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Cape Verde beat Eswatini 3-0 on Monday to secure a spot at the 2026 World Cup, booking their place in football’s global showpiece for the very first time.The team from an archipelago off the coast of Senegal has about 550,000 inhabitants, making Cape Verde the country with the smallest population to represent Africa in the global showpiece.Cape Verde won Group D with 23 points, four more than Cameroon, who hold the African record for World Cup appearances with eight. Cameroon drew 0-0 with Angola in Yaounde.After dominating the first half of the 2026 qualifier, but seldom threatening to score, the Blue Sharks struck twice through Dailon Livramento and Willy Semedo in the first nine minutes after half-time before a 15,000 flag-waving crowd in Praia.Livramento claimed his fourth goal of the 10-round qualifying campaign on 48 minutes and Semedo struck six minutes later. Both goals came from close-range tap-ins.Cape Verde added a third goal in added time when Stopira, a substitute for Joao Paulo, pounced on a loose ball to score.Cape Verde rely heavily on players born outside the nation to Cape Verdean parents or grandparents. Livramento was born in Rotterdam and Semedo near Paris.Eswatini had come to the 10-island archipelago with little attacking ambition, adopting a 5-4-1 formation in front of goalkeeper Khanyakwezwe Shabalala. But after conceding twice there was no way back for the team from southern Africa, who lost seven qualifiers and drew the other three.Cape Verde spread the national team net wide with three starters based in Portugal and one each in the United States, Republic of Ireland, UAE, Romania, Russia, Netherlands, Turkey and Cyprus.The remarkable qualification of Cape Verde came after they made a disappointing start to the 10-match campaign, drawing 0-0 at home with Angola and slumping to a 4-1 loss in Cameroon. Those results left the Blue Sharks with four points from a possible nine, having won away to Eswatini in between. But after the matchday three loss in Yaounde, Cape Verde won five consecutive qualifiers, including crucial one-goal victories away to Angola and at home to Cameroon.That left the islanders needing three points from their final two qualifiers this month and a drama-filled 3-3 in Libya secured one before hosting Eswatini.Last year, in the midst of the World Cup campaign, Cape Verde fared poorly in 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying, winning only one match of six and failing to secure a place at the tournament.Despite flopping in a group from which Egypt and Botswana advanced, Cape Verdean officials retained faith in long-serving coach Pedro Leitao Brito.After two stints as assistant coach of the national team and spells with five local clubs, the coach popularly known as Bubista took charge of Cape Verde in 2020.The 55-year-old former centre-back, who represented his country 21 times, guided Cape Verde to successive AFCON tournaments, in Cameroon three years ago and Ivory Coast last year.They reached the knockout phase each time, making a last-16 exit, then losing a quarter-final against South Africa on penalties after having four spot-kicks saved. In Group H, already-qualified Tunisia achieved a ninth victory by overcoming second-placed Namibia 3-0 near Tunis with Hannibal Mejbri from Premier League outfit Burnley among the scorers.The Carthage Eagles, who will make a seventh appearance at the World Cup next year, scored 22 goals in 10 qualifiers and did not concede. Despite the loss, Namibia edged Liberia on goal difference for the runners-up spot, but will finish last in the table for second-placed nations and be eliminated.Having suspended French coach Nicolas Dupuis after a five-goal hiding from Senegal last Friday, South Sudan kept a clean sheet in a 0-0 Group B draw with fellow eliminated side Togo.Top spot in the section rests between Senegal, the leaders with 21 points, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, who are two points behind. Both play their final qualifiers Tuesday.Scotland stay in contention, Dutch move closerScotland ground out a 2-1 home win over Belarus on Sunday, to stay in contention for automatic qualification to the 2026 World Cup, while the Netherlands closed in on securing their berth at the tournament with a win over Finland. Steve Clarke’s Scotland sit joint top of Group C with Denmark, after the Danes beat Greece 3-1 with Rasmus Hojlund opening the scoring for the home team.Denmark are first in the pool on goal difference but their win in Copenhagen ensured Scotland of at least a play-off spot as they bid to make a first World Cup appearance since 1998.The pool-toppers meet in the final qualification matchday on November 18 in Glasgow.Che Adams scored the opener for the hosts on the quarter-hour at Hampden Park in an otherwise uninspiring performance by Scotland. They thought they were due a penalty just shy of the hour for a succession of incidents in the Belarus box, including two calls for a foul and hand-ball shouts going both ways, but after a lengthy VAR review the referee declined the home side’s appeals and awarded a free-kick out.

