DOHA : Qatar coach Julen Lopetegui said his side’s goal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup is to make the country’s supporters proud as the team steps up preparations for the tournament next month.
Speaking to Qatar News Agency, Lopetegui said Qatar had overcome disruption to its World Cup preparations after the cancellation of the Qatar Festival in March, which was set to feature friendlies against world champions Argentina national football team and Serbia national football team amid regional tensions.
“It was a difficult period not only for Qatar, but for all the countries in the region,” Lopetegui said, adding that the cancellation of the two high-profile friendlies forced the team to alter its plans and instead hold a 10-day training camp.
“Two extremely important matches had to be cancelled, and they would have represented a major test for the team.”
Qatar will now continue preparations with friendlies against Sudan national football team in Doha, Republic of Ireland national football team in Dublin and El Salvador national football team in Los Angeles before opening their World Cup campaign.
Lopetegui said difficult matches were essential in assessing the team’s level, citing last year’s home defeat to Russia national football team as a valuable lesson before playoff wins over Oman national football team and United Arab Emirates national football team secured qualification.
Qatar were drawn in Group B alongside Switzerland national football team, Canada national football team and Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team.
“We have to be ready to face Switzerland,” Lopetegui said. “They are maybe one of the more balanced teams in Europe in the last eight years. They have the same coach and players competing in the Champions League, Premier League, Serie A and La Liga.”
He added that Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina would present equally demanding challenges, especially after Bosnia qualified at the expense of Italy national football team.
“We earned the right to be at the World Cup and we must now be ready to do our best while remaining humble,” Lopetegui said. “We are not better than them, but we have to compete against them with our ambitions. Our dream is to be competitive in the World Cup.”
The Spaniard said Qatar’s current focus was on improving physically and mentally ahead of the tournament, including adapting to morning kickoffs unfamiliar to many players.
Lopetegui also downplayed the importance of individuals despite the presence of stars such as Akram Afif and the return from injury of all-time leading scorer Almoez Ali.
“Our strength is not one name. Our strength is to do our best as a team,” he said.
He said Almoez had struggled for rhythm after a long injury layoff and multiple surgeries, having played only limited minutes this season.
“I hope he will improve step by step,” Lopetegui added, while noting that Afif’s regular playing time at club level had been positive for both player and national team.
Qatar began a domestic training camp on May 12 with an expanded 34-man preliminary squad ahead of the tournament.
