Doha, October 05 (QNA) - Former players have expressed confidence in the Qatar national football team's ability to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, as the team prepares to begin its campaign in the fourth round of the Asian qualifiers against Oman next Wednesday at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium.
Six Asian teams are set to compete for the two remaining World Cup spots as the Asian play-offs approach. The teams have been divided into two groups: Group A includes Qatar, the UAE, and Oman, while Group B features Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Indonesia. The winner of each group will qualify directly for the finals, joining the six Asian sides that have already secured their places.
Former national team player Hassan Matar told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that victory in the opening match against Oman is crucial for Qatar to take its first major step toward qualification and build confidence ahead of its second fixture against the UAE on October 14.
Matar noted that the national team did not perform to its usual standard during the third round and missed an early chance to qualify following a series of inconsistent results. However, he said the current stage presents an ideal opportunity for the team to get back on track, especially with the qualifiers being hosted in Doha.
He emphasized that experience will be vital in matches of this nature, which require determination, tactical discipline, and a strong fighting spirit, adding that a positive result in the opening match would provide a significant boost ahead of the decisive encounter.
Matar expressed hope that the key players would be in peak physical and mental condition and take advantage of home support to secure a strong start. He stressed that small details often make the difference in such matches, calling for minimal errors and sustained focus from start to finish.
For his part, Abdulaziz Hassan, another former Qatari international, said the players now possess the experience needed to handle high-pressure matches. He added that playing in Doha before a passionate home crowd will motivate the team to deliver a strong performance and rebound from the disappointment of the previous round.
He highlighted that the current squad includes outstanding attacking talents such as Akram Afif, Almoez Ali, and Edmilson, who are capable of making the difference in key moments. He stressed that both matches demand maximum effort and that the team must maintain top technical and tactical levels to overcome strong competition.
Hassan added that the levels of Qatar, Oman, and the UAE are relatively close, meaning their chances of qualification are evenly matched, but warned that Qatar must avoid dropping points, particularly in the opening fixture against Oman, which he described as pivotal on the road to the World Cup finals.
Meanwhile, former national team player Hassan Al Otaibi told QNA that the fourth-round matches require the team to enter with determination and focus on securing victories in both games. He underscored the importance of the opening match against Oman, describing it as particularly difficult yet decisive.
Al Otaibi noted that opening fixtures in qualifiers are always the most challenging, but expressed confidence that the players' experience will play a key role, especially as Qatar has faced both Oman and the UAE on several occasions in recent years.
He added that the Asian play-offs resemble knockout matches that leave no room for error, stressing that victory is the only path to qualification.
He also pointed to the need for the technical staff, led by Spanish coach Julen Lopetegui, to find effective attacking solutions while maintaining defensive balance.
Al Otaibi concluded by emphasizing that the coach’s selection of the right starting lineup will be decisive in achieving the desired results and enabling the team to impose its playing style and identity on opponents.
The fourth-round matches of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be played in a single-round league format, with the Qatar Football Association hosting Group A fixtures and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation hosting Group B matches.
The Qatar national team, crowned Asian champions in 2019 and 2023, will aim to reach the World Cup finals for the second time in its history, following its debut appearance as host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. (QNA)