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Oman’s only option will be victory when they face the United Arab Emirates in their Asian World Cup Playoffs Group A tie Saturday. Carlos Queiroz’s side battled to a goalless draw with Qatar on Wednesday, giving them hope of a first qualification to the FIFA World Cup should they defeat UAE at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.The steely performance against Qatar, however, did come at a cost with the influential Jameel al-Yahmadi taken off in the 24th minute after a hefty challenge and is now confirmed to be out of contention for the UAE match. Queiroz could opt to provide striker Issam al-Sabhi more support up front with Oman only managing to score in six of their 10 matches in the previous stage of the Qualifiers.The experienced Portuguese tactician is wary of the threat UAE possess but at the same time is bullish on Oman's chances of achieving victory. “It’s an important and decisive match, and our goal is to win as we did in the previous game," said Queiroz."We are aware of the value of this encounter and the opportunity to get closer to the dream of reaching the World Cup. The UAE team is strong and organised, and they will do everything to make their fans happy. We must focus fully and play with great discipline and enthusiasm to achieve victory. We must benefit from the lessons of the past, build on our strengths, and face the match step by step with confidence and great ambition. Winning this match will be an important step on our path towards World Cup qualification.”UAE head coach Cosmin Olaroiu would have picked up plenty of pointers from analysing Oman’s encounter with Qatar. The Romanian is unbeaten in the three matches he has handled since taking over from Paulo Bento, a run that included vital results in the previous phase.Olaroiu oversaw back-to-back draws with Uzbekistan and Kyrgystan in the Asian Qualifiers Group A ties that secured their spot in the Playoffs and the 56-year-old is counting on the shared desire within the team to power them to a win."I am happy that everyone has the same goal and ambition, which is to reach the World Cup," said Olaroiu. "This dream doesn't just belong to the players, but to an entire nation. All members of the UAE football system share the same dream. What we need is confidence and commitment. We have a real chance to reach the World Cup, and we must believe in it and defend it with all our might."Expected to field Sasa Ivkovic in defence with veteran Fabio Lima in attack, UAE can also look to the pace of Ali Saleh and Harib Suhail on the flanks as means to hurt Oman.Iraq and Indonesia clash in JeddahIn Jeddah, Iraq and Indonesia will lock horns in Group B of the Asian Qualifiers Playoffs Saturday with both sides needing victory to keep their FIFA World Cup dreams alive. Iraq are aiming for a long-awaited return to the global stage, while Indonesia know that anything other than a win will end their hopes.Iraq enter the tie determined to secure their second FIFA World Cup appearance, having featured in the 1986 edition in Mexico with head coach Graham Arnold confident of emulating that achievement. Their King Cup’s triumph over Thailand in September was a statement of intent and Arnold will expect Mohanad Ali, Ali Jasim and Aymen Hussein to deliver once again.With Saudi Arabia setting the early pace after their victory against Indonesia, Iraq know they have to make a winning start. “We are very excited about the game tomorrow night. Obviously World Cup qualifiers are very important and it seems like we’ve been waiting a long time. But we’re all ready to go now,” said Arnold.“I think if I have to give the team a rating out of 10 then we’re 10. Discipline from the boys has never been an issue for me, they’ve been fantastic. 100 percent. We have one training session to go and then we’re ready. The biggest positive for me has been all the players are playing a lot of football at their clubs. If I compare their fitness levels to four months ago when I first started this job they look completely different players.”For Indonesia, the fixture carries the weight of needing to end their long wait since first appearing on the global stage in 1938 as the Dutch East Indies and head coach Patrick Kluivert knows this campaign offers a chance to create history.Against Saudi Arabia, Indonesia put up a brave performance which ultimately ended in heartbreak as the hosts walked away 3-2 winners. That leaves victory Saturday as Indonesia’s only option.“The Iraqi team, we have to respect them. In the previous games they had a good result against us but the situation now is different. We need to win, that’s the only thing that we need to do,” said Kluivert.“It’s going to be very difficult, but we are brave people. We have a team that really sticks with each other, behind each other and for each other and we need to show that as well tomorrow. We played well in the game against Saudi Arabia and we will bring it on. We know the fans are standing behind us and we have to be there for them because we are representing a big country.”

