Latest news with #Lopetegui
Qatar Tribune
5 days ago
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar to play Bahrain and Russia in friendlies in Doha ahead of crucial Asian Qualifiers Playoffs for FIFA World Cup 2026
Tribune News Network Doha The Qatar national football team will play two international friendlies against Bahrain and Russia in September as part of their preparations for the fourth round (play-offs) of the Asian qualifiers for FIFA World Cup 2026, the Qatar Football Association has announced. Al Annabi will face Bahrain in the first match on Tuesday, September 3, at the Al Thumama Stadium, before meeting Russia on Saturday, September 7, at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium. Qatar is scheduled to host Group A matches of the Asian Qualifiers Play-off, where Al Annabi will face Oman on October 8, and meet the UAE on the 14th of the same month at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium. The upcoming two friendly matches represent an important technical opportunity for the technical staff, led by coach Julen Lopetegui, to assess players' readiness and prepare an ideal squad before the crucial qualifiers. Qatar advanced to the playoffs after finishing fourth in Group A of the third round of the Asian Qualifiers. Qatar players recently trained under Spanish coach Lopetegui at an overseas camp in Austria. Qatar are seeking a second consecutive FIFA World Cup appearance following their debut as hosts in 2022. Meanwhile, UAE are hoping for a second appearance at the Finals following their debut in the 1990 edition. In the Playoffs, the winners of two of the three-team groups, which will be played in October, will join already-qualified Australia, Japan, South Korea, Uzbekistan, Iran and Jordan at next year's expanded 48-nation finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The nations finishing in second place in each group will advance to a further round of qualifying, which will be held over two legs in November on a home-and-away basis. Asia has been granted eight guaranteed berths at the FIFA World Cup Finals. A possible ninth berth is available to the winner of November's match-up via an intercontinental playoff in March. Ahead of Al Annabi's overseas camp in Austria, coach Lopetegui had announced a 30-man roster featuring several notable changes. Al Sadd midfielder Guilherme Torres earned his first national team call-up, while former captain Hassan Al Haydos returned to the side for the qualifiers. Veteran goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb was left out, with Marwan Sharif and Shehab Al Laithi brought in. The list also included two fresh defensive additions: Youssef Ayman (Al Duhail) and Abdullah Al Yazidi (Al Sadd). The four goalkeepers picked were Meshaal Barsham, Salah Zakaria, Marwan Sharif, and Al Laithi. Other key players in the team are Akram Afif, Almoez Ali, Boualem Khoukhi, Karim Boudiaf, and Pedro Miguel.
ILoveQatar.net
6 days ago
- Sport
- ILoveQatar.net
Qatar vs Russia: Al Annabi Friendly Match 2025
As part of its preparations for the fourth round (play-off) of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, the Qatar national football team will play two friendly matches next September. Al-Annabi will face Bahrain in the first match on Tuesday, September 3, at Al-Thumama Stadium, before facing Russia on Saturday, September 7, at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium at Al-Sadd Club. The national team will host Group A matches in the continental play-off, where it will face Oman on October 8, and then meet the UAE on the 14th of the same month, at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Al Sadd Club. These two friendly matches represent an important technical opportunity for the technical staff, led by coach Lopetegui, to assess the players' readiness and prepare the ideal squad before the crucial qualifiers. Note: The ticketing details are to be announced soon. The end timing mentioned is approximate. Source and cover image: Qatar Football Association Note: The details mentioned in this event listing are sourced from the organizers' official announcements and are subject to change. Please check with the organizer directly before making plans.
