Doha: Executive Director of the Qatar National Teams, Talal Al Kaabi, emphasized the importance of a thoroughgoing and objective assessment of the Qatar National Team's participation in the FIFA World Cup 2026. He highlighted the need to examine both positive and negative aspects of the team's competitions, from the qualifying campaign through their World Cup matches. According to Qatar News Agency, Al Kaabi warned against hastening prejudgments on the team's results, stressing that the focus should be on building on successes and addressing shortfalls for future participations. He noted the team's historic milestone of qualifying for the World Cup following their appearance as hosts in 2022, marking a significant achievement and underscoring the footballers' impressive performance during the qualifying campaign. Al Kaabi acknowledged the contributions of past and present generations, emphasizing their role in enhancing Qatari football's global standing, notably after winning the Asian Cup twice. He highlig hted the team's participation in international tournaments like the CONCACAF Gold Cup, Copa America, and UEFA European Qualifiers, which contributed to their advancement. He pointed out challenges such as technical instability due to changes in head coaching, culminating in the appointment of Spanish head coach Julen Lopetegui. Al Kaabi underscored the need for stability in coaching staff and support for players and operational members to achieve the program's objectives. Al Kaabi mentioned regional disruptions that affected preparation schedules, particularly international friendlies. Nonetheless, he assured that planning for future phases is underway, involving all national sides and coordination with domestic clubs for local and international competitions. He advocated for a fully integrated system with a long-term vision as essential for national team success. Discussing squad renewal, Al Kaabi noted the importance of experienced players while integrating young prospects in a structured plan to maintai n team identity and competitiveness. Ahead of upcoming competitions, Al Kaabi detailed the preparation program for the AFC Asian Cup finals in Saudi Arabia, including international friendlies and participation in the Gulf Cup. He stressed the importance of maximizing FIFA international windows to fine-tune the squad. Al Kaabi called for increased domestic competition minutes for players to enhance development and expand the talent pool. He mentioned efforts by the Qatar Football Association and Qatar Stars League to align the domestic calendar with international commitments to support national team preparation. In conclusion, Al Kaabi affirmed that football success relies on continuous development and long-term planning rather than single matches, with the broader aim of strengthening Qatar's presence in continental and global football.
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