Qatar made their path to the 2026 World Cup more difficult after being held to a drab 0-0 draw by Oman in the opening match of the fourth round of Asia’s World Cup qualifiers Wednesday at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.It was a below-par performance from both teams, as neither Qatar nor Oman showed the urgency expected in such a crucial fixture. The result leaves Qatar and Oman tied on a point each in Group A. To stay in contention for automatic qualification, Qatar will need to defeat the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday and rely on the outcome of Saturday’s encounter between Oman and the Emiratis.Only the group winners will earn automatic qualification for next year’s World Cup, to be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States. The runners-up will advance to a playoff against the second-placed team from Group B, which is being contested in Saudi Arabia, where Iraq and Indonesia are the other sides.Akram Afif squandered Qatar’s best chance early in the second half, while substitute Mohammed Muntari failed to get enough power on his shot as a resolute Oman held firm to secure a point.Qatar coach Julen Lopetegui had spoken beforehand about the pressure his side is facing in trying to qualify for the World Cup on merit for the first time. The 2022 World Cup hosts have historically struggled in the qualifiers, and that inconsistency resurfaced last night in a disjointed display.Lopetegui, who kept his squad selection under wraps on the eve of the match, handed debuts to 20-year-old Al Gharafa defender Ayoub Aloui and 25-year-old Al Rayyan goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada. He also left strikers Almoez Ali and Muntari on the bench, opting instead to start with Ahmed al-Ganehi and Edmilson Junior in support of mercurial star Afif.The Spaniard later said his playing XI decisions were influenced by injuries in the squad. “The starting lineup was ideal given the injuries, and all the players gave their best to achieve the desired result,” Lopetegui said after the match.Qatar dominated possession in the first half, with Sultan al-Brake and Edmilson causing early problems for Oman. But it was Carlos Queiroz’s side — seeking their first-ever World Cup appearance — who had the best opportunity when a wayward backpass from al-Brake almost caught out Abunada, forcing the debutant goalkeeper to concede a throw-in under pressure from Issam al-Sabhi.Boualem Khoukhi, who captained Qatar on the night, had the first look at goal in the 13th minute, but the defender’s shot flew wide of the target. Al-Sabhi continued to be Oman’s biggest threat, skipping past his marker with a neat turn in the 27th minute before seeing his powerful left-footed effort comfortably saved by Abunada.Qatar almost capitalised six minutes later when Mohammed al-Mannai slipped a clever ball through to Afif, who tried to catch Oman napping, but goalkeeper Ibrahim al-Rushaidi was alert to the danger and made a solid intervention.Nasser al-Rawahi came close for Oman, glancing a header just over the bar from a corner, while Qatar’s best effort before the break came from Afif, whose shot was easily dealt with by the Omani defence.Afif should have put the hosts ahead soon after the interval when the visitors gifted him possession inside their own half, but the Asian Player of the Year uncharacteristically side-footed wide of the post.Oman nearly punished Qatar in the 69th minute when Abunada rushed off his line to clear a cross, leaving his goal momentarily exposed, but Abdullah Fawaz’s long-range attempt failed to find the target. Almoez was introduced in the 57th minute for al-Ganehi, while Muntari also had a chance in the added time, but both could not inspire Qatar to victory as the teams settled for a share of the spoils.After the match, Lopetegui remained defiant, insisting his team had done enough to win. “We performed well throughout the match against a stubborn team that defended well and closed down spaces. Despite that, we created several opportunities but couldn’t convert them into goals,” the former Spain and Real Madrid coach said.“We will continue to pursue our dream of qualifying for the World Cup. Today’s draw against Oman hasn’t negatively impacted the team or added pressure ahead of the UAE match,” he added.Oman coach Carlos Queiroz — who previously had a brief stint with Qatar — was satisfied to take home a point. “We performed well and managed to stop Qatar’s attacks, which we expected given they were playing at home,” the Portuguese veteran said.“We knew the match would be tough, so we played with high spirit. Despite our solid defence, we also created chances but couldn’t score. A draw is the best result for both teams today. A loss would have hurt our chances of World Cup qualification. We don’t have much time before facing the UAE, but we’ll prepare well to keep our World Cup dream alive,” he added.