Qatar Tribune
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar aim to keep up their winning run against Uzbekistan in Tashkent
AFC/TNN Tashkent Qatar will look to continue their winning run against Uzbekistan at the Bunyodkor Stadium in Tashkent for their concluding AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26 Group A tie on Tuesday. Al Annabi sealed their place in the playoffs - where an additional two spots to the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be at stake - with a 1-0 win over Iran on Thursday. It was Spaniard Julen Lopetegui's first match in charge as head coach and the tactician will expect his side to take full points as they set their eyes on the playoffs. 'We have another match ahead of us, and we must also focus because it will be an important building block for what's to come,' said Lopetegui after The morale boosting win against Iran. Ahead of the clash against Uzbekistan, Lopetegui reiterated, 'This match will be an important and challenging test for us ahead of the fourth round of the Asian qualifiers in October. We need to maintain our standard of high-quality football and control the tempo of the game.' 'We are fully aware of the strength of the Uzbek team, which is one of the best in Asia. That's why we must give our maximum effort and perform at our highest level.' 'I have full confidence in our players' ability to rise to the occasion and reflect the hard work we've put in during preparation. Everyone is committed and determined to give their best performance.' Qatar player Abdulaziz Hatem said, 'Our preparations for this match have gone well, especially following our important victory over Iran in the previous round, which secured our qualification for the fourth round of the qualifiers.' 'Tomorrow's match against Uzbekistan will be an important test as we prepare for the next stage of the qualifiers, so we must approach it with full seriousness.' 'Our matches against Uzbekistan are always intense and exciting, and we expect tomorrow's game to be no different. We will strive to perform at our best and give it everything we've got.' Meanwhile fans will expect a party-like atmosphere when Uzbekistan welcome Qatar. The Central Asian side sealed qualification to an inaugural FIFA World Cup Finals on Thursday and will want to end their campaign with victory in front of their fans. Thursday's qualification was greeted with joy as Uzbekistan ended their long wait to appear on the global stage, with head coach Timur Kapadze applauding his players for getting across the finish line despite the immense pressure. 'We overcame a lot of pressure. Before the game, fans, sports websites and experts expressed their confidence in our team's victory and expected a good result from us. This confidence also became a great responsibility and pressure for us. But we managed to overcome this pressure and complete the task. 'For the next match, we will prepare adequately although several players who have not featured much may be given the chance to play,' said the tactician, with there still being a possibility of Uzbekistan topping the group with a win should Islamic Republic of Iran lose to DPR Korea. Qatar have 13 points with four wins. Iran top the group with 20 points, followed by Uzbekistan (18), the UAE (14), Qatar (13), Kyrgyzstan (7), and North Korea (3). Iran and Uzbekistan have both secured automatic qualification to the World Cup. Eighteen teams have qualified for the current stage that was divided into three groups, each containing six teams competing in a split league system of two home and away stages. The first and second-placed teams from each group qualify directly for the World Cup. The third and fourth-placed teams in each group advance to the fourth round, which will see the teams divided into two groups of three. The top team in each group will qualify for the World Cup, while the second-placed teams will play a continental play-off to qualify for the World Cup.
Qatar Tribune
08-06-2025
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar to wrap up preparations for Tuesday's Uzbekistan match
TASHKENT: On Monday, the Qatari national football team will conclude its preparations for its upcoming match against host, Uzbekistan, at Bunyodkor Stadium on Tuesday, 4.45pm Doha time. The match marks the 10th and final round of Group A in the third set of Asian qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 26, to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The Qatari team arrived in the Uzbek capital on Sunday evening and will hold their final training session at Bunyodkor Stadium on Monday, which is also when Head coach Julen Lopetegui will give the pre-match press conference. Earlier on Sunday, the Qatari squad trained at Khalifa International Stadium, with the coaching staff focusing on physical preparation, as well as tactical and technical aspects of play. Coach Lopetegui called up Nabil Erfan from Al Wakrah and Mohammed Ayash from Al Duhail to join the national team for the Uzbekistan match. Although mostly a formality for the reigning two-time AFC Asian Cup champions, Qatar's head coach wants the Uzbekistan match to maintain Qatar's upward momentum and build on the morale boost from their 1-0 victory over group leaders, Iran, in the previous round, which was Iran's first loss in the current qualifiers. Currently sitting 4th in the group with 13 points from four wins, Qatar have already secured a place in the Asian playoff round, along with the UAE. Iran leads the group with 20 points, followed by Uzbekistan with 18, the UAE 14, Qatar 13, Kyrgyzstan 7, and North Korea 3. Iran and Uzbekistan have already clinched the group's two direct qualification spots for the FIFA World Cup 26.
