Lopetegui set to leave Qatar after World Cup and Gulf Cup campaigns

Julen Lopetegui’s time as Qatar manager appears to be nearing its conclusion, with the Spanish coach already considering a return to European football despite having a contract with the national team until April 2027.

Reports suggest Lopetegui’s final match in charge could be the friendly against South Korea on 17 November 2026. No formal meeting has yet taken place between the coach and the Qatar Football Association to discuss his departure.

Sport, citing Qatar’s Al Sharq newspaper, reports that Lopetegui regards his spell with Qatar as effectively complete. His future had been under review even before the latest changes to the international calendar, with the coach understood to have been considering leaving after the 2026 World Cup and Gulf Cup.

The postponement of the Asian Cup has also influenced the situation. The tournament was moved from January 2027 to January 2028 because of increasing instability in the Middle East. Its original date formed part of the competitive objectives Lopetegui had identified when he took charge, but the delay means he will not face one of the main challenges planned for his tenure.

A significant spell with Qatar

Lopetegui inherited the Qatar team during a difficult period. The side had suffered four successive defeats and seen its prospects of qualifying for the World Cup diminish.

He helped restore the team’s balance and guided Qatar into the play-off for the tournament, where they defeated the United Arab Emirates.

That victory secured a historic achievement: Qatar qualified for the World Cup through the qualifying process and sporting merit for the first time. Their previous appearance, in 2022, came as hosts, meaning they did not have to compete in qualification.

Under Lopetegui, Qatar also earned the first point in their World Cup history. They drew 1-1 with Switzerland in a match played in San Francisco.

The team also reached the semi-finals of the Gulf Cup. Its run ended against hosts Saudi Arabia, who later won the competition, with Qatar losing on penalties after the two sides could not be separated during normal time.

European clubs considered

A return to European club management is now viewed as Lopetegui’s most likely next step. He remains highly regarded in the coaching market because of his previous work with clubs, while opportunities in La Liga and the Premier League are being considered as possible destinations.

Lopetegui has previously been linked with Espanyol after Manuel Gonzalez was dismissed as the club’s manager. He is now looking for another opportunity at club level, with his Qatar tenure seemingly close to its final chapter.