup—the country’s second appearance at the global showpiece, and the first achieved through qualification.

The unique experience of Spanish coaching was marked successfully by the Qatari national football team, demonstrating its competence, excellence, and ability to achieve historic accomplishments with Qatari football, the latest of which was qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Qatar secured qualification for the World Cup, which will be held next year in the US, Canada, and Mexico, after defeating the UAE 2-1 in the final round of Group A of the Asian play-offs. Spanish coach Julen Lopetegui led the Qatari team to make history by successfully qualifying for the World Cup, adding a new chapter to Spain's record of success with Qatari football. Lopetegui took over the Qatari national team at the beginning of May, succeeding his compatriot, Luis Garcia. Despite the short period he spent in charge before the decisive matches, he was able to prepare the team in the necessary manner and gave the opportunity to many of them to participate in the starting lineup for the first time, despite the difficulty of the task. The team proved their worth and earned the coach's trust, contributing together to successfully qualify for the World Cup. This secured Qatar's second consecutive participation in the World Cup, and its first through the qualifiers after qualifying for the last FIFA World Cup, Qatar 2022, as the host nation. The Spanish coach's achievements with Qatari football are not a recent development, but extend over the past decade, which has witnessed the presence of Spanish coaches who have left a clear mark and achieved historic accomplishments with Qatar's national teams. Spain's success with the Qatari national team began in gradual stages, beginning with coach Felix Sanchez, who successfully led Qatar to the 2014 AFC U-20 Championship title. Sanchez joined Aspire Academy in 2006, coming from Barcelona's renowned La Masia academy, to work on developing football in Qatar. In 2013, he took over as coach of the U-19 national team, and just one year after taking over, he succeeded in winning the AFC U-19 Championship, the team's first continental title in this age group. In line with Qatar's vision, Sanchez assumed responsibility for the youth teams, both U-20 and U-23, until he was chosen in 2017 to take over the first team, the majority of which was composed of members of the generation he had coached in previous youth groups. Just two years after taking charge of the national team, the Spanish coach led Qatar to win the AFC Asian Cup 2019 title in the UAE, marking the country's first continental title in an unprecedented historic achievement. He then went on to become the first coach to lead Al-Annabi to its historic appearance at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. After a period during which Portuguese Carlos Queiroz took over as coach of the national team, Qatar returned to the Spanish footballing sphere with the appointment of Bartolome Marquez Lopez as coach shortly before the start of the 2023 Asian Cup in Doha. Lopez lived up to expectations, continuing the journey of achievements after successfully defending the title, leading Al-Annabi to win the continental cup for the second time in a row, which was also a historic achievement. Spain's successes with the Qatari national team continued when Julen Lopetegui led the Qatari national team to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026, a historic achievement as it marked the first time the Qatari national team had qualified for the World Cup through the qualifiers. The Spanish coach's unique achievements confirm his outstanding success with Qatari football, writing a distinguished history, and his aspirations for further success.

Julen Lopetegui paid tribute to his players and the fans after Qatar booked their ticket to the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Tuesday.A 2-1 win over the United Arab Emirates confirmed the two-time Asian Cup winners' first ever FIFA World Cup appearance through the qualifiers with Lopetegui expressing his pride in his players' never-say-die attitude."I congratulate everyone on qualifying in a match we managed well with the players and the team. Yes, this is the first time the team has qualified through the qualifiers. This is a great thing for us, and we are happy to qualify and participate in the 2026 World Cup," said the Spanish tactician.Having drawn with Oman in their opener, Qatar had to defeat UAE to advance, resulting in a tight match at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium. UAE, who beat Oman 2-1, also had the psychological advantage of having defeated Qatar twice in the previous round but fell to strikes from Boualem Khouki and Pedro Miguel, with Sultan Adil netting a consolation after the hosts were reduced to 10 men."The match was extremely difficult. We faced a strong and well-prepared team in the UAE. The first half was evenly matched. We wanted to score, and we achieved what we wanted at the beginning of the second half. I thank the players and the fans. Everyone did what was necessary. We overcame a difficult stage and qualified, delighting our fans," said Lopetegui.As a player, Lopetegui was part of Spain's squad at the 1994 World Cup squad but was third-choice goalkeeper and did not play. He was denied the chance to coach his national team at the 2018 World Cup. After taking Qatar to, the Real Madrid coach said "life owed me a World Cup""It seems like life owed me a World Cup, and fortunately, today I got it," the 59-year-old said. "It's a reward that I'm grateful for."For Lopetegui, the qualification carried personal significance. As a player, he was part of Spain’s 1994 World Cup squad but did not feature, and as coach, he was infamously dismissed just days before the 2018 tournament despite leading Spain through an unbeaten qualifying campaign.