Doha, September 19 (QNA) - Former Qatar national team players have expressed confidence in the national team's ability to mount a strong challenge for the title at the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup, which Saudi Arabia will host from September 23 to October 6.
Speaking to the Qatar News Agency (QNA), the former players said Qatar have the credentials to compete for a fourth Gulf Cup title, having previously lifted the trophy in 1992, 2004 and 2014. They highlighted the team's technical stability, continuity in its squad and the experience accumulated through continental and international competitions as important factors heading into the tournament.
Qatar's participation in the Gulf Cup has attracted particular attention, with the squad featuring most of the players who have formed the core of the national team in recent years. The group includes players who have featured in FIFA World Cup qualifying campaigns and finals, as well as experienced members who helped Qatar win the AFC Asian Cup in 2019 and 2023.
Former Qatar international Abdulaziz Hassan said the participation of the national team's leading players would add strength to the tournament, noting the special significance the Gulf Cup holds for teams and fans across the region.
The former Qatar SC star said Qatar have a realistic chance of challenging for the title, while stressing that the competition would not be easy given the closely matched levels of the participating teams and the possibility of surprises during the tournament.
He added that managing pressure effectively and maintaining focus from the opening match would be among the key factors for success.
Hassan said Qatar must collect points early in the tournament before entering the knockout rounds, where there is little room for error or recovery. He also stressed that psychological and physical readiness would be just as important as technical preparation in a tournament of this nature.
He noted that Qatar's results at the 2026 FIFA World Cup had fallen short of expectations, but said the team had faced several challenges, including injuries, a dip in form among some players and the advancing age of a number of experienced members. These factors, he said, should be taken into account when assessing the team's recent phase.
Hassan stressed that the next stage would require the team to adapt to different circumstances while maintaining stability and gradually introducing new options, helping Qatar remain competitive in upcoming competitions.
In turn, former Qatar and Al Arabi star Raed Yacoub, meanwhile, said Qatar's participation in this edition of the Gulf Cup would be different from the previous two editions, citing greater technical stability and continuity in the squad compared with the changes in coaching staff and player selections witnessed in earlier campaigns.
He said the current squad includes most of the players who featured in World Cup qualifying campaigns and finals and contributed to Qatar's Asian Cup triumphs in 2019 and 2023. This, he added, provides the team with valuable experience in handling high-profile matches and the pressure that accompanies them.
Yacoub said these factors make it important for Qatar to target a place in the final and compete for the title, adding that the experience within the squad should give the team greater ability to navigate the different stages of the tournament.
At the same time, he underlined the importance of renewal and providing opportunities for younger players, describing the Gulf Cup as an appropriate platform for them to gain experience and exposure. He nevertheless stressed that having a group of experienced players would be a positive factor in a short tournament where there is little margin for error.
Yacoub also pointed to the psychological and motivational aspects of the competition, saying the challenge extends beyond technical considerations, particularly given the high expectations, strong competition and closely matched levels among the participating teams.
For his part, former Qatar top scorer Meshaal Abdullah said the national team should be competing for the title, particularly as the reigning Asian champions and with a squad containing players who have accumulated considerable experience over recent years, alongside the team's technical stability.
He noted that the latest squad included three new players, Hashem Ali, Naif Al Hadhrami and Tahseen Mohammed, following their performances for their respective clubs. He described their inclusion as an important first step that could provide a foundation for the team's broader renewal process.
Abdullah said the next phase would require the development of alternatives for players who have formed the backbone of the national team in recent years, particularly with Qatar preparing for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia. He stressed, however, that the transition and renewal process should be gradual and carefully managed.
He added that entering the Gulf Cup with the current squad reflects a clear desire to compete for the title rather than treating the tournament merely as a preparatory stage for future commitments. He said Qatar possess the experience and quality needed to progress deep into the competition.
Qatar's participation in the Gulf Cup comes at an important stage for the national team as it seeks to rebuild confidence following its 2026 World Cup campaign and begin a new phase combining the experience of established players with opportunities for emerging talent.
The tournament will also provide an important test for the national team's coaching staff, led by Spanish coach Julen Lopetegui, amid the importance of securing positive results and making the most of the current stability within the squad while preparing for upcoming continental commitments.
Qatar will open their Gulf Cup campaign against defending champions Bahrain on September 24 at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium. The match is part of Group B, which also includes the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. (QNA)