From Doubt to Dawn: Lopetegui Trials a Bold Qatar in the Arab Cup

New Era Sparks for Qatar Under Lopetegui

The Qatar national team has faced heavy fixture pressure ahead of the 2022 World Cup, and the toll lingered long after the tournament, with stars such as Hassan Al-Haydos and Saad Shib looking worn.

That strain affected the team’s form and results in the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The squad endured a tough third phase of qualification and had to pass through the so‑called Asian Playoff, hosting Group 1 matches on home soil.

The path to qualification was narrow, with the “Al Annabi” earning the playoff berth that goes to the group winner in the Asian Playoff by a hair, after drawing with Oman and a hard-fought win over the UAE.

Rebuilding

It seems that time for change and rebuilding the Qatari squad was overdue and did not truly begin until Spanish coach Julen Lopetegui took charge, starting to implement gradual changes in the team’s look.

He began by keeping key veterans, such as Akram Afif, Hassan Al-Haydos, Boualem Khoki, Karem Boudiaf, and Almoez Ali, while recalling Al-Haydos from international retirement. He also handed opportunities to younger players in several warm-up matches, notably against Zimbabwe, underscoring his aim to forge a new generation ready to prove themselves in World Cup qualifiers and the Arab Cup.

His focus has been on building cohesion and a strong collective, returning to solid organization and attention to physical, tactical, and small details that make the difference in big games.

Already, Lopetegui has helped bring through a generation that blends experience with youth, led by goalkeeper Mohammed Abu Nada who shone in the fourth stage of the Asian qualifiers, alongside Khaled Mohammed, Mohammed Wade, Mustafa Mushaal, Ahmed Al-Rawi, Nabil Erfan, and others.

It is expected that the Arab Cup squad will feature a significant number of youngsters, given Lopetegui’s plan to prepare them for the global stage next year.

Big ambitions

At the same time, the national team will not back down from challenging for the Arab Cup title, especially since the tournament takes place on home soil from December 1 to 18.

The Spaniard has stated that his goal is to reach at least the semi-finals or final, and he has hinted that he will rotate between veterans and youth to give everyone a chance to prove themselves.

This approach signals a more open and renewal-oriented philosophy than in recent years, when the game often revolved around a small group of stars.

However, Qatar will need to guard against an early exit from the Arab Cup, a FIFA-endorsed event that will influence the world ranking ahead of the next World Cup draw.

Tough group, bold plan

It is expected that Al Annabi will face a stiff challenge in Group 1, which Tunisia has already qualified for directly, while the other slots will be decided in upcoming qualifying ties between Syria and South Sudan, and Palestine and Libya, with the winners advancing to the main rounds.

In any case, the Arab Cup provides a key chance for Qatar to shake off the cobwebs, prove its ability to compete after a period of changes, and gain tactical momentum for the global stage next year.

For Lopetegui, the tournament represents an opportunity to give the Al Annabi a new tactical impetus and to open the door for youth, a test of whether Qatar has moved past doubt and is on the road back to glory.

It is worth noting that Lopetegui took charge of Qatar at a pivotal moment, coinciding with the Asian qualifiers’ decisive stages.

The Spaniard has faced challenges in this role, a coach who has previously led Spain and clubs like Real Madrid, Sevilla, Porto, and sides in the English league circuit.

When Lopetegui was appointed in May, the aim of the QFA wasn’t merely World Cup qualification; it was to leverage European experience to elevate Qatari football as a whole.

With these changes, the Al Annabi aims to show the world in the Arab Cup that they can renew and build toward a bright future for Qatari football, which has already achieved many achievements in recent years.

Punchline 1: If patience were a tactic, Lopetegui would be a master strategist by now.

Punchline 2: In this rebuild, the only thing sharper than Qatar’s passes might be the coach’s jokes—deadly accurate, with a smile.