Oman appoints Portuguese Queiroz as new head coach ahead of fourth round World Cup Qualifiers
The strategic decision comes ahead of the AFC fourth and final round of qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the draw scheduled in Kuala Lumpur for July 17. Oman will compete in a high-stakes tournament hosted by Saudi Arabia and Qatar, vying for a place at football's most prestigious event.
Queiroz boasts a distinguished international coaching career, having managed top national teams including Portugal, Iran, South Africa, Colombia, Egypt, and Qatar. He is famed for leading Iran to three consecutive FIFA World Cups (2014, 2018, and 2022) and for his two spells as assistant coach at Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson. He was also the coach of Spanish giants Real Madrid from 2003-2004.
Queiroz's wealth of tactical expertise and experience will be pivotal as Oman competes against Asia's elite for a historic World Cup berth.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) confirmed that Saudi Arabia and Qatar will jointly host the fourth round of Asia's 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in October 2025. This stage features six teams that finished third and fourth in their respective third-round groups.
The teams drawn on July 17 will be split into two groups of three nations each.
Oman will join Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq, Indonesia, and the United Arab Emirates in this final qualifying phase.
Matches will be played over three matchdays, from October 8 to 14, in a centralised format.
The winners of each group will earn direct qualification to the newly expanded 48-team World Cup finals.
Meanwhile, the runners-up from each group will face off in a playoff scheduled for November. The victor of that playoff will advance to an intercontinental playoff tournament in March 2026, with the chance to claim one of the last two World Cup spots available.
The AFC's eight World Cup slots (expanded from five in previous tournaments) have been claimed by Japan, Australia, Iran, Uzbekistan, South Korea, and Jordan, who secured their spots by finishing in the top two of their respective groups during the third round.
Oman now has the challenging task of navigating the fourth round to join these established teams on the global stage.
In a message on X, the OFA expressed deep appreciation for the former head coach Rasheed Jaber, whose leadership was instrumental in guiding Oman to this crucial qualification phase. Jaber's tenure laid the groundwork for the team's current competitive position, which Queiroz now aims to build upon.
In addition to Queiroz's appointment, Hamad Al Azzani has been named technical director for Oman's youth national teams and will temporarily serve as assistant coach for the senior team during the qualifiers, ensuring a seamless transition and focus on long-term development.
The OFA's board, chaired by Sayyid Sulaiman Al Busaidi, endorsed the decision to appoint Queiroz, reflecting a commitment to get the best results at the top level.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times of Oman
2 hours ago
- Times of Oman
Registration now open for Samla International – Qatar's Ultimate Endurance Race
Registration is now open for the first-ever international edition of the Samla Race, Qatar's most challenging test of endurance, set to take place on January 24, 2026. In partnership with Visit Qatar, the Samla Race is expanding to the global stage, inviting elite male and female athletes from around the world to compete in a uniquely challenging test of strength and stamina across Qatar's diverse landscapes. The Samla International Race features four consecutive, high-impact disciplines: a 3-kilometre open-water swim, a 49-kilometre run, a 44-kilometre mountain biking trail, and a 4-kilometre kayaking course. Athletes can register through the official race website, where they will find a detailed race guide outlining participation criteria, safety requirements, and all relevant rules and regulations. A prize pool of approximately USD 300,000 will be awarded to top finishers in both male and female categories. Registration will be open from July 20 to August 9, participants will have a 20-day window to apply, providing them enough time to register. Submitting the registration form does not guarantee participation, as spots are limited. Confirmations will be sent via email after the official registration period closes, and only confirmed athletes will be required to pay a participation fee to secure their place. With the launch of Samla International, Qatar continues to strengthen its reputation as a world-class destination for sporting events. As the race welcomes global competitors for the first time, it not only showcases the nation's distinctive landscape but also reflects Visit Qatar's ongoing commitment to advancing sports tourism and delivering exceptional, world-class experiences for athletes and fans from around the globe.
Times of Oman
10 hours ago
- Times of Oman
Golf Stakeholders Meet at Europcar Oman & Bahrain HQ to Strengthen the Sport's Growth in Oman
A group of individuals deeply involved in Oman's golfing community gathered this week at Europcar Oman & Bahrain's headquarters to explore ways of advancing the sport's development across the Sultanate and the wider region. 'This is a pivotal moment for golf in Oman,' said Nitin Sapre, CEO of Europcar Oman & Bahrain. 'By working together, we can create lasting impact—building a stronger community around the sport and inspiring the next generation of players.' Ahmed Al Jahdhami, Secretary General of the Oman Golf Association, added: 'Partnerships like these are vital for nurturing talent and creating pathways for golfers at all levels. Together, we can strengthen Oman's golfing ecosystem.' Cristian Nannucci, General Manager of Lavie Golf Course and Tivoli Hotel, shared similar sentiments: 'We see tremendous potential for growth in Oman's golfing scene. Collaboration across the community will be key to making the sport more accessible and attractive.' Attending the meeting were: • Ahmed Al Jahdhami, Secretary General of the Oman Golf Association. • Nitin Sapre, CEO of Europcar Oman & Bahrain. • Cristian Nannucci, General Manager of Lavie Golf Course and Tivoli Hotel, whose facilities continue to attract golf enthusiasts. • Debbie Nannucci, an advocate for enhancing ladies' participation in golf. • Jonathan Head Coach of Oman's National Golf Team. The discussions focused on encouraging grassroots participation, creating inclusive opportunities for youth and ladies, and enhancing Oman's appeal as a golfing destination.
Times of Oman
a day ago
- Times of Oman
Oman Cricket appoints Sulakshan Kulkarni as Deputy Head Coach of Oman Men's National Team
Muscat: Oman Cricket is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Sulakshan Kulkarni as the Deputy Head Coach of the Oman Men's Cricket Team. A seasoned cricketing mind and former first-class cricketer, Kulkarni brings with him over two decades of elite coaching experience and a deep understanding of the game, having contributed significantly to Indian Domestic Cricket and International Assignments. A former Mumbai stalwart, Kulkarni played first-class cricket from 1985 to 2002, sharing the dressing room with legends such as Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin Tendulkar. He also boasts an illustrious record with seven Ranji Trophy and Irani Cup titles with Mumbai, as a player and coach then. He was also named among the probable squad in India's 1987 World Cup squad. His coaching portfolio spans across top Indian domestic teams including Mumbai, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra. Under his guidance, Mumbai lifted both the Ranji Trophy and the Deodhar Trophy, while West Zone emerged victorious under his strategic leadership. Sulakshan, a gritty batter and a elite coach, has played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of numerous international stars such as Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Suryakumar Yadav, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Avishkar Salvi. In 2018, he also served as the Batting Consultant for Nepal, during the ICC World Cup Qualifiers Division II, where Nepal secured ODI status for the first time in its history. With over 20 years of coaching experience for National, International and IPL teams, Sulakshan Kulkarni's appointment underscores Oman Cricket's commitment to building a strong and competitive team structure with solid backroom staff led by Duleep Mendis ahead of key international fixtures such as the ICC EAP Asia Qualifier Final and the on-going cycle of the ICC CWC League 2, both of which are a step to the T20 World Cup 2026 and Cricket World Cup 2027 respectively. Oman Cricket extends a warm welcome to Mr. Kulkarni and looks forward to his valuable contribution in elevating the performance and development of our national cricket team.
