Qatar National Team Names Luis Garcia Head Coach

The Qatar Football Association has announced the departure of head coach Marquez Lopez following a disappointing run in the World Cup qualifiers, highlighted by a 5-0 defeat to the United Arab Emirates. Lopez, who led Qatar to their second consecutive Asian Cup title earlier this year, leaves despite having signed a contract extension until 2026. His assistant, Luis Garcia, has been promoted to take over the role and will lead the team in the upcoming Arabian Gulf Cup. Garcia, a former manager of Espanyol, faces immediate challenges as Qatar aims to recover in regional competitions. The team's current standing in the World Cup qualifiers is concerning, as they sit fourth in their group, needing to improve to qualify for the next round. The QFA expressed gratitude towards Lopez for his contributions during his tenure.