Doha: Spanish coach Julen Lopetegui, the Head Coach of Qatar's national team, affirmed that the goal for the FIFA World Cup 2026, taking place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, is to instill pride among Qatari people and football fans through the team's performance.
According to Qatar News Agency, Lopetegui highlighted that Qatari fans should celebrate the achievement of qualifying for a global event like the World Cup, marking the first time the national team has secured a spot through the qualifiers. Qatar previously participated as the host nation in the FIFA World Cup 2022. Lopetegui described this previous participation as a dream come true and emphasized that the players now have a new ambition: to compete fiercely and showcase their determination.
Lopetegui, formerly the coach of Spain and Real Madrid, expressed his pride in leading the Qatar team at the World Cup. He acknowledged the trust and responsibility bestowed upon him by officials and his role in guiding the team through the qualifiers for the first time, which has deepened his connection to the country. He encouraged Qatari fans to support the national team in person whenever possible and to take pride in the nation's deserved place at such a significant global event. He assured that the players would give their utmost effort and demonstrate the professionalism required to compete against strong opponents.
In the World Cup draw, Qatar was placed in Group B. The team will kick off its campaign against Switzerland in San Francisco, USA, on June 13, then face Canada on June 18 in Vancouver, Canada. Qatar will wrap up its group-stage matches against Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 24 in Seattle, USA.
Regarding preparations, which commenced in the middle of this month, Lopetegui stated that efforts began immediately after the domestic season concluded. He described the domestic season as competitive, benefiting the national team players by elevating their level. He stressed the importance of Qatari players gaining as much playing time as possible, noting that some teams lack a substantial number of local players. He also expressed hope that clubs would feature more Qatari players.
Lopetegui emphasized the importance of minimizing injuries, stating that avoiding injuries is crucial due to limited recovery time.
The final squad selection, which saw the return of players who missed the Arab Cup 2025, included no major surprises. The coach explained that previous selections focused on a particular type of player, considering the age range of many players between 34 and 36 years. Thus, the choices for the Arab Cup differed to maintain team balance.
Lopetegui underlined the necessity of ensuring players' readiness for the World Cup by avoiding injuries and being fully prepared for key matches in June. He noted that the final list of players would be determined by those best positioned to help Qatar compete effectively, factoring in physical readiness and recent playing time.