First National Team

The Qatar national team played its first official match on March 27, 1970 against hosts Bahrain, losing 1–2 as Mubarak Faraj scored the sole goal for Qatar. Soon after, Qatar were amongst four founding nations to play in the biennial Gulf Cup tournament.

The national team played its first FIFA World Cup qualifying match in 1977. Qatar’s Asian Cup debut came in 1980.

Qatar’s national team arguably reached its peak in the 1990s, when the team missed on two World Cup qualifications (1990,1998) in the final stages, attaining its highest-ever FIFA ranking (53) in August 1993.

In 1992, Qatar’s first major triumph came as the “marrons” won the 1992 Gulf Cup, a young squad centred around the team which managed to impress months earlier in the 1992 Summer Olympics, dominated the tournament to give Qatar the chance to finally win the long awaited regional title.

In the 2000s, it was the Gulf Cup once again that sparked a revival of a new generation of young Qatari footballers. In the back of a transitional period of doubt, Qatar seized the opportunity and became champions when Doha hosted the tournament in 2004.

2014 was without a doubt one of the most successful years for football in Qatar; in addition to becoming Asian U-19 champions that year, the senior squad won both of the West Asia Football Federation and the Gulf Cup championships.

2019 brought more success, Qatar had an excellent campaign at the 2019 Asian Cup. Their opener saw them defeat Lebanon 2–0. This was followed by a 6–0 thrashing of North Korea and a 2–0 win against three-time champions Saudi Arabia, which sealed the team getting first place in the group. They had a 1–0 win against Iraq in the Round of 16 and a late win against defending runners-up South Korea in the quarter-finals, seeing them through to the semi-finals for the first time ever, where they defeated the hosts United Arab Emirates 4–0 to set up a final against 4-time winners Japan. Qatar ended up winning the final 3–1 over Japan, marking their first ever major tournament title in their history, and capping off one of the most improbable Asian Cup runs in the tournament’s history, especially since they conceded only one goal in all their games.

Qatar was invited to the 2019 Copa América. They were placed in Group B with Colombia, Argentina and Paraguay. Their first game was against Paraguay where they came back from a 2–0 deficit to tie it 2–2, but that was followed by a 0–1 loss to Colombia and a 0–2 loss to Argentina. Qatar took the last place in Group B with a single point and was eliminated in the group stage of the competition.

Marquez Lopez

Date of birth: January 7, 1962
Place of birth: Barcelona – Spain
Age: 62 years
Achievements
Al-Wakrah Sports Club: Second Division League winner, 2019
Qatar National Team: Asian Cup 2023

 

Born on January 7, 1962, in the vibrant city of Barcelona, Bartolomé Márquez Lopez emerged as a multifaceted force in football. Lopez showcased his versatility throughout his playing career by seamlessly transitioning between roles as an attacking midfielder, an outright striker, and both right and left winger. His prowess graced several esteemed Spanish clubs, with Espanyol standing out as the pinnacle of his football journey.

In 1997, Bartolomé Márquez Lopez embarked on his coaching journey, initially coaching the Europa team in the Gracia district of Barcelona. This marked the commencement of a long journey that saw him navigating various clubs, with a notable return to Espanyol after successfully leading several others. His influence extended beyond senior teams as he ascended to coaching roles across different age groups within the club. Lopez’s coaching acumen also found expression beyond Spain, guiding teams such as Sint-Truiden and Eupen in Belgium, adding an international dimension to his already diverse coaching portfolio.

In 2018, the Spanish coach made his entry into the Qatari football scene. His initial stint involved contributing his expertise to the Aspire Academy before assuming the helm of the Al-Wakrah, which had faced relegation to the second division. Within a year, his leadership proved transformative as the team clinched the league title, securing promotion to the Qatar Stars League. This marked a pivotal chapter in his coaching journey, establishing a tenure that was the longest with a single team throughout his career. The culmination of this remarkable trajectory saw him ascend to the pinnacle of Qatari football, taking on the role of coaching the Qatar national team.

In the season of 2021-2022, Marquez Lopez achieved a significant milestone by securing the prestigious Best Coach Award in Qatar. This accolade, earned ahead of notable counterparts such as Qatari Younis Ali, the coach of Al Arabi, and Portuguese Luis Castro, who helmed Al Duhail during that period, underscored Lopez’s exceptional coaching prowess and marked a defining moment in his professional journey.

On December 6, 2023, Marquez Lopez assumed the role of coach for the Qatar national team, succeeding Carlos Queiroz. His appointment came at a crucial time as the team prepared to defend the Asian Cup title that the Maroons won for the first time in 2019. Despite scepticism, Lopez adeptly guided the hosts, ultimately surpassing expectations and securing a distinctive triumph. His strategic prowess and leadership culminated in the crowning achievement of winning the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023. This victory not only upheld Qatar’s Asian title earned in 2019 but also established new records, solidifying Lopez’s imprint on the team’s storied legacy.

On February 23, 2024, Lopez was named the new coach for the national team permanently, with a commitment extending until 2026. His appointment signifies a pivotal chapter as he undertakes to guide Annabi through crucial upcoming events, notably the joint qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup and the 2027 Asian Cup. This heralds a new era under Lopez’s leadership, with aspirations set high for success on regional and global football stages.

 

 

Coach