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Qatar focused on title defence
Kuala Lumpur: Qatar look well equipped to defend their AFC Asian Cup™ title on home soil as Carlos Queiroz continues with his mission to build a side capable of challenging on the world stage.
Qatar’s FIFA World Cup debut last year ended with three defeats and Queiroz, upon his appointment as head coach in February, said his immediate task was to rebuild the team.
Factfile
FIFA World Ranking: 61
Previous Appearances: 10
Best Finish: Champions – 2019
2019 Result: Champions
Head Coach: Carlos Queiroz (POR)
Fun Fact: Qatar’s previous best prior to winning the 2019 title was quarter-final appearances in 2000 and 2011
Previous Appearances: 10
Best Finish: Champions – 2019
2019 Result: Champions
Head Coach: Carlos Queiroz (POR)
Fun Fact: Qatar’s previous best prior to winning the 2019 title was quarter-final appearances in 2000 and 2011
The experienced tactician’s work is already delivering results as after experimenting with players in a series of friendlies, Qatar looked extremely potent in their recent Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group A matches.
An 8-1 win over Afghanistan at home was followed by a 3-0 defeat of India away as Qatar took their first steps towards qualifying for the FIFA World Cup on merit.
More importantly, the likes of Almoez Ali and Akram Afif look to have regained the sharpness that played such a pivotal role in Qatar emerging AFC Asian Cup champions in 2019.
Drawn in Group A, Qatar should face no problems in advancing to the knockout stage with Queiroz adamant that defending the title is their target.
Qatar’s Group A fixtures
January 12
v Lebanon (19:00 local time, Lusail Stadium)
January 17
v Tajikistan (17:30 local time, Al Bayt Stadium)
January 22
v China PR (18:00 local time, Khalifa International Stadium)
Qatar focused on title defence
Kuala Lumpur: Qatar look well equipped to defend their AFC Asian Cup™ title on home soil as Carlos Queiroz continues with his mission to build a side capable of challenging on the world stage.
Qatar’s FIFA World Cup debut last year ended with three defeats and Queiroz, upon his appointment as head coach in February, said his immediate task was to rebuild the team.
Factfile
FIFA World Ranking: 61
Previous Appearances: 10
Best Finish: Champions – 2019
2019 Result: Champions
Head Coach: Carlos Queiroz (POR)
Fun Fact: Qatar’s previous best prior to winning the 2019 title was quarter-final appearances in 2000 and 2011
Previous Appearances: 10
Best Finish: Champions – 2019
2019 Result: Champions
Head Coach: Carlos Queiroz (POR)
Fun Fact: Qatar’s previous best prior to winning the 2019 title was quarter-final appearances in 2000 and 2011
The experienced tactician’s work is already delivering results as after experimenting with players in a series of friendlies, Qatar looked extremely potent in their recent Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group A matches.
An 8-1 win over Afghanistan at home was followed by a 3-0 defeat of India away as Qatar took their first steps towards qualifying for the FIFA World Cup on merit.
More importantly, the likes of Almoez Ali and Akram Afif look to have regained the sharpness that played such a pivotal role in Qatar emerging AFC Asian Cup champions in 2019.
Drawn in Group A, Qatar should face no problems in advancing to the knockout stage with Queiroz adamant that defending the title is their target.
Qatar’s Group A fixtures
January 12
v Lebanon (19:00 local time, Lusail Stadium)
January 17
v Tajikistan (17:30 local time, Al Bayt Stadium)
January 22
v China PR (18:00 local time, Khalifa International Stadium)
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