Qotbi says Iranian players need a boost in spirit rather than a change in technique and tactic in the short time remaining before Iran's June 6 match against North Korea.
"What we need right now is to transfer positive energy to both players and fans. It is more a matter of heart and willingness, and the next matches must therefore be won first outside and then inside the field," Qotbi said in an interview with Khabar news network.
Qotbi replaced Mohammad Mayelikohan on April 22 to take the reigns of the national Iranian soccer team.
With only six points from their five games, Iran faces an uphill struggle for qualifying for the next round with two away matches in South and North Korea and a home match against the UAE.
Iran sits fourth place in Group B of the Asian qualifiers along with Saudi Arabia, South Korea, the UAE and North Korea.
South Korea currently leads the group with 11 points, one point ahead of North Korea and Saudi Arabia. The UAE is at the bottom of the group with one point.
Qotbi added that he would choose the most experienced players for the three remaining games.
Asia has four automatic qualifying berths, with third-placed teams in the two final qualifying groups playing off against one another for the right to take New Zealand for a fifth berth in the finals.
Iran has appeared in the 1978, 1998 and 2006 World Cups. It achieved its best result in France in 1998, when it beat the United States 2-1.