The Organising Committee of the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (Dimdex 2026) held a diplomatic briefing yesterday, ahead of the convention of the 9th expo. The briefing took place at the Qatar Amiri Naval Forces Base — Umm Al Houl and was attended by HE the Commander of the Amiri Naval Forces Major General (Navy) Abdullah bin Hassan al-Sulaiti, ambassadors, diplomatic mission representatives, alongside military and commercial attaches accredited to Qatar.Throughout this briefing, the committee presented the most important information and logistical arrangements pertaining to participation in this event, as well as the key developments that deepened Dimdex’s standing as a leading global platform in the defence sector, highlighting the impact of its increasing commercial growth and capability of meeting the sector’s needs.Organised and hosted by Qatar Armed Forces, the event will be held under the patronage of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani from Jan 19-22, 2026, at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) under the theme ‘A Global Hub for Defence Innovations: Invest in Possibilities to Shape a Secure Tomorrow’.Chairman of the Dimdex Organising Committee, Staff Brigadier (Sea) Abdulbaqi Saleh al-Ansari, underscored the importance of this event, which positions itself as a key platform showcasing commercial opportunities and strategic partnerships in the defence field. He emphasised that the committee is ready to present a broad new edition of this high-stakes event.Dimdex 2026 has significantly contributed to encouraging collaboration and partnerships, fostering communication channels, and streamlining major commercial deals, Brig al-Ansari said during the briefing.He added that this convention earns growing significance amid the accelerating challenges in today’s world, which literally contributes to bolstering the essential defensive capabilities to protect national sovereignty and assets, in addition to ensuring the security and safety of peoples.“Dimdex continues to grow in significance in light of the rapidly evolving challenges our world faces today, contributing to the advancement of defence capabilities essential for safeguarding national sovereignty, protecting resources, and ensuring the security and safety of nations and peoples. Dimdex reflects the State of Qatar’s steadfast commitment to supporting security and stability and reaffirms its position as a prominent international event that attracts the world’s leading defence companies.It continues to open new horizons for co-operation and business opportunities, which has been clearly demonstrated through the notable growth in the numbers of exhibitors, delegations, and visitors, as well as in the value of contracts and agreements signed during previous editions,” Brig al-Ansari said.“The exhibition will feature the participation of more than 200 national and international defence and related companies, in addition to 8 major national pavilions showcasing the latest innovations and military technologies. For the first time, Dimdex 2026 will be extended to four days, and will host a series of specialised workshops introduced in direct response to exhibitor demand, demonstrating Dimdex Organisers’ commitment to understanding and addressing the needs of the commercial industry. These workshops, delivered by exhibitors from Jan 20-22, will present their advanced solutions, innovative technologies, and strategic insights on the future of maritime defence and security”, he added.Staff Colonel (Air) Jarrah Sabah al-Abdallah, from the Joaan Bin Jassim Academy for Defence Studies, partners of the Middle East Naval Commanders Conference (MENC), said: “The Middle East Naval Commanders Conference will convene under the theme ‘Defence Diplomacy and Maritime Security Challenges’. The conference will serve as an academic platform to examine the intersection of defence diplomacy and maritime security, and to develop strategies aimed at enhancing stability at sea. It will also highlight the importance of multilateral frameworks in securing critical sea lanes and safeguarding nations’ economic and strategic interests.The conference will feature distinguished local and international speakers, naval commanders from across the globe, as well as leading academics, who will deliberate on the latest geopolitical trends and the evolving challenges to maritime security”.

