Qatar FA extends Sanchez's contract to 2022

Doha - The Qatar Football Association (QFA) announced Monday it had extended the contract of coach Felix Sanchez as head of the country's national team until 2022. 

The reason behind the decision was "to continue the technical stability of the national team, which won the AFC Asian Cup title in Jan-Feb this year", said a statement from the association. 

Spaniard Sanchez led Qatar to the Asian Cup title -- the first continental title in their history, beating Japan 3-1 in the final. 

Sanchez, a former Barcelona youth coach, joined Qatar's national academy in 2006 and worked his way through the ranks. 

Qatar -- hosts of the 2022 World Cup -- have been drawn in a group with Argentina, Colombia and Paraguay in the Copa America, which starts on June 14 in Brazil.

Qatar's inclusion in the Copa America -- along with that of Japan -- initially raised eyebrows but both teams reached the Asian Cup final.

Qatar's victory, notably achieved in the backyard of political rivals United Arab Emirates, would help boost the country's "football" reputation, Sanchez said in February.