Julen Lopetegui leads Qatar at the 2026 World Cup—his third at this level. His first was in 1994 in the United States as Spain's third-choice goalkeeper, when he played no minutes. His second was in Russia in 2018 as head coach, but he was sacked one day before the tournament started after agreeing to coach Real Madrid.
The national team's flight from Dublin touched down in Los Angeles on May 30, and applause erupted onboard. For the 26 players, this marks their first World Cup qualification. For Lopetegui, it represents a chance he has long awaited—finally, he will manage a full tournament.
The coach stated that "football didn't owe me anything," but he feels he owes himself such a moment. In an interview, he emphasized that the simplest reason to accept Qatar's offer was the World Cup itself. "Going to the World Cup just for the sake of going is stupid," Lopetegui said.
Qatar may be the tournament's weakest team—preparation was hindered and competitive level was limited—but Lopetegui is determined to compete. His experience at two previous World Cups gives him a unique perspective on the tournament.
→ Next match preview: Qatar — Switzerland