“Big Coach” Queiroz Poised to Lead Oman to Maiden World Cup — Al-Ghassani

Oman’s star striker Muhsen Al-Ghassani has voiced strong confidence that Carlos Queiroz, the newly appointed head coach, can guide the Gulf nation into its first-ever FIFA World Cup. Al-Ghassani praised Queiroz’s experience and leadership as a key factor in Oman’s World Cup qualifying campaign.

Queiroz, who has been with the team for around three months, brings a storied coaching résumé, having appeared in multiple World Cups while managing national teams such as Iran and Portugal. He now seeks to bring that pedigree to Oman’s ambitious quest. Al-Ghassani stated, “He’s a big coach, he has experience … he’s helping us to go to the World Cup — hopefully.”

Currently ranked 78th globally, Oman enters the fourth round of Asia’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Group A, where they face Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Only the group winner secures a direct path to the finals—no easy task in such a competitive field.

Qatar, aiming to qualify through the preliminaries for the first time in history, and the UAE, seeking a return to the finals after missing out since 1990, both present formidable opposition. In contrast, Oman is striving for a historic breakthrough. Al-Ghassani emphasized unity, resolve, and belief, saying, “We have to focus and be patient. We can do it. All my teammates have confidence.”