Oman coach Carlos Queiroz acknowledged the tough test awaiting his side against hosts Qatar at the fourth round of the Asian Qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World, but said his players are ready and confident.Oman will take on Qatar at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium Wednesday in their Group A opener, with the UAE completing the three-team group. Only the group winner secure a direct berth in the next phase, while the runner-up will move into a two-legged play-off for a final shot at qualification.“We’re excited to begin our campaign against Qatar,” said Queiroz at the pre-match press conference Tuesday. “The team has prepared well and we believe in our ability to get a positive result to kick off our journey.”In the past, the 72-year-old has taken South Africa, Portugal and Iran twice into the World cup but doing so with Oman would be his biggest achievement yet. Wednesday’s match will be Queiroz's first against Qatar since he was sacked by the in the lead-up to last Asian Cup, a tournament won by the Portuguese coach's former team under his replacement, Marquez Lopez."In my opinion, if I was still the head coach, Qatar would not have been playing tomorrow," said Queiroz with a smile. "Qatar would have already qualified for the World Cup."The veteran coach expressed his delight at returning to Qatar. “It’s always a pleasure to be back in Qatar after having spent a wonderful time here. We hope to play at a level that reflects the aspirations of our fans in Oman.”Queiroz acknowledged the pressure that comes with high-stakes qualifiers but said his players are ready to rise to the occasion. “Pressure is part of football, you take risks, you gamble at times. But I have full trust in my players and their ability to stay focused and avoid costly mistakes in such an important match.”Meanwhile, veteran Omani defender Ali al-Busaidi expressed his team’s determination to fight for qualification. “We’re fully prepared for this stage. We understand the responsibility on our shoulders and are committed to doing everything we can to qualify for the World Cup,” he said.Al-Busaidi praised the Omani supporters for their unwavering backing and vowed to deliver a performance they can be proud of. “Our fans have always stood by us. We’ll give everything on the pitch to make them proud in these qualifiers. The level among the three teams is close. Every match will be a battle,” he said.Oman are seeking a maiden FIFA World Cup appearance. Six teams have already qualified from Asia – Japan, Iran, South Korea and Australia as well as the two debutants, Uzbekistan and Jordan.

Kuwait has strongly condemned the Israeli occupation forces for intercepting the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.In a statement, the Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed the country’s commitment to the safety of its citizens involved in the mission and is working to secure their safe return.The ministry also called for ensuring the security of all participantsin the flotilla and stressed the importance of upholding international and humanitarian law.Kuwait renewed its call on the international community to take responsibility and exert pressure on Israel to halt its ongoing violations of international law and human rights principles.Oman affirmed that it is following closely the situation of the Omani citizens participating in the flotilla, and reaffirmed its concern for their safety in preparation for their safe return home. It is working actively, through its partners and networks, to ensure the security of the citizens and their safe return to Oman.In a statement by the Omani Foreign Ministry, Oman called for safeguarding all participants in the convoy and ensuring they are not exposed to any risks.Oman renewed its call on the international community to assume its legal and humanitarian responsibilities, to pressure the occupation forces to halt their repeated violations, and to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip without obstruction.Meanwhile, Israel on Friday deported four Italian activists, the first of hundreds detained from an aid flotilla bound for Gaza, shortly after the interception of the group's final boat brought an end to its mission.The Global Sumud Flotilla set sail last month, ferrying politicians and activists including Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg towards Gaza, where the UN says famine is taking hold.The Israeli navy began intercepting the boats on Wednesday. The military said yesterdat that the navy had stopped all 42 of the fleet's vessels "in an operation that lasted approximately 12 hours", and transferred flotilla members to Israel's Ashdod Port for processing by police.Israel's foreign ministry said it deported four Italian activists who were aboard the flotilla, adding that "the rest are in the process of being deported".Israeli police said "more than 470 flotilla participants were taken into custody by the military police, subjected to rigorous screening, and transferred to the prison administration".Authorities earlier said that none of the vessels had breached the maritime blockade of Gaza."Marinette, the last remaining boat of the Global Sumud Flotilla, was intercepted at 10:29am (0729 GMT) local time, approximately 42.5 nautical miles from Gaza," the flotilla's organisers said on Telegram.They added that Israeli naval forces had "illegally intercepted all 42 of our vessels — each carrying humanitarian aid, volunteers, and the determination to break Israel's illegal siege on Gaza".Among those detained were more than 20 journalists, according to media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF), including reporters from Spain's El Pais, Qatar's Al Jazeera and Italy's public broadcaster RAI."Arresting journalists and preventing them from doing their work is a serious violation of the right to inform and be informed," said Martin Roux, head of RSF's crisis desk.

