El Salvador's Upcoming Match Against Qatar
The national football team of El Salvador has made a significant adjustment to its World Cup preparation schedule following the cancellation of a friendly match against Morocco, which was initially set for June 3. Instead, La Selecta will now face Qatar on June 6, 2026, in a friendly match that will take place in Los Angeles, California, during the FIFA international window.
This change was officially announced by Yamil Bukele, the president of the Salvadoran Football Federation (Fesfut). He also specified that the match against the Qatari national team will not be televised, as per a directive from the Qatari football authorities.
Reasons for the Schedule Change
The alteration to the schedule came after a formal notification from the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, which indicated that it would not be able to field its complete squad for the match against El Salvador. As a potential solution, Morocco suggested moving the match to June 2 and hosting it in Africa, offering to cover the travel expenses for the Salvadoran delegation. However, Fesfut declined this option, citing FIFA regulations that prohibit matches from being played across different continents within the same FIFA window. They reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining a schedule that includes two friendlies during this period, both to be held in the United States.
Ultimately, El Salvador will compete against Qatar, a team that has already secured its place in the 2026 World Cup and will be part of Group B alongside Canada, Bosnia, and Switzerland. The match is set to take place at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles and represents a valuable competitive opportunity for the Salvadoran coaching staff and players as they prepare for the World Cup.
Despite the absence of television coverage, the friendly match against a World Cup-qualified opponent will allow the Azul y Blanco to assess their performance level against an established team, refine their strategies, and gain international experience as they head toward the next World Cup.
With this adjustment, El Salvador continues to adhere to its roadmap leading up to the World Cup, focusing on challenging opponents and prioritizing a plan that aligns with FIFA regulations and the national team's sporting goals.
As reported by ole.us.
