Qatar secures 2026 World Cup spot after win over UAE

Qatar secured its spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday with a 2–1 home victory over the United Arab Emirates in Group A of the Asian qualifiers.

The Gulf nation will take part in its second World Cup, following its debut in 2022 as the tournament's host. Next summer, the Qatar national team will head to the United States, Mexico, and Canada for the global event.

With this win, Qatar finishes top of Group A, joining Australia, South Korea, Iran, Japan, Jordan, and Uzbekistan as the Asian Football Confederation's confirmed qualifiers for the 2026 tournament.

The United Arab Emirates, on the other hand, will need to play a two-legged playoff against either Saudi Arabia or Iraq (both in Group B), who face each other later this evening. The winner of that tie will then compete in an intercontinental playoff for a World Cup berth.

Qatar, who needed a win to qualify, found success through set pieces. 

Akram Afif delivered two precise free kicks, both converted with headers—first by Boualem Khoukhi in the 49th minute, and then by Pedro Miguel in the 74th. Despite being reduced to 10 men late in the game, Qatar conceded a goal deep into stoppage time (90+8) by Sultan Adil but held on for the crucial victory.

Having won back-to-back AFC Asian Cup titles in 2019 and 2023, Qatar will be aiming for a stronger World Cup performance than in 2022, where they became the worst host nation in tournament history—losing all three group matches, conceding seven goals and scoring just one.

Qatar is now coached by Spanish manager Julen Lopetegui, who took over in May after being dismissed by Premier League side West Ham in January. 

The 59-year-old has previously managed Spain and Real Madrid.