Lopetegui: Satisfied with Qatar’s Performance Against El Salvador
Spanish coach Julen Lopetegui, manager of the Qatar national football team, expressed his satisfaction with the level shown by his players during the friendly match against El Salvador, confirming that the team gained many technical benefits despite the difficult weather conditions in which the match was played, as part of the final preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Following the match, Lopetegui said in a press statement that the hot and humid conditions imposed additional challenges on the players, but he expressed full satisfaction with the team’s reaction and the discipline they showed throughout the game.
He added: “We played the match in hot and humid conditions, which posed an extra challenge for the players, but I am very pleased with the team’s reaction and the commitment shown by everyone throughout the match. What matters to me at this stage is seeing gradual improvement in the collective performance, and I noticed many positive signs that give us confidence to continue working in the coming period.”
The Qatar coach stressed that the defensive side was one of the brightest aspects of the match, praising the organization and tactical discipline displayed by the team, in addition to the strong performance of the goalkeepers.
He said: “I am particularly pleased with what the players showed defensively. The back line demonstrated good organization and tactical discipline for most of the match, and the goalkeepers delivered an excellent performance that helped maintain the team’s defensive balance. These aspects form an important foundation to build on in the upcoming preparations.”
Lopetegui emphasized that the lineup used against El Salvador does not necessarily reflect the starting eleven that will play the opening World Cup match against Switzerland, explaining that the coaching staff is still evaluating all available options before making final decisions.
He added: “The participation of this group of players does not mean we will face Switzerland with the same lineup. We are still in the evaluation phase, and it is natural to make changes depending on each match and the nature of the opponent. We have a good group of players, and we want to give as many of them as possible the chance to prove themselves.”
The Spanish coach also spoke about the upcoming clash with Switzerland, confirming that it will be a real test for Qatar at the start of its World Cup campaign, given the opponent’s extensive international experience.
He said: “We will face a strong and distinguished team like Switzerland, one with great experience on the international stage. The match will be an important test for us. We will continue working in the coming training sessions to address some technical and tactical details, and we will prepare for this match in the best possible way.”
Lopetegui affirmed that the Qatar national team enters the final phase of preparations with positive energy and high ambitions, noting that the main goal is to improve collective performance and enhance team chemistry before the official competitions begin.
He concluded: “We approach this stage with a positive spirit and a strong desire to benefit from every match and every training session. Our goal is to develop the collective performance and strengthen the harmony among the players. Qatar enters the World Cup as the Asian champion, and this status brings great responsibility. We aim to deliver a strong performance that reflects the reputation of Qatari football and the hard work we are doing ahead of the upcoming challenges.”
The Qatar national team continues its preparations in the United States before playing its first match in the 2026 World Cup against Switzerland in Group B, which also includes Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
