Overview
- Julen Lopetegui has signed a two-year contract with the Qatar Football Association, effective until 2027, to manage the men's national football team.
- He replaces his compatriot Luis García following Qatar's disappointing 1–3 loss to Kyrgyzstan in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
- Lopetegui's first competitive matches as coach will be against Iran on June 5 and Uzbekistan on June 10 as Qatar seeks to secure World Cup qualification.
- The 58-year-old brings extensive experience, including a Europa League title with Sevilla and a brief Premier League tenure with West Ham United.
- Lopetegui's appointment reflects Qatar's continued commitment to leveraging high-profile coaching expertise to bolster its football development post-2022 World Cup.