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Qatar appointed Carlos Queiroz as head coach of the national team yesterday, after signing a deal with the well-traveled Portuguese coach that would keep him in charge of Al Annabi until 2026.
After days of speculation, Qatar Football Association (QFA) General Secretary Mansour Al Ansari signed a contract with the new coach yesterday at Al Bidda Tower.
According to QFA’s website, the agreement may remain in effect until the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which may held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Queiroz, who will age 70 on March 1, replaces coach Felix Sanchez, whose contract was not renewed following Al Annabi’s failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
The Portuguese coach led Iran to the World Cup in Qatar 2022, his fourth overall and third with Team Melli. He also led Iran to World Cup victories in 2014 and 2018.
Queiroz, who also oversaw Portugal’s World Cup campaign in 2010, led South Africa to qualifying for the 2002 finals before stepping down before the event.
“Queiroz is the Iran national team’s longest-serving manager, having led the squad for nearly eight years between 2011 and 2019. He returned to the job for Iran’s World Cup campaign in 2022. “He is the first manager in the country’s history to have led them to three World Cups in a row,” declared QFA.
The Portuguese coach has previously worked with the UAE, Colombia, and Egypt, and his club experience includes stints as head coach at Real Madrid and as an assistant to Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.
Qatar appointed Carlos Queiroz as new head coach
Queiroz’s first significant job with Qatar will be the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup, when Al Annabi will make her second participation after reaching the semi-finals in 2021. The competition will take place between June 24 and July 16.
Qatar will also defend their title at home in the AFC Asian Cup 2023, with the tournament calendar still to get announcement. The major aim for Queiroz, though, will be to assist Qatar in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, which will include 48 teams, up from 32.
The Qatar Football Association also expect the Portuguese to take Qatar to new heights after the national team reached many milestones under Sanchez.
