Vancouver, June 19 - Qatar head coach Julen Lopetegui insisted that his side's 6-0 defeat to Canada in their second Group B match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup has not ended their hopes of reaching the Round of 32.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, the Spanish coach described the first red card shown to left-back Homam Al Amin as a major turning point in the match, particularly as it came shortly after Canada had taken the lead following the opening quarter-hour.
Lopetegui explained that the coaching staff had been preparing tactical adjustments aimed at increasing the team's attacking effectiveness before the dismissal altered the course of the contest. He added that the situation became even more challenging after Qatar received a second red card in the second half.
"The most important thing now is to help the players recover physically and mentally after a demanding match," Lopetegui said. "We must ensure they are fully prepared and focused for the decisive final group match against Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 24."
The Qatar coach noted that the team will be without both Homam Al Amin and Assim Madibo for the next match following their dismissals against Canada. He described the pair as important members of the squad but expressed confidence in the ability of the available players to step in and fill the gap.
Lopetegui stressed that the final group-stage fixture would be no less difficult than the previous two matches, adding that Bosnia and Herzegovina present a different challenge and would require thorough preparation.
He concluded by emphasizing that Qatar had qualified for the World Cup on merit through the qualification process and still retained a chance of progressing beyond the group stage. He urged his players to put the defeat behind them and focus fully on the upcoming encounter with Bosnia and Herzegovina, which he described as the team's final opportunity to keep its qualification hopes alive. (QNA)