Qatar to take on Afghanistan in World Cup Qualifiers
DOHA - Qatar will begin their bid to qualify for the FIFA World Cup on merit for the first time when they kick off their Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2 campaign for the 2026 edition and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 against Afghanistan at the Khalifa International Stadium today.
Qatar’s inaugural participation as hosts of the global showpiece last year ended in the group stage with the highly experienced Carlos Queiroz now in charge of the squad. The former Iran head coach has been hard at work rebuilding the side and has named a blended squad of young talent and seasoned players for today’s tie against Afghanistan and against India five days later in Bhubaneswar.
Queiroz has said his mission is for Qatar to defend the AFC Asian Cup title on home soil in January and also seal qualification to the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027. That Qatar are in good hands is undeniable with Queiroz having been involved in the last four editions of the FIFA World Cup as head coach, three of them with Iran. The former Real Madrid tactician, however, has warned his team will not to take the Afghanistan side, who advanced to the second round after defeating Mongolia, lightly.
“We started preparations a week ago and I am happy with the commitment and discipline the players have reached,” he said at a press conference on Wednesday. “We are motivated to play good football that will live up to expectations and achieve success. We are currently entering a new challenge and we must work towards facing it. Afghanistan will come into the match with all focus and we must respect the opponent and give our best on the field,” the veteran Portuguese added.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s coach Ashley Westwood has urged his players to play for ‘self-esteem’. The Scotsman said: “The preparations for us were not worse than they are. We trained together yesterday here in Doha and we look forward to facing the Qatar national team in a positive manner.”
He added: “The players are eager to put on a good show and will give everything they have in the match. The motivation here is the wonderful atmosphere in Qatar, the stadium and the facilities.”
The other match in the Group A will see Kuwait hosting India in what promises to be an enticing affair. With Qatar the early favourites in Group, Kuwait and India will be eager to kick off with a win when they square off at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium today.
Kuwait, who did not qualify for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023, will be driven to deliver in Round 2 of the Preliminary Joint Qualification. AFC Asian Cup winners in 1980 and having made their sole FIFA World Cup appearance in the 1982 edition, Kuwait’s mission is to regain their status as one of Asia’s premier teams.
India, however, will not be easy opposition with the South Asian side also bent on making an impact. Head coach Igor Stimac said the target is to kick off their campaign with a victory, with the two sides having met in the 2023 SAFF Championship, with both matches ending in 1-1 draws.
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