Qatar face a new challenge in Saudi Arabia when they begin their Gulf Cup campaign, with the tournament offering an early opportunity to assess the team after its World Cup experience. The players have already started the new club season, giving most of the squad competitive minutes before joining up with coach Julen Lopetegui. More importantly, Lopetegui remains in charge, providing continuity after a World Cup campaign that produced both a historic first point and some difficult moments.
Under the Spaniard, Qatar qualified for the World Cup through the traditional qualifying route for the first time. They then earned a 1-1 draw against Switzerland to claim their first point at the tournament, although defeats to Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina exposed areas that still need improvement against top-level opposition. Qatar will face familiar regional opponents and will be expected to compete strongly at the Gulf Cup.
The decision to retain the core of the World Cup squad is significant. Pedro Miguel, Boualem Khoukhi, Karim Boudiaf, Assim Madibo, Abdulaziz Hatem, Akram Afif and Almoez Ali are among the experienced players who remain central to the team. Afif and Almoez will again be key figures in attack, while Hassan Al Haydos brings experience and leadership to a squad that also includes younger players such as Naif Al Hadrami and Hashim Ali. Tarek Salman’s return adds another option in defence.
For Lopetegui, continuity should make it easier to build on the work done during World Cup qualifying and the finals. The challenge now is to turn that familiarity into more consistent performances.
The Gulf Cup should also provide opportunities for players to strengthen their claims and give the coach a clearer picture of his options. The regional tournament is a chance to compete for another title while also showing how much the team has learned from its biggest international test.
There is also a bigger picture as Qatar will defend their Asian Cup title in Saudi Arabia next January. Qatar will be bidding for a third successive Asian Cup title at the tournament.
However, the immediate focus should be on the Gulf Cup and on building a stronger team. Qatar begin their campaign against defending champions Bahrain on September 24, followed by Yemen and the UAE. The Gulf Cup is the immediate challenge, but how Qatar respond in Saudi Arabia could offer useful indications of where Al Annabi stand after the World Cup.
Historically, Kuwait have been the most successful team in the Gulf Cup, lifting the title 10 times. Iraq have won it four times, with Saudi Arabia and Qatar claiming three titles each. Oman, the UAE and Bahrain have two titles apiece, while Yemen are still searching for their first Gulf Cup triumph.
Under Lopetegui, Qatar have already achieved significant milestones, but the Gulf Cup presents another opportunity to show progress. The tournament will offer Al Annabi a chance to build confidence, test their options and turn their World Cup experience into lessons for the challenges ahead.
