Alkass Digital
Doha, Qatar: Back-to-back AFC Asian Cup champions Qatar will be back on the big stage once again on Thursday when they take on Kuwait in Group A of the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium at 9.30pm.
Coach Marquez Lopez’s side start as favourites against Kuwait, with Afghanistan playing India the same evening in the other Group A tie.
Al Annabi will be minus their former skipper Hassan Al Haydos, who recently announced retirement from international football, but the hosts have enough replacements and firepower in their armoury to fill in for the void.
Qatar had kicked off their bid to qualify for FIFA World Cup 2026 with wins over India and Afghanistan respectively.
Qatar then went on to defend their AFC Asian Cup title.
The Al Annabi had a robust run at the Asian Cup winning all their seven games including a perfect group stage scoring five goals and keeping their sheets clean in three games.
Now, already three points ahead at the top, Qatar will be expected to easily advance and wins over Kuwait in their double-header (they will play Kuwait again in Kuwait City on March 26) could well see them booking their spot early.
Speaking on the eve of the match, coach Lopez said, “Our preparations have been extremely short, and the match won’t be easy, but we are ready to face it and gain the three points. We achieved tremendous success by winning the Asian Cup title and now our next goal is to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, which is different from the Asian Cup.
“The team has a winning mentality, and we will give our best. After winning the Asian Cup title, the team is highly motivated and all the players want to continue the successful journey. It will be a difficult match against Kuwait but we are aiming to qualify for the World Cup as well as the Asian Cup. Like all of our opponents, we will respect Kuwait and will be completely focused.”
On there being pressure being Asian Cup champions, the coach added: “It is difficult for a champion side to maintain the same level but will give our best to maintain our form. These qualifiers have brought us a different challenge and motivation, and the prize of success will also be different. All our focus is on qualifying for these two major tournaments.”
On Al Haydos’ absence, Lopez said, “Hassan Al Haydos will leave a huge void in the team and the dressing room, and we are very grateful for everything he achieved with the team.”
On his part, Qatar player Jassim Gaber said the team’s morale was high. “We will play the first match after the Asian Cup and we are ready for the challenge. Our morale is high and we are looking forward to continuing the winning spree. We are hoping to play with the same momentum as we had during the Asian Cup.”
On missing Al Haydos, he said, “I want to thank captain Hassan Al Haydos, who played a big role with us as players on and off the field. We as players learned a lot from him, and I wish him success in his life and domestic career.”
For Kuwait, a win will take them level with Qatar and sets the stage for a thrilling battle.
Kuwait’s Portuguese coach Rui Bento, who took over the job in August 2022, succeeding compatriot Emilio Peixe, is looking to restore stability and build a team capable of advancing to the second round of the qualifiers. With significant shortage in the team’s ranks, Bento found alternative solutions seeking the help of Hamad Harbi, Mohammed Al Huwaidi, Youssef Nasser, Mohammed Dahham, and Faisal Zayed to add power to the team’s attack.
Speaking ahead of the clash with Qatar, Bento said, “We face Qatar, the Asian Cup champions. We are aware of the tough challenge against a champion side. The match will be very tough as we are facing a side which has experienced players, who have great potential.
“But we are ready for the match after having a good training camp in the UAE. We are looking forward to a winning performance.”
Kuwait had begun their campaign with a loss against India in November before bouncing with a win against Afghanistan.
Kuwait in their previous four World Cup qualifying encounters with Qatar had prevailed thrice over the opponents. The current Qatar side is however more challenging and in top form.
Marquez’s side are currently on a three-match winning streak against Kuwait since their 1-0 loss in November 2020.
Meanwhile, India will also be aiming for three points to keep pace at the top, with coach Igor Stimac’s side having kicked off their campaign with a 1-0 win over Kuwait.
That was followed by a 3-0 defeat against Qatar and India know they need maximum points from their double header against Afghanistan if they are to stay in the race for a top two finish which will earn them a spot in the third round of FIFA World Cup qualifying.
“Our target is to advance to the third round of the World Cup Qualifiers, and we are confident of making history. The players are extremely motivated as we have never made it to the third round ever,” said Stimac.
“We will be playing our away match against Afghanistan at an altitude of 2270 metres in Abha, Saudi Arabia. Playing at such a height requires great endurance. The players are in decent form, and need to overcome the conditions, all sorts of difficulties and find a way to manage the game in a positive manner. Defensively we need to be stable.”
Qatar v Kuwait at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium (Doha) 9.30pm