Qatar’s preparations for the World Cup were disrupted when the US-Iran war led to the cancellation of friendlies against Serbia and champions Argentina in March. Coach Julen Lopetegui, appointed in May 2025, sought as many minutes as possible with his players, but results before warm-up games were poor, with only one win in 11 matches. Qatar still reached the World Cup finals, finishing fourth in a six-team qualifying group, then qualifying through a 0-0 draw with Oman and a 2-1 win over the UAE aided by home advantage and a favorable schedule. The likely tournament formation is a 4-2-3-1, emphasizing defensive tightness and counterattacks against Canada, Switzerland, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
"The 2022 hosts' preparations for the tournament were disrupted as the US-Iran war caused the cancellation of valuable friendlies against Serbia and champions Argentina in March. The coach, Julen Lopetegui, had wanted as many minutes as possible with his players, having only been appointed in May 2025. Worryingly, they had won only one out of 11 games under the former Spain and Real Madrid manager before the World Cup warm-up games."
"Lopetegui did what he had to do though, making sure Qatar reached the World Cup finals, but it was a close call. The Maroons finished fourth out of six teams in the main qualifying group before aided by home advantage and a favourable schedule drawing 0-0 with Oman and beating UAE 2-1 to ensure qualification."
"The Spanish coach, the latest of several Iberian appointments (Felix Sanchez, Bruno Pinheiro, Carlos Queiroz, Tintin Marquez and Luis Garcia) has tried out several different formations but is likely to go with a 4-2-3-1 when the tournament starts. The lessons from the last World Cup have been debated at length."
"Then, it was over pretty much before it had started as the hosts, perhaps burdened by a buildup that lasted 12 years, went 2-0 down within 31 minutes of their opening game to Ecuador, and it could have been even more. Expect a more solid set-up this time around; a focus on keeping things tight and looking to hit group opponents Canada, Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina on the counter."
Read at www.theguardian.com
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