Sheikh Salim bin Said bin Hamed al-Fannah al-Araimi, chairman of Galfar Engineering & Contracting and former president of the Oman Football Association (OFA) passed away Friday. Al-Araimi founded Galfar in 1972, transforming it into Oman’s largest contractor and a public joint stock company in 2007.In addition to his role at Galfar, al-Araimi was chairman of Bank Sohar and Salim International Investment Holding, and served on the board of the Oman Charitable Organisation. His contributions to Oman's infrastructure and economic development were significant, earning him an honorary doctorate from Glasgow Caledonian University in 2007.A passionate advocate for sports, he played a pivotal role in promoting football in Oman, particularly through his leadership at the OFA and involvement with Arouba Club.Al-Araimi’s legacy is marked by his commitment to philanthropy, community development, and sports, leaving a lasting impact on Oman’s growth and prosperity. It was in 1995 that Galfar Al Misnad, began its independent operations in Qatar, building upon the legacy of Galfar Oman.

Qatar secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over Oman at the Under-17 Gulf Cup Wednesday to seal their place in the semi-finals. In a tense encounter at the Grand Hamad Stadium, Faisal Saeed struck the decisive goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time, sparking jubilant celebrations among the home crowd. The result lifted Al Annabi to six points from two matches, ensuring qualification, while Oman remain without a point. In the group’s other fixture, the UAE came from behind to defeat Yemen 2-1 in a thrilling contest at Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium. Yemen took the lead in the 30th minute through an own goal by Emirati defender Butti al-Junaibi. But the same player made amends with the equaliser in the 74th minute before Mohammed Battar struck the winner in the final minute of regular time. The victory also lifted the UAE to six points, confirming their progress to the semi-finals alongside hosts Qatar. Yemen, like Oman, remain pointless and are out of contention. The group stage continues this week, but with two rounds completed, the identity of Group A’s semi-finalists is already decided, setting up a strong run-in to the knockout phase.