Gulf Today
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
UAE bid to keep World Cup hopes alive with victory over Uzbekistan
The UAE stand in Uzbekistan's way with the Central Asian nation on the verge of securing FIFA World Cup qualification for the first time. Timur Kapadze's Uzbekistan only need to avoid defeat against UAE in their AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26 Group A tie to join Islamic Republic of Iran at next year's global extravaganza. The UAE, however, will go into the tie at the Al Nahyan Stadium determined to - at the very least - delay Uzbekistan's celebrations. Seeking a second appearance at the FIFA World Cup, UAE still have an outside chance of securing an automatic ticket and will have Romanian tactician Cosmin Olariu leading them for the first time. They sit on 13 points, four behind Uzbekistan but with just two matches remaining, their fate is out of their hands but Olariu has vowed they will do their best to keep their dream of automatic qualification alive. Stopping history-seeking Uzbekistan won't be easy, with the White Wolves having suffered defeat only once in their qualifying campaign. The players, said defender Rustam Ashurmatov, are determined to realise the dreams of their nation. 'We give our all in every match. We go to the field only to win. I think our team is capable of this - we will win,' said Ashurmatov to local media. Meanwhile, Julen Lopetegui will be aiming to get his tenure off to a winning start when Qatar host Islamic Republic of Iran in Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26 on Thursday. While Iran have already confirmed their FIFA World Cup 2026 appearance, Qatar's hopes depend on them advancing from the playoffs, with automatic qualification no longer an option. Such have two-time AFC Asian Cup winners Qatar's troubles been that Lopetegui will be the third head coach in charge of their qualifying campaign. With an automatic spot out of reach, former Spain and Real Madrid manager Lopetegui has to ensure the West Asian side finish a minimum fourth to book a spot in the playoffs, where an additional two FIFA World Cup tickets will be at stake. On a positive note, they sit four points ahead of Kyrgyz Republic but with Iran and then Uzbekistan to follow, Qatar must tread with caution. Iran will head into the tie in relaxed mode after securing a fourth consecutive appearance at the FIFA World Cup. In what has been a sterling qualifying campaign, the only points Team Melli dropped were in two stalemates with Uzbekistan and they aren't likely to hold back despite having already secured their FIFA World Cup slot. The corresponding fixture last November ended 5-0 in Iran's favour and they will be aiming for another statement win. Bahrain and Saudi Arabia both know the score - only victory will suffice when they meet in Group C of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26 on Thursday. Bahrain are chasing a playoff spot while Saudi Arabia need the three points to keep their hopes of automatic qualification alive going into next Tuesday's final round of matches. Defeats against Indonesia and Japan in the March fixtures ended Bahrain's hopes of an automatic spot, with the West Asian side going into their tie against Saudi Arabia on six points. They sit three point behind Indonesia, with the third and fourth-place teams to advance to the playoffs which offer an additional two spots to the global showpiece. While their fate is no longer in their hands, Bahrain will be determined to remain in the race for as long as they can as they look to make up for their March defeats. With Japan having already confirmed their spot in next year's Finals, Saudi Arabia are in a two-horse race with Australia - with the Socceroos in prime position to advance automatically. That, however, could change if Australia fail to beat Japan on Thursday as a win for Saudi Arabia against Bahrain will mean the two will face off in a winner-takes-all showdown on Tuesday. Oman will aim to maximise home ground advantage when they welcome Jordan to the Sultan Qaboos Sport Complex for their AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26 Group B tie on Thursday.
