emirates7 - The UAE are set to kick off their critical qualifying campaign for the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Qatar on Thursday, as they aim to end a 30-year wait for World Cup participation. The expanded 48-team tournament offers eight direct spots for Asia, providing new hope for the Emiratis.
Eighteen teams have reached the third round of Asian qualifiers, divided into three groups of six. The UAE find themselves in Group A, competing against Qatar, Iran, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and North Korea. Group B includes South Korea, Iraq, Jordan, Oman, Palestine, and Kuwait, while Group C features Australia, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, China, and Indonesia.
The top two teams from each group will directly qualify for the World Cup, while the third and fourth-placed teams will enter the fourth round of qualifying. The fourth round will consist of six teams split into two groups of three, with the winners earning the final two direct spots. The runners-up from each group will compete in a playoff, with the winner advancing to an intercontinental playoff for one of the last two remaining World Cup places.
Having narrowly missed out on the 2022 World Cup after losing to Australia in a complex playoff stage, the UAE are determined to secure direct qualification this time by finishing in the top two. They will be eager to start their campaign strongly against two-time Asian champions Qatar in Doha on Thursday.
The UAE have not beaten Qatar since their 4-1 victory in the 2015 Asian Cup, but head coach Paulo Bento believes his team can break this streak. Their second match of the qualifiers will be played against Iran at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain on September 10.
Qatar, meanwhile, will look to build on their recent success as they face the UAE at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium. Having qualified for the third round of qualifiers with two games to spare, Qatar comes into the match on an 11-game unbeaten run. With key players Akram Afif and Almoez Ali returning to the squad after being rested in the last two fixtures, Qatar will be confident as they seek to qualify for the World Cup on merit, having debuted as hosts in 2022. Ali, who was the joint top scorer in the second round, and Afif, the AFC Asian Cup Golden Boot winner, will play pivotal roles in their campaign.
Eighteen teams have reached the third round of Asian qualifiers, divided into three groups of six. The UAE find themselves in Group A, competing against Qatar, Iran, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and North Korea. Group B includes South Korea, Iraq, Jordan, Oman, Palestine, and Kuwait, while Group C features Australia, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, China, and Indonesia.
The top two teams from each group will directly qualify for the World Cup, while the third and fourth-placed teams will enter the fourth round of qualifying. The fourth round will consist of six teams split into two groups of three, with the winners earning the final two direct spots. The runners-up from each group will compete in a playoff, with the winner advancing to an intercontinental playoff for one of the last two remaining World Cup places.
Having narrowly missed out on the 2022 World Cup after losing to Australia in a complex playoff stage, the UAE are determined to secure direct qualification this time by finishing in the top two. They will be eager to start their campaign strongly against two-time Asian champions Qatar in Doha on Thursday.
The UAE have not beaten Qatar since their 4-1 victory in the 2015 Asian Cup, but head coach Paulo Bento believes his team can break this streak. Their second match of the qualifiers will be played against Iran at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain on September 10.
Qatar, meanwhile, will look to build on their recent success as they face the UAE at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium. Having qualified for the third round of qualifiers with two games to spare, Qatar comes into the match on an 11-game unbeaten run. With key players Akram Afif and Almoez Ali returning to the squad after being rested in the last two fixtures, Qatar will be confident as they seek to qualify for the World Cup on merit, having debuted as hosts in 2022. Ali, who was the joint top scorer in the second round, and Afif, the AFC Asian Cup Golden Boot winner, will play pivotal roles in their campaign.