“It seems like life owed me a World Cup, and fortunately, today I got it,” the 59-year-old said with a smile. “It’s a reward I’m very grateful for. I’m excited to be back on the World Cup stage after what happened years ago — now it’s time to experience it with Qatar. There was a desire to be able to reach another World Cup, and that was an important factor in my decision to come here."Qatar’s performance in the 2022 World Cup, where they lost all three group games as hosts, is a reminder of the work ahead. Lopetegui acknowledged the task of rejuvenating the squad before 2026. “We have an older group,” he said. “We played with a 41-year-old in Sebastian Soria. We need to refine the team we’ll take to the World Cup.”Soria, making a surprise return to the national team after an eight-year absence, was emotional after the final whistle. “I’m happy and proud to have qualified,” the veteran striker said. “This generation deserves this achievement. Honestly, I feel lucky to be back with the team at this time. The fans were incredible.”Forward Almoez Ali echoed that sentiment. “Qualifying for the World Cup finals has a special flavor and came after a difficult match,” he said. “All the players were heroes today. This is a credit to the Qatari football system, and we want to make our next World Cup participation memorable.”Goalkeeper Abunada, whose early saves kept Qatar in the game, described the win as “a joy for the people.” He added: “The match was tough, but everyone fought to achieve this historic victory. The large crowd that came to support us made all the difference.”While Qatar can look forward to rubbing shoulders with the world's best next summer, UAE will now have to navigate a two-leg playoff against Iraq in November, with the winners to advance to the FIFA Playoff Tournament in March, where an additional two spots will be available.Head coach Cosmin Olariu did not hide his disappointment, with the Romanian feeling that his side did not maximise their chances."This is a disappointing result. We controlled the match and put pressure on our opponents. In the second half, we conceded an early goal. Football is sometimes unfair, and we must now enter a new phase and strive to return to the top of our game to secure our chances. It's unfortunate that this is where we've come to. We have to fight for our chance, and we have to learn from our mistakes going forward," said Olariu.

President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and FIFA First Vice-President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa congratulated Saudi Arabia and Qatar on qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Sheikh Salman said the qualification of the Saudi and Qatari national football teams reflects the prominent stature of both nations' football within the Asian landscape, underscoring their sustained progress and growing excellence at both continental and international levels. He added that the achievement marks the culmination of strategic planning and sustained efforts by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation and the Qatar Football Association, whose solid foundations have paved the way for qualification to the world's most prestigious football tournament. The AFC President commended the dedication, discipline, and professionalism demonstrated by the players, coaches, and administrative staff of both national teams throughout the qualification campaign, noting that their collective efforts embody the region's growing competitiveness and ambition on the global stage. Sheikh Salman expressed confidence in the ability of the Saudi and Qatari national teams to represent Asia with distinction at the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, alongside other qualified Asian nations. He stressed the importance of thorough preparation and high-level performance to reflect the continued progress of Asian football and further enhance its reputation on the global stage. He also extended his congratulations to the Iraqi and United Arab Emirates (UAE) national teams on reaching the knockout stage of the Asian playoffs for the 2026 World Cup, praising their impressive performances during the qualifiers and wishing them success in their ongoing pursuit of a place at the finals.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani has extended his congratulations to the Qatari people following the national football team's qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.In a message shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, His Highness the Amir expressed pride in the remarkable sporting achievement and wished the team success in the upcoming tournament.Qatar secured their spot in the World Cup after Tuesday's 2-1 victory over the United Arab Emirates in the final round of the Asian qualifiers.

