Qatar players in action during their final training session prior to their departure for Austria, at the Aspire Academy yesterday.
Doha, Qatar: Asian champions Qatar will embark on their Gold Cup journey today with Austria training camp being the first stop ahead of their return to the premier Concacaf tournament as a guest side.
After a three-day training camp at the Aspire Academy, Al Annabi led by new coach Carlos Queiroz will fly to Vienna today for the second phase of their preparation for the tournament.
The training camp in Vienna will continue until June 19 before the national squad will fly to the US where they will face Mexico, Haiti and Honduras in Group B of the Gold Cup.
During their training camp in Austria, Qatar will also play three friendly games against Croatia (June 8), Jamaica (June 15) and New Zealand (June 19).
Queiroz, who replaced Spaniard Felix Sanchez after Qatar’s first round exit at the FIFA World Cup, included many new faces while snubbing several senior stars in his new-look 26-player squad last month. The Portuguese veteran’s main targets are the successful qualifying campaign for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the Asian Cup title defence.
During their training camp at Aspire Academy which concluded yesterday, Al Annabi players promised to give their best on their return to the Gold Cup after the 2021 edition where they reached the semi-finals on their debut appearance.
Qatar coach Carlos Queiroz in action during the training camp.
“We are focused in our training for the Gold Cup. All the players are looking forward to prove themselves particularly the new players,” midfielder Tariq Salman said on sidelines of the camp.
“We reached the semi-finals when we competed in the Gold Cup for the first time. We are returning to the tournament with high ambitions. It is an important tournament as it is a first challenge for us under a new coach before the World Cup Qualifiers and the Asian Cup,” he added.
Jassem Jaber hoped the team will live up to expectations under Queiroz.
“We are trying to learn coach’s ideas and will give our best to implement them on the field. We know the task is difficult in presence on strong sides but we are determined to do well,” said the Al Arabi star.
Speaking on the inclusion on youngsters in the squad, he said: “It’s a great opportunity for young players. The absence of senior players will not put pressure on the team. We will give teamwork with an aim to reach far in the Gold Cup.”
Goalkeeper Jassim Al Hail, who also represents Al Arabi, said it was a great honour for him to join the national squad.
“Every one of us is aiming to do well and contribute for the team with the best effort. We are working hard in the training camp to enter the tournament well prepared,” he said.
Qatar will play their Gold Cup group matches in the United States. They will start their campaign against Haiti on June 26 at NRG Stadium in Houston with the match scheduled to kick off at 1:00am (Qatar time zone). Al Annabi will next meet Honduras on June 30 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale before squaring off with Concacaf giants Mexico in their final group tie on July 3 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
After the Gold Cup, Al Annabi will begin their World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign this November before the Asian Cup, which will be played January 12 to February 10, 2024 in Qatar.
