Qatar Defeats UAE to Qualify for 2026 FIFA World Cup
Qatar secured their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday after defeating the United Arab Emirates 2-1 in the final round of Group A matches in the AFC playoff stage, held in Doha.
Boualem Khoukhi opened the scoring in the 49th minute before Pedro Miguel doubled Qatar’s lead in the 74th.
Sultan Adel pulled one back for the UAE deep into stoppage time, but it was too late for the Emiratis to find an equalizer. Qatar held on for the win to top Group A with four points.
This marks Qatar’s second qualification for the World Cup, following their historic participation as hosts of the 2022 edition.
The UAE, meanwhile, will have to wait for another opportunity through the playoffs in hopes of reaching the finals for only the second time in their history, after their lone appearance in 1990.