The Qatari Businesswomen Association (QBWA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, represented by its Businesswomen Committee, during the symposium on ‘Leadership and Management Development’ held in Muscat.The event was held under the patronage of Sayyid Loay bin Ghalib al-Said and aimed to enhance the capacities of women professionals and empower them to lead the future with confidence and competence.This collaboration reflects QBWA’s ongoing commitment to strengthening the capabilities of women entrepreneurs and supporting them in transforming challenges into investment and development opportunities through the cultivation of confident, future-oriented female leadership.As part of the symposium, Aisha Hussain Alfardan, vice-chairwoman of QBWA, delivered a keynote presentation titled ‘Personal Empowerment, Internal Transformation, and Self-Leadership’. In her remarks, she emphasised that true strength begins from within, and that self-leadership and internal transformation are essential foundations for any form of sustainable development be it at the individual, societal, or national level.Alfardan shared her personal and professional journey, which led her to firmly believe that authentic empowerment starts with self-belief. She noted that the moment a woman realises her potential is the moment she becomes a catalyst for change and progress.She also underscored that empowering women to make decisions and access equal opportunities in the workplace enhances their capacity to lead transformative change.She expressed her pride in sharing her perspective and experience on self-empowerment and leadership, affirming that these elements are the foundation of sustainable leadership. Her work with QBWA, she noted, is a living example of how self-leadership can drive meaningful social impact.Alfardan also participated in a high-level panel discussion titled ‘Inspiring Leadership in a Rapidly Changing World: Between Empowerment and Crisis Management’. The session explored how inspirational leadership shapes workplace environments, how leadership principles translate under pressure, and how institutional leaders can empower teams and foster a culture of innovation.Joining Alfardan on the panel were Ayman bin Hamad al-Busaidi, vice-chairman of SABCO Group; Dr Aflah bin Said al-Hadhrami, general manager at Petroleum Development Oman; and Swati Mandela, president of the Mandela Institute for Humanity.The discussion examined the role of leadership in balancing empowerment with crisis management, with a focus on nurturing women's leadership capabilities and addressing the unique challenges they face in Arab societies.The symposium featured an interactive dialogue titled ‘Challenges and Opportunities in a Changing World’, where Dr Amer Bin Awad al-Rawas, chairman of the Concordia Group, discussed the challenges facing business leaders amid regional and international shifts, explored the opportunities emerging from current economic transformations, and addressed strategies for balancing challenges and opportunities to enhance business sustainability.The symposium concluded with the official MoU signing between Alfardan and Areej Bint Mohsin al-Zaabi, chairwoman of the Businesswomen Committee at the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry.The MoU aims to enhance economic, commercial, and investment co-operation between Qatar and Oman and to facilitate investment processes in both directions. It reaffirms both parties’ commitment to exchanging expertise, supporting women’s empowerment efforts, and highlighting the pivotal role women play in driving economic growth and entrepreneurship.Commenting on the occasion, Alfardan stated: “At the Qatari Businesswomen Association, we firmly believe that strategic regional partnerships, such as this agreement with the Businesswomen Committee in the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, lay the foundation for enhancing trade and investment between our countries. Women’s empowerment is not achieved through awareness alone, but through building sustainable ecosystems that translate into tangible opportunities on the ground.”From her side, al-Zaabi said: “Signing this MoU with the Qatari Businesswomen Association represents a significant step toward unifying Gulf efforts to support women entrepreneurs and enhance knowledge and trade exchange between Omani and Qatari women. We believe that joint cooperation is the key to fostering a culture of innovation, competitiveness, and meaningful participation of women in economic development.”The initiative reflects QBWA’s dedication to establishing a comprehensive platform for empowering women and enhancing their social and economic presence. It is part of a broader strategy to expand the association’s local, regional, and international impact by forging partnerships with institutions that share its mission to elevate women’s status across all sectors.

Deputy Prime Minister for Defense Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman Shihab bin Tarik bin Taimur Al Said arrived in Doha on Monday to participate in the Emergency Arab-Islamic Summit. Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs and the accompanying delegation were welcomed upon arrival at Hamad International Airport by HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al-Thani and HE Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the State of Qatar Ammar bin Abdullah bin Sultan Albusaidi.

The Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA) held a meeting with Qais bin Mohammed al-Yousef, the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion of Oman, and his accompanying delegation in Doha Saturday.The meeting, held on the sidelines of a luncheon hosted by QBA deputy chairman Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Thani al-Thani, discussed bilateral co-operation, especially in commercial, economic, and investment sectors, as well as the role of the private sector in boosting mutual trade and joint investments.QBA chairman HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani welcomed the minister and his delegation in the presence of board members Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser bin Khaled al-Thani and Saud al-Mana.Also in attendance were QBA members Ibrahim Jaidah, Ashraf Abu Issa, Faisal al-Mana, Nabil Abu Issa, Maqbool Habib Khalfan, Yousef al-Mahmoud, Dr Mohammed Althaf, and QBA deputy general manager Sarah Abdallah.Sheikh Faisal noted that the brotherly relations between the two countries serve as a distinguished model within the GCC, highlighting the increase in reciprocal visits aimed at strengthening economic partnerships between Doha and Muscat.He also proposed the formation of a joint technical committee to study potential investment opportunities in various developmental projects across Oman, whether in industries, tourism, and the medical and pharmaceutical sectors, among others. This committee would aim to identify clear projects for both sides, paving the way for meaningful investments in agreed sectors, he said.The Invest Oman Authority, affiliated with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, presented investment opportunities to Qatari investors in diverse sectors, such as fisheries, food and pharmaceutical industries, manufacturing, technology, mining, renewable energy, tourism, and agriculture.Sheikh Khalid emphasised the strength of the brotherly ties between Qatar and Oman, describing them as a model of constructive cooperation. He affirmed the commitment of both leaderships to deepening strategic ties, especially economically, based on the belief that these partnerships significantly contribute to the countries’ development visions through active involvement of the private sector — the cornerstone of a successful economy.He further stated that Oman is an important economic and trade partner for Qatar, highlighting the recent visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to Oman, accompanied by a large delegation of businessmen. This visit marked a step forward in advancing cooperation in strategic sectors, such as tourism, manufacturing, food security, education, and logistics — all representing projects of mutual economic value.For his part, al-Yousef thanked the QBA for hosting the ministry’s delegation and praised the bilateral relations between the two sides. He invited QBA members to visit Muscat to explore the various available investment opportunities.He welcomed QBA’s proposal to form a joint technical committee under the supervision of his ministry, aimed at laying the necessary groundwork to turn ideas into real projects. He stressed that building sustainable economic partnerships between the two countries is a strategic necessity and emphasised his ministry’s commitment to intensifying efforts and communication to eliminate any challenges facing investors.He also praised the QBA’s positive role in supporting joint efforts to enhance economic and trade co-operation. The minister also praised Qatari investments in Oman and expressed Oman’s desire to see more Qatari private sector investment.The Omani side presented a detailed overview of investment opportunities across several sectors and outlined the incentives provided to foreign investors, along with key indicators and facilitations in the business environment.They pointed out that Oman has 22 free and industrial economic zones, offering significant investment opportunities in various sectors, including logistics, food industries, tourism, mining, education, innovation, technology, healthcare, and more.Trade volume between the two countries increased by nearly 20% last year, reaching over QR6.2bn.

HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani received a phone call on Wednesday from Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of the Sultanate of Oman. During the call, the Sultan expressed Oman's solidarity with the State of Qatar and its strong condemnation of the blatant Israeli attack that targeted the residences of several Hamas leaders, describing it as a criminal act and a flagrant violation of all international laws and norms, as well as a threat to the security of the State of Qatar and the region. The Sultan also reaffirmed Oman's firm rejection of any aggression that threatens the security and safety of the State of Qatar and undermines the security and stability of the region, emphasizing that the Sultanate of Oman stands with the State of Qatar in all measures it takes to protect its security and preserve its sovereignty. For his part, HH the Amir affirmed that the State of Qatar will take all necessary measures to protect its security and preserve its sovereignty in response to the blatant Israeli attack. His Highness also expressed his thanks to HM the Sultan for his sincere fraternal sentiments and Oman's valued solidarity with the State of Qatar and its people.

The Sultanate of Oman expressed its solidarity with the State of Qatar, its leadership, government, and people, and its strong condemnation and denunciation of the brutal attack launched by Israel on Qatari territory, as well as the crimes of political assassinations and acts of treachery it carries out in blatant violation of international law and a flagrant breach of state sovereignty. It also constitutes a dangerous escalation that threatens the security and stability of the region and distances it further away from the path to peace.The Oman News Agency reported that Muscat supports all measures taken by the State of Qatar to confront this provocative aggression and calls on the international community to assume its moral and political responsibilities and to exercise its legal authority to deter Israel and curb its violations of the principles of security and peace in the region.

The Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Estonia held a round of political consultations on Monday. The talks were led by Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi and Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna. Discussions centered on enhancing collaboration in key sectors, including renewable energy, technology, and artificial intelligence. The two ministers also exchanged views on a range of regional and international issues of mutual concern.