Head coach Marquez Lopez, who led Qatar to the title in the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, parted ways with the men’s national team, the country’s football association announced on Wednesday.

“All appreciation and gratitude to coach Marquez Lopez for his dedication and the achievements he brought during his time leading our national team,” the association posted on X.

His assistant Luis Garcia has been promoted as Lopez’s successor. The Spaniard has been the coach of La Liga side Espanyol during 2023.

“Luis Garcia has expressed gratitude to both the QFA and coach Marquez for the opportunity to lead the senior national team into the most important competition in the region starting on December 21 in Kuwait,” the QFA said.

Qatar, host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, had a poor run in the third round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers after failing to directly qualify for the quadrennial event. It will now hope to make the cut in the fourth round. However, the side has qualified for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, eyeing a third-straight title.

Lopez’s final match in-charge was a 0-5 drubbing at the hands of United Arab Emirates during the qualifiers.

Garcia’s first assignment would be leading Qatar into the Arabian Gulf Cup, a competition the country has won thrice.