Qatar coach Carlos Queiroz speaks during a press conference, yesterday.
Three months after being appointed as Qatar coach, veteran Carlos Queiroz yesterday revealed his plan with the national side, terming Al Annabi’s successful qualifying campaign for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as biggest goal of his latest coaching stint.
In his first press conference as Qatar coach, the former Portugal and Real Madrid boss, who replaced Spaniard Felix Sanchez in February following Qatar’s World Cup campaign, also announced a 26-player squad ahead of the forthcoming Gold Cup, leaving out several senior players by bringing in new faces.
The 70-year old said after the June 16-July 16 Gold Cup, his next targets will be to prepare team for the World Cup qualifying tournament to start this November, and the Asian Cup title defence early next year.
“It will be a marathon journey. It is my dream to help Qatar qualify for the first time in the World Cup,” Queiroz said referring to the 48-team World Cup to be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
“I have 44 years of experience with me but I feel like I am starting a new career. I am very excited and it’s a privilege for me to lead Qatar team for which I am thankful to the Qatar Football Association and all the fans,” the Portuguese said at a press conference that lasted over an hour.
“It’s my new home, my new family and it is not a time to make promises but to deliver,” he added.
Talent and Programme Identification ahead of Gold Cup
Yesterday, the squad announcement raised a few eyebrows as experienced players including captain Hassan Al Haydos, Akram Afif, goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb, Boualem Khoukhi, Karim Boudiaf, Pedro Miguel and Abdulaziz Hatem were left out.
All these players were part of the squad that featured in the World Cup where team lost all their three group matches as debutants and hosts. The snubbed players were also a part of the team that lifted the maiden Asian title in the UAE in 2019. Queiroz explained he first formed the pool of 66 players before reducing it to 44 players prior to the final 26-player squad announcement.
“Since coming here, I’ve watched domestic games, videos of 23 matches of the national team and their matches of the Gulf Cup. I continued to watch them day and night and also spoke to club coaches,” he said.
According to Queiroz, the aim to introduce new players was to expand the pool of national players rather than expelling the senior players.
“It’s not a question of exclusion but it is about inclusion of new players who are rewarded for their performances. The word exclusion is not in my dictionary. Also, it is a right decision to rest some players,” the coach said while answering a query on the snubbed seniors.
“Qatar teams should have no egos. We want to have the best players on the pitch. The door is always open for others and they will get attention to make a comeback. It’s important for some players to have a break and it is also an opportunity for others as it can build competition for places,” he added.
Speaking on Gold Cup preparation which is underway, the coach said after the home camp, Qatar’s second preparatory phase will start on May 29 in Austria, Vienna during which the team will also play friendly games against Croatia, Jamaica and New Zealand before departing for the USA.
Entering as a guest side for second time in the tournament, Al Annabi will open their Gold Cup campaign against Haiti on June 24 in Houston. The Asian champions then take on Honduras on June 29 in Glendale, Arizona before wrapping up their Group B matches against heavyweights Mexico on July 2 in Santa Clara, California.
Asian Cup title defence ‘a mountain to climb’
Meanwhile, Queiroz said Qatar face an uphill task of defending their Asian title at home.
“Qatar won the 2019 Asian Cup. But, today, we are ranked sixth in Asia – five other Asian teams are in front of us. Japan, South Korea, Australia, Iran and Saudi Arabia are ahead of us. Then we have Iraq and the UAE. This is exactly the mountain we need to climb. We need to be ready to defend the Asian title and it won’t be easy,” he said.
Qatar are placed with China, Tajikistan and Lebanon in Group A of the continental showpiece to be played from January 12 to February 10, 2024.
The veteran coach added Qatar’s World Cup will start on November 13, 2023 when the side will play its first qualifying game.
“We don’t have too much time as we have 183 days to start our World Cup. We cannot climb mountain with one step, we have to take many steps. If we have to be the best, we need to be the best and compete and challenge the best,” he said.
“All the games will be challenging for us. We can improve our rankings. It’s the attitude we must have to work hard every single day. Qatar delivered the best World Cup now it’s time to deliver on the pitch,” he added.
If Queiroz successfully guides Qatar to the 2026 World Cup, it would be the veteran coach’s fifth appearance at the finals, having led his native Portugal in 2010 before taking Iran to the tournaments in Brazil, Russia and Qatar.
Queiroz also requested fans to keep coming to stadiums to back Al Annabi.
“The fans are our 12th player and we need their consistent support in this challenge,” he said.
