With the third round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers now firmly in the rearview mirror, Qatar are setting their sights on the crucial next step in their quest for a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. A 3-0 defeat to Uzbekistan earlier this month in Tashkent may have closed that chapter on a disappointing note, but it has not derailed Al Annabi’s ambitions.
The reigning two-time Asian champions have advanced to the fourth round and they do so with focus, intent and a renewed sense of purpose. Qatar’s progression was fueled by a significant high point: a 1-0 victory over Iran in Doha that secured a top-four finish in Group A, enough to guarantee passage to the next stage. The mood within the camp remains constructive.
Rather than allowing the Uzbekistan defeat to linger, the squad has chosen to treat it as a valuable learning experience. “We’ll learn from this experience,” said goalkeeper Salah Zakaria, one of the few standout performers on that difficult night. “There are still points to be earned, and we’re hopeful of qualifying for the World Cup.”
The structure of the fourth round presents both opportunity and pressure. Under head coach Julen Lopetegui, Qatar are set to face tough opponents in the next stage. Besides Al Annabi, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Iraq, Oman and the United Arab Emirates will feature in the next stage which will have two groups of three teams each.
Only the group winners will earn direct qualification for the World Cup, while the runners-up will be forced into yet another playoff round. The draw is scheduled for July 17 and the decisive matches will be played in October giving Lopetegui and his staff a crucial few months to prepare.
Preparation is already underway. “The next round is pivotal, and we have no choice but to win and qualify,” said midfielder Assim Madibo, capturing the sense of urgency within the squad. There is no room for error at this stage and the players know it. What Qatar do have, however, is depth and experience.
Boasting seasoned players like Akram Afif, Almoez Ali, and Pedro Miguel, along with emerging talents such as Amro Surag, Qatar still possess the depth and quality to make a strong push for the global stage.
Former Real Madrid and Spain coach Lopetegui, still new to the Qatar role, has shown glimpses of what this team can become under his guidance. His next task is to build resilience and tactical discipline into a squad that clearly has the ambition to achieve the task of qualifying for the World Cup.
