Queiroz to meet OFA chief on his future as Oman coach

MUSCAT: Oman head coach Carlos Queiroz is expected to return in Muscat by mid-January for talks that could define the Red Warriors’ long-term future. The veteran Portuguese coach has been away in Portugal since December 20, spending the Christmas and New Year period in his homeland. His return is expected to trigger high-level discussions at the Oman Football Association (OFA), amid growing anticipation over whether his tenure will be extended beyond its initial term.

According to Saif al Jabri, spokesperson of the OFA, Queiroz is scheduled to meet Sayyid Suleiman bin Hamoud al Busaidy, OFA Chairman, shortly after his arrival. “The Portuguese coach will meet the chairman upon his return to Muscat to discuss several topics, including his future with the national team and, in the event of a renewal, the proposed programme for the next phase,” Al Jabri told Oman Observer, adding that the agenda and final outcomes of the meeting will be disclosed at a later stage.

The next key events for Oman team will be taking part in the 27th edition of the Arabian Gulf Cup which will take place in Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia, from September 23 to October 6 and then the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers later this year.

Oman head coach Carlos Queiroz is expected to return in Muscat by mid-January for talks that could define the Red Warriors’ long-term future.

Queiroz officially began his assignment with the Oman national team on July 21, 2025, signing a one-year contract that placed him in charge during a crucial transitional period. Despite the relatively short time frame, his tenure has been tested immediately by high-pressure competitive fixtures. Under Queiroz’s supervision, Oman competed in two major tournaments including: the Playoff Stage of 2026 Fifa World Cup Asian Qualifiers and the Fifa Arab Cup which served as benchmarks for evaluating progress and squad depth.

In the November World Cup qualifiers, Oman were drawn into a challenging group alongside Qatar and the UAE. The campaign began as the Red Warriors held hosts Qatar to a goalless draw in Doha. Then, Oman had suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat, finishing third in the group. Qatar topped the standings to secure direct qualification, while UAE ended in second place and Oman third.

In December, Oman’s Arab Cup campaign followed a similar narrative of competitiveness as Red Warriors exited at the group stage, finishing third in Group B with four points, narrowly missing out on a place in the knockout rounds. Oman opened their campaign with a hard-fought goalless draw against Morocco, the reigning Arab Cup champions and one of Africa’s strongest national sides a result that drew praise for tactical discipline and defensive resilience.

The second match saw Oman suffer a 2-1 defeat against Saudi Arabia, despite delivering a competitive performance. The campaign concluded on a positive note with a 2-1 victory over Comoros.