Qatar sealed their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a tense 2-1 victory over the United Arab Emirates in the Asian qualifying playoffs at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Tuesday night.Needing a win to progress, Julen Lopetegui’s side rose to the occasion with goals from Boualem Khoukhi and Pedro Miguel, while Sultan Adil’s late strike for the UAE set up a frantic finish.Tarek Salman was sent off in the 89th minute after a VAR review for a studs-up tackle, but Qatar held firm through 15 minutes of stoppage time to claim a famous victory in front of a packed house at the home of Al Sadd.The 2022 World Cup hosts, who did not make it out of the group stage three years ago in their first ever appearance at the tournament, were deserving winners on the night.An emotional Akram Afif, who unlocked the UAE defence on both occasions with sublime crosses, was overjoyed after the memorable victory. “It’s a great achievement to qualify for the World Cup. We gave our best and got the result we wanted. The credit goes to our incredible fans, who turned up in large numbers and motivated us in this crucial match,” he said.Veteran forward Hassan al-Haydos echoed the sentiment, saying: “This is a moment we’ve dreamed of for a long time. It was the destiny of this generation to earn a place at the World Cup. This group is capable of achieving great things.”Captain Khoukhi said: “It’s time to celebrate, and I congratulate all Qataris on this historic achievement. We really worked hard for this win — we deserved this victory.”Both sides began cautiously, aware of the high stakes — a draw would have been enough for the visitors to qualify. Qatar dominated the early exchanges, with Afif pulling the strings in attack. Mohammad al-Mannai and Almoez Ali both went close before Nicolas Gimenez tested goalkeeper Mahmud Abunada from distance at the other end.After a goalless first half, Qatar broke through almost immediately after the restart. The two-time Asian Player of the Year Afif delivered a trademark curling cross from the left, and Khoukhi rose highest to head home in the 46th minute, sending the home crowd into raptures.Qatar doubled their lead in the 74th minute when Miguel nodded in another pinpoint Afif delivery from a set piece. The UAE threw everything forward in the closing stages, and Adil pulled one back deep into stoppage time, but Abunada’s late saves preserved the win amid rising tension.The result confirmed Qatar’s direct qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico. The UAE will now enter a two-legged playoff against the Group B runners-up in November, with the winner advancing to an intercontinental playoff for one final chance to reach the finals.Qatar became the seventh Asian side to qualify for the global showpiece, joining Uzbekistan, Jordan, Iran, South Korea, Japan and Australia.

Qatar head coach Julen Lopetegui has underlined the high stakes and intense pressure surrounding his side’s upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup play-off match against Oman, which will be played Wednesday at 6pm Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Al Sadd.The Group A encounter marks the opening round of the fourth stage of the AFC Asian Qualifiers, with the United Arab Emirates also part of the group with matches to be played in a single round-robin format. Group B hosts Saudi Arabia will have Iraq and Indonesia for company.Only the group winner is guaranteed automatic qualification to the next year’s World Cup, which will be co-hosted by USA, Canada and Mexico. A final qualifying chance is available to the runners-up of each group, who will square off in a two-legged showdown across November 13 and 18. This Knockout Stage will determine the Asian representative at the FIFA Play-Off Tournament, where they will have to fend off opponents from other confederations to claim one of two berths.Speaking at a press conference ahead of the match, Lopetegui stressed the importance of mental focus and readiness in this critical stage. “We are heading into a decisive and pivotal stage with two crucial matches requiring the highest levels of mental preparedness,” said the Spanish coach, who took charge of the team in May.The former Spain and Real Madrid manager acknowledged the strength of the Omani side, now led by veteran Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz, who had a brief stint with Qatar as well.“We will face a strong Omani team, whom we know well and respect, under the leadership of a great coach in Carlos Queiroz. Our goal is to achieve the dream of reaching the World Cup, which will only be achieved by exerting our utmost effort.”While optimistic, Lopetegui made it clear that Qatar’s lineup for the match is not yet finalised, citing ongoing assessments of player fitness and readiness. “We have many different situations, and we must wait until tomorrow to determine the full readiness of the players before selecting the ideal lineup for the first match,” he said.Qatar, who are still finding their rhythm under Lopetegui, will be hoping for a strong start after an uneven run of results — including losses to Lebanon and Russia, and a 2-2 draw with Bahrain in friendlies. Almoez Ali is expected to lead the attack, with creative duties falling to star forward Akram Afif.Lopetegui remained firm in his belief that the squad has what it takes to rise to the occasion — if they channel their focus and energy effectively. “It is important for the players to work hard to achieve this dream. We must work to demonstrate the required balance in order to perform optimally in both matches and harness all our positive energy to achieve victory,” the Spaniard said.Players’ morale is high, says KhoukhiVeteran defender Boualem Khoukhi echoed his coach’s sentiments and emphasised the team’s preparation and determination to start the campaign with a win.