Qatar Beat UAE 2–1 to Clinch 2026 World Cup Qualification

Qatar sealed their qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday after a hard-fought 2–1 victory over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha.

The 2022 World Cup hosts, who failed to progress beyond the group stage in their debut appearance three years ago, booked their ticket to next summer’s tournament — to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico — with second-half goals from Boualem Khoukhi and Pedro Miguel.

Both goals were set up by Akram Afif, the two-time Asian Player of the Year, whose creative brilliance proved decisive in the must-win encounter.

With the win, Qatar — back-to-back Asian Cup champions — finished top of Group A in the fourth round of Asian qualifying, ensuring direct passage to the 2026 finals.

For the UAE, who only needed a draw to secure a second World Cup appearance in their history, the defeat means they will face the loser of the Saudi Arabia vs Iraq Group B decider in a two-legged playoff next month. The winner of that tie will advance to the intercontinental playoff. Saudi Arabia, who hosted Iraq in Jeddah later on Tuesday, also required only a draw to qualify.

Managed by former Spain, Real Madrid, and West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui, Qatar began brightly, with Sultan Al Brake forcing an early save from UAE goalkeeper Khalid Essa, before Lucas Pimenta went close with a header at the other end.

Qatar broke the deadlock four minutes into the second half when Khoukhi rose highest to head in Afif’s curling free-kick past Essa. The hosts doubled their advantage in the 74th minute after another Afif set-piece — this time misjudged by Essa — allowed Pedro Miguel to nod home at the back post.

The match took a tense turn when Tarek Salman was sent off late for a dangerous tackle. In stoppage time, UAE substitute Sultan Adil pulled one back with a superb volley in the eighth minute of added time, but it proved too late for a comeback.

Qatar, who made unwanted history in 2022 as the first World Cup hosts to lose all three group matches, redeemed themselves by qualifying on merit for the 2026 edition — marking a new chapter for the Gulf nation’s footballing rise.

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