FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - World Cup - AFC Qualifiers - Third Round - Group A - Kyrgyzstan v Qatar - Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan - March 25, 2025 Qatar players line-up before the match. REUTERS/Pavel Mikheyev/File Photo
(Reuters) -Qatar are within "touching distance" of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup and will go all out against Iran and Uzbekistan over the next week to keep their dream alive, says new coach Julen Lopetegui.
Qatar, who hosted the 2022 World Cup but have never reached the tournament via the qualification route, cannot finish in the top two in Group A to earn an automatic berth in 2027 but can still secure a spot in the playoffs for teams finishing third and fourth.
