Qatar are within “touching distance” of reaching the 2026 World Cup playoffs and will give everything in their final qualifying fixtures against Iran and Uzbekistan, says new head coach Julen Lopetegui.
Although the reigning Asian champions cannot secure one of the top two automatic spots in Group A of the Asian qualifiers, they remain in contention for a playoff place — available to the third and fourth-placed teams. Qatar currently sit fourth with 10 points, four clear of Kyrgyzstan.
Lopetegui, the former Spain and Real Madrid boss, will lead Qatar for the first time when they host group leaders Iran in Doha on Thursday. They will then travel to face second-placed Uzbekistan on June 10 to close out the third round.
“Qatar has never reached a World Cup through the qualification process, and that’s a dream we’re fighting hard to realise,” Lopetegui told FIFA.com in an interview published Tuesday.
“We’re close. These next two games will be very demanding, played just days apart, but we’re committed to giving our all and earning another shot at qualification in October.”
Qatar, who hosted the 2022 World Cup, have enjoyed recent continental success — winning consecutive AFC Asian Cup titles — but Lopetegui acknowledged the team is in transition.
“This generation has accomplished remarkable things in Asia,” he said. “But football evolves, and now we must begin the next cycle. That won’t be easy, but while we rebuild, we’re focused on staying competitive — that’s the immediate goal.”
