Oman has taken a major step toward its World Cup ambitions by appointing veteran coach Carlos Queiroz as head coach of the national team. The move comes at a critical moment, with decisive qualification matches set for the autumn and a rare opportunity for Oman to reach the World Cup for the first time. The decision signals a clear intent to raise performance levels and bring international experience to a young and determined squad.
Carlos Queiroz arrives with one of the most extensive resumes in international football. The Portuguese coach previously guided Iran to the 2014 and 2018 World Cups and has managed elite teams including Real Madrid, Portugal, Egypt, Colombia, and Qatar. His reputation is built on strong defensive organization, tactical discipline, and experience handling high-pressure qualification campaigns.
The Oman Football Association described the appointment as part of a broader effort to improve results in upcoming matches. Queiroz takes over immediately, replacing Rashid Jaber, who led Oman to a fourth-place finish in the third round of qualifiers. That result kept qualification hopes alive but also highlighted the need for a more experienced hand ahead of the next phase.
Oman has reached the fourth round of qualification alongside Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Indonesia, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. The teams will be split into groups of three, with only the group winners earning direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The draw will take place in Kuala Lumpur, with matches scheduled for October.
For teams that finish second, the journey does not end there. A final playoff round in November will decide who advances to an intercontinental playoff tournament. For Queiroz, the task is clear but demanding. He must quickly assess the squad, stabilize performances, and extract results in a short window. With experience on his side and pressure mounting, the coming months will define whether Oman can make history on the global stage.
Started my career in Automotive Journalism in 2015. Even though I'm a pharmacist, hanging around cars all the time has created a passion for the automotive industry since day 1.
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