Latest news with #26thGulfCup
Arab Times
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Arab Times
Kuwait eyes consolation win over South Korea
KUWAIT CITY, June 9: Kuwait is aiming for its first victory in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers when it faces South Korea today at 2:00 PM (Kuwait time) at the World Cup Stadium in Seoul, in the final and tenth round of Group B. The Blues currently sit in sixth and last place in the group with five points, earned from five draws and four losses. In contrast, South Korea has already secured top spot with 19 points, followed by Jordan, which qualified for the World Cup for the first time in history after finishing second with 15 points. Iraq (12 points), Oman (10), and Palestine (9) round out the group standings. Kuwait was officially eliminated from qualification in the previous round after suffering a 2-0 home loss to Palestine. Now, it aims to conclude their campaign with a positive result, despite its dream of returning to the World Cup after 43 years, coming to an end—its only appearance was in Spain 1982. Head coach Juan Antonio Pizzi is seeking his first win in the qualifiers and his second overall victory since taking charge last July. His only win so far came against the UAE in the 26th Gulf Cup, hosted in Kuwait last December. Kuwait will be without Mohammed Daham and Khaled Al-Rashidi due to yellow card accumulation. The availability of striker Yousef Nasser remains uncertain after an injury sustained against Palestine. In addition, Eid Al-Rashidi has withdrawn from the squad for personal reasons. To compensate, Pizzi has called up goalkeeper Ahmed Adi (Al-Fahaheel) and striker Talal Al-Qaisi (Kazma). Despite these absences, hopes remain for a strong showing, especially as South Korea is expected to field a young lineup, according to their coaching staff. Pizzi still has a solid core of players to rely on, including: Fahad Al-Hajri, Mishari Ghannam, Reda Hani, Ahmed Al-Zanki, Ahmed Al-Dhafiri, Rashed Al-Dosari, Jassim Al-Matar, Mubarak Al-Fanini, Abdulwahab Al-Awadhi, Hassan Hamdan, Mohammed Khaled, Hussein Ashkanani, Yousef Majed, Hamad Harbi, Abdulrahman Al-Rashidi, Mahdi Dashti, Moaz Al-Asima, and Fawaz Ayed.
Qatar Living
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Qatar Living
Lopetegui appointed as Qatar football team coach
By QLNews • 3 May 2025 16:05 Former Spain and Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui has been appointed as Qatar manager on a two-year deal, according to the Qatar Football Association (QFA). 'Ready for a new chapter. Welcome Lopetegui. We're excited to embark on this journey together,' the QFA wrote on social media. Ready for a new chapter Welcome Lopetegui #AlAnnabi 'I'm ready,' the Spaniard said in a video accompanying the post on X, formerly known as Twitter. The 58-year-old has signed a contract with Qatar until 2027 when the country will defend their Asian Cup title. He will replace compatriot Luis Garcia, who was appointed last December ahead of the 26th Gulf Cup in Kuwait. The contract with Lopetegui was signed by QFA General Secretary Mansoor Al Ansari at the association's headquarters in Al Bidda Tower, in the presence of QFA President Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain. A move to Qatar represents the first return to international management for Lopetegui since he was dismissed from his role as Spain head coach on the eve of the 2018 World Cup. Lopetegui was unbeaten in 20 matches with Spain, but was sacked by the Spanish FA after Real Madrid announced they had agreed a deal to appoint him for the 2018-19 season. He was sacked as West Ham United coach in January after six months in charge. Qatar are fourth in Group A in the third round of qualifying for the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States. They cannot finish in the top-two places, which bring automatic qualification for the finals, but are in contention to reach the Asian play-offs for teams finishing third and fourth. Qatar have 10 points from eight matches, four ahead of fifth-placed Kyrgyzstan. They host group leaders Iran on June 5 and visit Uzbekistan, who are second, on June 10 in their remaining third round games. Make sure to check out our social media to keep track of the latest content.
New Straits Times
01-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Lopetegui returns to international stage with Qatar
Former Spain and Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui has been appointed Qatar manager on a two-year deal, the country's FA said on Thursday. It posted a video on X saying: "Julen Lopetegui the coming coach of the national team. He will guide the team throughout the remaining matches of the World Cup 2026 qualifiers." He will replace compatriot Luis Garcia, who was appointed last December ahead of the 26th Gulf Cup in Kuwait. A move to Qatar represents the first return to international management for Lopetegui, 58, since he was dismissed from his role as Spain head coach on the eve of the 2018 World Cup. Lopetegui was unbeaten in 20 matches with Spain but was sacked by the Spanish FA after Real Madrid announced they had agreed a deal to appoint him for the 2018-19 season. He was sacked as West Ham United coach in January after six months in charge. Qatar are fourth in Group A in the third round of qualifying for the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States. They cannot finish in the top two places which bring automatic qualification for the finals but are in contention to reach the Asian playoffs for teams finishing third and fourth. Qatar have 10 points from eight matches, four ahead of fifth-placed Kyrgyzstan. They host group leaders Iran on June 5 and visit Uzbekistan, who are second, on June 10 in their remaining third round games.
CNA
01-05-2025
- Sport
- CNA
Lopetegui returns to international stage with Qatar
Former Spain and Real Madrid coach Julien Lopetegui has been appointed Qatar manager on a two-year deal, the country's FA said on Thursday. It posted a video on X saying: 'Julien Lopetegui the coming coach of the national team. He will guide the team throughout the remaining matches of the World Cup 2026 qualifiers." He will replace compatriot Luis Garcia, who was appointed last December ahead of the 26th Gulf Cup in Kuwait. A move to Qatar represents the first return to international management for Lopetegui, 58, since he was dismissed from his role as Spain head coach on the eve of the 2018 World Cup. Lopetegui was unbeaten in 20 matches with Spain but was sacked by the Spanish FA after Real Madrid announced they had agreed a deal to appoint him for the 2018-19 season. He was sacked as West Ham United coach in January after six months in charge. Qatar are fourth in Group A in the third round of qualifying for the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States. They cannot finish in the top two places which bring automatic qualification for the finals but are in contention to reach the Asian playoffs for teams finishing third and fourth. Qatar have 10 points from eight matches, four ahead of fifth-placed Kyrgyzstan. They host group leaders Iran on June 5 and visit Uzbekistan, who are second, on June 10 in their remaining third round games.
Straits Times
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Lopetegui returns to international stage with Qatar
Former Spain and Real Madrid coach Julien Lopetegui has been appointed Qatar manager on a two-year deal, the country's FA said on Thursday. It posted a video on X saying: 'Julien Lopetegui the coming coach of the national team. He will guide the team throughout the remaining matches of the World Cup 2026 qualifiers." He will replace compatriot Luis Garcia, who was appointed last December ahead of the 26th Gulf Cup in Kuwait. A move to Qatar represents the first return to international management for Lopetegui, 58, since he was dismissed from his role as Spain head coach on the eve of the 2018 World Cup. Lopetegui was unbeaten in 20 matches with Spain but was sacked by the Spanish FA after Real Madrid announced they had agreed a deal to appoint him for the 2018-19 season. He was sacked as West Ham United coach in January after six months in charge. Qatar are fourth in Group A in the third round of qualifying for the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States. They cannot finish in the top two places which bring automatic qualification for the finals but are in contention to reach the Asian playoffs for teams finishing third and fourth. Qatar have 10 points from eight matches, four ahead of fifth-placed Kyrgyzstan. They host group leaders Iran on June 5 and visit Uzbekistan, who are second, on June 10 in their remaining third round games. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
