Lopetegui calls for ‘utmost effort’ in pursuit of World Cup dream

Doha, Qatar: As Qatar kick off their campaign in the decisive stage of World Cup qualification with a clash against Oman today, head coach Julen Lopet...

Doha, Qatar: As Qatar kick off their campaign in the decisive stage of World Cup qualification with a clash against Oman today, head coach Julen Lopetegui has called on his players to stay mentally strong and give their utmost effort to keep their dream of reaching football’s biggest stage alive.

In what is their opening Group A match of the play-off round – the fourth stage of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – hosts Qatar will be aiming for a strong start with a win over Oman at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, hoping to build momentum ahead of their clash with the UAE on October 14.

Group B features hosts Saudi Arabia, along with Iraq and Indonesia. Both groups follow a single round-robin format, with the group toppers securing their World Cup qualification berth.

Meanwhile, the runners-up from each group will face off in a two-legged play-off next month, with the winner advancing to the FIFA Play-Off Tournament, where one final spot at the World Cup awaits.

Qatar have never qualified for the World Cup through the standard qualification process, having only made their tournament debut as hosts in 2022.