Carlos Queiroz, a seasoned coach with a global resume, faces a familiar foe this Wednesday. His Oman national team is set to battle Qatar in a crucial Asian playoff for a spot in the 2026 World Cup. Before the big game, the Portuguese manager, who once led the Qatari squad, offered some clear thoughts. He spoke about what the match means to his players. He also took the chance to openly criticize the playoff format, pointing out the difference in rest days between the two sides.
“I’ve coached all over the world, from Portugal to Oman, and one thing I know for sure: when a team plays for its flag, that’s a powerful combination. Truly powerful,” the 72-year-old coach explained. “I’ve seen many teams play for something much bigger than themselves. Oman plays football for its flag, for its nation. In the end, it’s still football. So, I have a message for all the players, from Oman and Qatar: enjoy this chance. Fans on both sides want the best. Our job is to make those fans happy.” Queiroz even suggested that if he were still leading Qatar, they would already be qualified for the World Cup.
The playoff structure itself has drawn plenty of sharp remarks. Qatar and Saudi Arabia get to play their matches at home, a detail that also prompted Queiroz to share his strong opinion. “When a game finishes, I like to go home feeling the win was earned fairly, under the right conditions,” he stated. “But we’re just 24 hours from the match. Neither I nor the players made these decisions. Those who made these choices will have to live with them forever. Not us. We call for inspiration, for a great game tomorrow, to make the fans happy. In the end, may the best team on the field win. We can’t control what happens off the field. At this point in my career, I have no problem saying what I think. I don’t care what people think of what I say. I believe my opinion is correct. And I’m sure you all agree, even the people here in Qatar. Thank you again to whoever created this scenario. Now, let’s enjoy it.”
The match between Oman and Qatar kicks off tomorrow, Wednesday, at 4:00 PM. The United Arab Emirates complete this three-team group. Only the top team secures qualification to the next stage. In the other group, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and Iraq are competing.