“We are ready for the match, which will not be easy. The players' morale is high, and we seek to demonstrate a high degree of focus to achieve victory,” he said.The experienced centre-back acknowledged the challenge posed by Oman but stressed that the players are aware of what’s at stake. “We realise the importance of the two matches, and our focus will now be on the match against Oman. The fans' presence will be a great motivator and incentive for the players to achieve victory and secure our first three points.”With expectations running high and only limited opportunities in the group stage, Boualem made a direct appeal to the supporters and vowed that the team is ready to deliver. “The ball is in the players' court, and we are expecting a large turnout from our fans, and God willing, we will not disappoint.”Oman, meanwhile, will look to continue their progression under Carlos Queiroz. In-form striker Issam al-Sabhi, who scored twice in their most recent win over Qatar during the 2024 Gulf Cup, will be key to their attacking hopes.

Qatar have intensified their preparations for two crucial matches that will decide their fate in the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as they prepare to host Oman and the United Arab Emirates at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Al Sadd.Al Annabi will open their campaign against Oman tomorrow, before facing the UAE on October 14, with Oman and the UAE meeting in between on October 11. The group winner will qualify directly for the World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada next year. The runner-up will face the second-placed team from Group B — which includes Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Indonesia — in a two-legged play-off on November 13 and 18, with the winner advancing to the intercontinental play-off.Of the three sides in Group A, only Qatar and the UAE have appeared at the World Cup — Qatar making their debut as hosts in 2022, while the UAE’s sole appearance came in 1990. Oman are still seeking their first-ever qualification.Oman will hope to repeat their 2–1 victory over Qatar in last year’s Gulf Cup — their first win in 11 meetings since 2009. But Qatar, buoyed by the home crowd and the confidence of being back-to-back Asian Cup winners, will aim for a strong start. All matches will be played in Doha, giving the reigning Asian champions a clear home advantage as they target back-to-back qualifications, albeit first time on merit.Qatar topped their group in the second round of qualifying with 16 points, finishing ahead of Kuwait, India and Afghanistan. However, they struggled in the third round, ending fourth in Group A behind Iran, Uzbekistan and the UAE. Iran and Uzbekistan secured direct qualification, while Qatar and the UAE dropped into the play-offs.Qatar appointed Julen Lopetegui, the former Spain and Real Madrid coach, in May following his departure from West Ham United. Tasked with guiding Al Annabi back to the World Cup, Lopetegui has faced challenges, particularly in defence, and will need to manage pressure carefully in these decisive fixtures.Several former players have expressed confidence in Qatar’s chances. Former national team and Al Sadd forward Hassan Mattar told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that a strong start against Oman is crucial for building momentum and confidence. “Victory in the opening match will be a major step toward qualification,” Mattar said. “It will help the players settle early and give them belief ahead of the UAE clash.”He acknowledged that Qatar fell short of expectations in the previous qualifying round but said hosting the play-off stage in Doha provides a chance to reset. “This is the ideal opportunity for the team to get back on track,” he added. “Experience will be vital — these matches demand focus, discipline, and a fighting spirit. Small details often decide games at this level.”Mattar also called on the team to minimise errors and make full use of home support, saying the players’ mental and physical readiness will be key to achieving the desired results.Another former international, Abdulaziz Hassan, expressed optimism that Qatar’s current squad has the experience to handle pressure and the attacking firepower to make a difference. “Playing at home will give the players a strong push,” he said. “This group includes quality players like Akram Afif, Almoez Ali and Edmilson — players who can decide matches in key moments.”Hassan cautioned that Qatar must avoid complacency, noting the group is evenly matched. “The levels of Qatar, Oman and the UAE are quite close,” he said. “Every point matters — especially in the first game against Oman, which could shape the path to qualification.”