The UAE national team is set to kick off their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign with a crucial match against Qatar. With hopes of ending a three-decade long drought, the UAE is gearing up for a tough competition in the Asian qualifiers. Asia has eight direct slots for the World Cup, with 18 teams divided into three groups of six each in the third round of qualifiers. The UAE has been drawn in Group A alongside Qatar, Iran, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and North Korea. The top two teams from each group will secure direct qualification for the World Cup.
The third and fourth-placed teams in each group will then compete in the fourth round of qualifiers, with six teams divided into two groups of three. The winners of each group will earn the last two direct slots for the World Cup. The runner-up teams will enter a playoff battle for a chance to secure the final slot. The winner of the Asian playoff will advance to an inter-confederation playoff tournament featuring five other teams for the last two slots in the World Cup. The UAE narrowly missed out on the 2022 World Cup and will be looking to secure a top-two finish for direct qualification this time around.
The UAE is set to face Qatar in their first match of the third round of qualifiers. The team, led by coach Paulo Bento, is motivated by their previous heartbreak and is eager to secure a spot in the upcoming World Cup. Despite not beating Qatar since 2015, Bento believes his team has the quality to end their long wait. The UAE will face Iran in their second match of the third round at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain. Qatar, on the other hand, is on an 11-match unbeaten run and will be a tough opponent for the UAE.
Qatar, who followed up their 2023 Asian Cup triumph with an impressive qualification for the third round of qualifiers, will be looking to continue their winning streak. With key players like Akram Afif and Almoez Ali in top form, Qatar is confident in their ability to secure a spot in the upcoming World Cup. Qatar, who made their debut as hosts in the 2022 World Cup, is determined to qualify on merit this time around. The return of key players and the impressive form of top scorers like Ali and Afif make Qatar a formidable opponent in the Asian qualifiers.
Both the UAE and Qatar are gearing up for a crucial match in the third round of Asian qualifiers. The rivalry between the two teams adds an extra element of excitement to the competition. With both teams aiming for direct qualification to the World Cup, the match is expected to be intense and closely contested. The UAE will need to put up a strong performance against Qatar to kick off their qualification campaign on a positive note. As both teams prepare to face off in the upcoming match, football fans are eagerly anticipating an exciting showdown between these two Asian powerhouses.
