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Doha, Qatar: Despite his extensive experience in international football with Spain, Julen Lopetegui (pictured) has never coached at a FIFA World Cup.
He came close to leading La Roja in Russia in 2018, only for fate to deny him that moment at the final hurdle. Now, the opportunity returns – this time in the colours of Qatar.
Standing once again on the brink of the world’s biggest tournament, Lopetegui will aim to prove that postponed dreams can still find their stage at the FIFA World Cup 2026. Lopetegui was the architect who reshaped the tactical identity of Spain’s national teams across several age groups, leaving his imprint on an entire generation of players.
Under his leadership, Spain rediscovered their authority following UEFA EURO 2016 and stormed through qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia with attacking flair and defensive solidity.
The Qatar national team required a builder – a coach capable of nurturing talent and integrating it into a competitive system able to challenge the world’s elite in North America.
The task has not been straightforward. Qatar were forced into the fourth round of Asian qualifying after a turbulent campaign, and their early group-stage exit at the recent FIFA Arab Cup served as a warning for the broader footballing landscape.
Qatar began the second round of Asian qualifying strongly, topping their group on 16 points with five wins and one draw. However, the third round presented a sterner test. Drawn in a group alongside Iran, Uzbekistan and the UAE, Qatar faced fierce competition.
A 3-1 home defeat to the UAE and a draw with North Korea set the tone for an inconsistent campaign. Although victories over Kyrgyz Republic and Uzbekistan offered hope, heavy defeats, including a 4-1 loss to Iran and a 5-0 setback against the UAE, saw Qatar finish fourth on 13 points, behind the two direct qualifiers.
Appointed in early May 2025, Lopetegui guided Qatar into the decisive fourth round knowing there was no room for error. Drawn alongside the UAE and Oman, his side drew 0-0 with the latter before facing a crucial encounter against the UAE in Doha, where they secured a 2-1 victory that secured Qatar’s place at the World Cup for the first time via qualification. For Lopetegui, the 2026 tournament represents a unique chapter – his first World Cup as a head coach. It also comes amid scrutiny following recent inconsistencies in Qatar’s results.
The draw has placed them in Group B alongside Switzerland, Canada and the winner of European Play-off Path 1 – a group that offers genuine opportunity for Al Annabi to make history and reach the knockout stage.
History suggests that great coaches often thrive under pressure. Lopetegui, watched by the world, will seek to demonstrate that Qatar’s qualification was no accident, and that his absence from the bench in Russia was merely a postponement of a World Cup story still waiting to be fully told. (FIFA)
