Alkass English
Asian champions Qatar and the United Arab Emirates are set for a high-stakes encounter at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium tomorrow, with direct qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup hanging in the balance.
The final Group A showdown will determine which team secures the group’s only automatic ticket to the World Cup. Demand for seats has been enormous, with nearly all tickets sold out more than two days before kickoff. Qatar are expected to have overwhelming home support as they look to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
The UAE head into the decisive match with momentum on their side after a thrilling 2-1 comeback win over Oman on Saturday. That victory lifted them to the top of the standings, while Qatar’s goalless draw against Oman left them with just one point from their opening match. Oman, with a single point from two games, are now out of contention for automatic qualification.
The scenario is straightforward: the UAE need only a draw to book their ticket to the 2026 World Cup, while Qatar must win to avoid the uncertainty of the play-offs.
Qatar coach Julen Lopetegui has been working with his squad behind closed doors and is expected to make tactical adjustments for the must-win tie. Despite the disappointing result against Oman, the Spaniard insists his players remain fully focused on achieving their goal.
“We will continue to pursue our dream of qualifying for the World Cup,” Lopetegui said after the draw. “The result hasn’t affected our confidence, and it won’t put extra pressure on the players before the UAE match.”
The UAE, meanwhile, showed resilience and belief in their win over Oman. After falling behind to a 12th-minute own goal by Kouame Kouadio, Marcus Meloni equalised in the 76th minute before Caio Lucas sealed the comeback with a brilliant strike in the 83rd.
“It was a match of two halves, but we did everything necessary to win,” said UAE coach Cosmin Olaroiu. “Now we have the decisive game against Qatar.”
Goalkeeper Khalid Eissa, one of the standout performers in that game, warned his teammates to stay sharp against the hosts. “The mission is difficult, but not impossible,” he said. “We know Qatar will be strong at home, but we’re ready to handle the pressure. We just need to avoid the mistakes we made against Oman.”
Despite their slim hopes, Oman coach Carlos Queiroz has refused to give up on reaching the intercontinental play-offs. For Oman to progress, the UAE must beat Qatar by at least two goals.
“Oman’s chances are still alive, and our fans should be proud of the players’ effort and determination,” Queiroz said. “We created many opportunities but couldn’t finish them. The players deserved more.”
The second-placed team in Group A will face the runner-up from Group B — which includes Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Indonesia — in a two-legged playoff next month. The winner will then advance to the FIFA Play-Off Tournament, offering one final chance to reach the 2026 World Cup.