Oman vs Qatar: A World Cup Dream on the Line as Queiroz and Lopetegui Rally Their Sides

Match Preview: Oman vs Qatar in Asia World Cup Qualifiers

Oman’s head coach Carlos Queiroz insists his side does not deem itself superior to Qatar ahead of Wednesday’s showdown at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, the opening round of Group A in the AFC Asian Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, which also features the United Arab Emirates.

Queiroz spoke at a Tuesday press conference: "We are ready for the match, and all players have the motivation and confidence to perform well and secure a positive result. We understand the challenge, and our team carries high spirit and determination. Our aim is to make this game a memorable moment in Omani football history."

He added: "The two teams are evenly matched, and we have great respect for Qatar. Yet our focus remains on ourselves—preparing thoroughly, pursuing victory, and chasing the dream of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico."

On the other side, Qatar’s coach Julien Lopetegui said: "We face a strong opponent, and the match will not be easy for either side. We are ready for this kind of game and confident in our ability to deliver the required performance. Qualifying for the World Cup is a dream shared by everyone here in Qatar."

He continued: "We are determined to qualify for the World Cup for ourselves, our fans, and everyone backing the team. We expect a large home crowd, which gives us extra motivation to win and keep morale high ahead of the UAE clash on October 14."

Oman captain Ali Al-Bosaydi commented: "We represent Oman and enter the match with the ambition to qualify and fulfill the World Cup dream. Pressure is part of football, and we are ready to give our all to please our fans and fight for the nation."

Boualem Khochi of Qatar added: "Our fans are the strongest element and the main support. We hope they back us from warm-up to final whistle. We know the game will be tough and carry heavy responsibility, and qualifying is everyone’s dream, so we will fight to achieve it, God willing."

The match will be officiated by a Japanese refereeing team led by center official Yusuke Araki, with Kota Watanabe and Rio Tanimoto as assistants, and Gumbi Eida as the video official alongside Hiroki Kasahara as another VAR official.

Oman, so-called the Red, aim to reach the World Cup for the first time under Queiroz, concentrating on tactical organization and defensive discipline.

Qatar, meanwhile, under Lopetegui, seeks consistency after a single win in four matches since May. They target World Cup qualification for the first time since hosting in 2022, aiming to reach the tournament in 2026 as the host nation once again.

The two teams are chasing top spot in Group A, with second place earning a playoff path. Tonight’s training will be open to media for 15 minutes as per FIFA guidelines as both sides tune up for a crucial game that carries significant weight in their qualification efforts for 2026.

Looking ahead, the second round of the group takes place next Saturday with UAE vs Oman, while the third and final round on October 14 will see Qatar face the UAE, a schedule that could redefine the group’s pecking order in the race to the World Cup. Both teams will be hoping to peak at the right moment as they push toward the ultimate goal of a place in the 2026 tournament.

KOOORA

And if you’re wondering about the vibe: think tense, think tactical, think a crowd-driven atmosphere that could tilt the momentum. The match symbolism here goes beyond three points; it’s a step toward a historic milestone for Oman and a reaffirmation of Qatar’s bold World Cup ambitions.

Match Context and Stakes

The clash marks a pivotal moment in Asia’s World Cup qualifying arc for 2026, with the road to the finals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico just beginning for these two Middle Eastern neighbors. Queiroz’s Oman is pressing to translate discipline and organization into a landmark achievement, while Lopetegui’s Qatar is chasing consistency to unlock a deep playoff push that could redefine their trajectory in world football.