Tribune News Network
Doha
Asian champions Qatar have parted ways with coach Marquez Lopez after a poor showing in World Cup qualifiers and promoted his assistant Luis Garcia as new boss, the Qatar Football Association (QFA) announced on Wednesday.
Spaniard Lopez led Qatar to their second Asian Cup title in a row in February after replacing Carlos Queiroz last December. Former Spain international Garcia, who has also managed La Liga team Espanyol, joined Qatar as his No 2 at the same time.
“All appreciation and gratitude to coach Marquez Lopez for his dedication and the achievements he brought during his time leading our national team. We wish you all the best in your future endeavours,” the Qatar FA posted on X.
Garcia will take charge at the Arabian Gulf Cup later this month, which will be held in Kuwait. The 43-year-old Garcia expressed his gratitude to both the QFA and coach Lopez for the “opportunity to lead the senior national team in the Arabian Gulf Cup.”
Garcia’s appointment is considered temporary, with Qatar likely to appoint a new head coach before the World Cup Qualifiers resumes in March 2025. According to reports, former Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic was one of the names considered for the role, but talks broke down.
Current Al Duhail and former PSG coach Christophe Galtier also reportedly turned down the offer.
Lopez, who signed a contract extension until 2026 following his Asian Cup win, leaves after Qatar suffered an embarrassing 5-0 loss to United Arab Emirates in the World Cup qualifiers last month. Qatar face UAE again in the group stage of the Arabian Gulf Cup.
Lopez’s men have also disappointed in the World Cup qualifiers, as they sit fourth in their group in the third round with seven points from six matches, six points behind second-placed Uzbekistan.
The top two qualify directly while the next two go into a fourth round. Qatar, who hosted the 2022 World Cup, play North Korea in March, with four matches still to go.
Garcia shakes up Qatar squad for Arabian Gulf Cup
Hours after his appointment, Garcia announced Qatar’s squad for the upcoming Arabian Gulf Cup, introducing several changes to squad, which played at last month’s matches against Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates.
Pedro Miguel, Edmilson Junior, and Mohammed Waad are ruled out of the tournament due to injuries, while veterans Boualem Khoukhi, Abdelkarim Hassan, Karim Boudiaf and Abdulaziz Hatem have been omitted from the 29-player preliminary squad, which will gather for a short training camp in Doha.
Meanwhile, Assim Madibo, Mohammed Ayash, and Ahmed Al Rawi have earned recalls. Akram Afif and Almoez Ali are set to continue spearheading Qatar’s attack.
Drawn in Group A, Qatar will face hosts Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Oman in the tournament, scheduled from December 21 to January 3.
Qatar, champions in 1992, 2004, and 2014, will begin their campaign for a fourth title with a match against the UAE on December 21, followed by games against Oman on December 24 and Kuwait on December 27.
Qatar’s preliminary squad
Meshaal Barsham (Al Sadd), Salah Zakaria (Al Duhail) Mohammed Al Bakri (Al Wakrah), Marwan Sherif (Al Ahli), Abdullah Al Ahrak (Al Duhail), Abdullah Youssef (Al Gharafa), Abdelrahman Moustafa (Al Ahli), Ahmed Al Rawi (Al Rayyan), Ahmed Fathy (Al Arabi), Akram Afif (Al Sadd), Al Hashemi Al Hussain (AD Alcorcon B), Almoez Ali (Al Duhail), Assim Madibo (Al Gharafa), Bahaa Al Leithi (Al Ahli), Hazem Shehata (Al Rayyan), Homam Al Amin (Al Duhail), Ibrahim Al Hassan (Calahorra), Jassim Jaber (Al Arabi), Lucas Mendez (Al Wakrah), Mohammed Ayash (Al Duhail), Mohamed Khaled (Calahorra), Mohammed Muntari (Al Gharafa), Moustafa Meshaal (Al Sadd), Naif Al Hadhrami (Al Shahania), Rabeh Boussafi (Al Gharafa), Rashid Al Abdulla (Al Duhail), Sultan Al Brake (Al Duhail), Tarek Salman (Al Sadd), Yusuf Abdurisag (Al Sadd).