Kylian Mbappe and Ibrahima Konate have been ruled out of Monday's 2026 World Cup qualifier in Iceland where France could book their ticket to next year's tournament. Already suffering from a "small niggle" in his right ankle from playing for Real Madrid, Mbappe took two knocks during Friday's 3-0 World Cup qualifying win over Azerbaijan in Paris, where he opened the scoring but was substituted before the end of the match.Liverpool defender Konate remained on the bench with a right thigh problem with his place against Iceland now taken by Marseille's Benjamin Pavard. Mbappe's absence adds to the long list of forwards unavailable for October's World Cup qualifiers, which includes Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Marcus Thuram and Bradley Barcola.After returning to the Clairefontaine training ground on Friday night, "the French team captain spoke with (coach) Didier Deschamps who acknowledged his absence", the French federation (FFF) said in a statement.Mbappe "has been released to his club (Real Madrid) and will not be replaced", the FFF added, confirming hours later that Konate "has returned to his club's availability".Konate had joined the team with a slight injury and "underwent treatment and a specific protocol but will not be able to play Monday in Reykjavik", the FFF said.Mbappe scored on the stroke of half-time against Azerbaijan and was then struck by a tackle from Rustam Ahmedzade. He took another knock to the same ankle late in the game, and was replaced by Florian Thauvin. "He has a sore ankle and he took a knock there. He preferred to come off; the pain was quite significant," Deschamps said after the French victory.Adrien Rabiot and the substitute Thauvin were also on the scoresheet as Deschamps's team remain unbeaten after three games and top of Group D. Les Bleus will book their passage to the United States, Canada and Mexico next year if they win in Iceland on Monday and Ukraine fail to beat Azerbaijan.Germany cruiseMeanwhile, captain Joshua Kimmich's double inspired four-time winners Germany to a 4-0 win over 10-man Luxembourg and to the top of Group A on goal difference with Slovakia and Northern Ireland, who await them in Belfast tomorrow. Germany showed the poise and swagger that had abandoned them so far in their World Cup qualifying campaign, losing away in Slovakia for the first time and edging past Northern Ireland at home.Kimmich converted a first-half penalty and tapped in from close range just after the break. David Raum's first-half free kick and a Serge Gnabry goal early in the second half secured the Germans an important victory. Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann praised his team's "aggression and greed". "We could have scored one or two more, but it was a deserved win, one we absolutely wanted and needed," he added.Germany were eliminated at the group stage of the World Cup in 2018 and 2022. Lowly Luxembourg's task was made even harder when after only 20 minutes Dirk Carlson saw red and gave away a penalty for handball in the box.Northern Ireland kept alive their dream of appearing at their fourth World Cup and first since 1986 with a 2-0 home win over Slovakia courtesy of Patrik Hrosovsky's own goal and Trai Hume's stunning volley nine minutes from time to ignite the fans at Windsor Park. "It was a great night, good performance and the most important thing is the three points. I think we deserved it" said the Sunderland defender.Ukraine sit second in the group, five points adrift, after a captivating 5-3 win in Iceland. Switzerland maintained their perfect record to keep control of Group B with a 2-0 defeat of a Sweden side featuring Liverpool's new British transfer record signing Alexander Isak.Kosovo and Slovenia slogged it out for a goalless draw in the group's other game. Belgium, seeking a 13th appearance at the World Cup, were held to a goalless draw at home to North Macedonia, who famously downed Germany in qualifying for the 2022 World Cup and now sit top of Group J, tantalisingly close to a first ever seat at football's high table next year.

The Ministry of Municipality Organising and Supervisory Committee of the 13th Qatar International Agricultural Exhibition 2026 has announced the launch of the photography competition 'Lens of Qatari Agriculture', in partnership with the Qatar Photography Center, in conjunction with the start of preparations for the 2026 edition of the exhibition.The competition aims to highlight the added value of the local agricultural sector as a key pillar in achieving Qatar National Vision 2030, while anticipating the future needs in the areas of food security and sustainability.It seeks to employ artistic creativity and modern technologies to shed light on the aesthetic aspects of Qatar’s agricultural landscapes.Youssef Khalid al-Khelaifi, Chairman of the Organizing and Supervisory Committee of the 13th Qatar International Agricultural Exhibition 2026, said that this competition comes within the Ministry’s efforts to connect this vital sector with the community through visual arts.He added: “We see this initiative as an effective way to showcase Qatar’s agricultural success stories and to highlight our commitment to the highest international standards in sustainable agricultural production.”Meanwhile, Jassim al-Buainain, Director of Qatar Photography Center, confirmed that the 'Lens of Qatari Agriculture' competition opens new horizons for photographers to showcase their creativity and document the stages of agricultural development in Qatar. “We are confident that this initiative will contribute to strengthening the country’s position on the global map and presenting visual content that aligns with international trends supporting the environment and sustainability,” he said.Participation applications will be accepted from October 12, until the end of the photography period on January 15, 2026, and the winners will be announced on February 11, 2026, on the sidelines of the upcoming Qatar International Agricultural Exhibition.The competition will run for three months and aims to document the beauty and diversity of Qatar’s agricultural landscape through the lenses of both professional and amateur photographers alike. The winning photos will be displayed during the Qatar International Agricultural Exhibition 2026, embodying a constructive partnership between government institutions and the cultural and artistic sectors, reflecting the harmony between the Third National Development Strategy and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Gabon star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored four goals and was sent off in African 2026 World Cup qualifying, while minnows Benin built a two-point lead in the ‘group of death’.Aubameyang kept Gabon in contention for a first appearance at the global showpiece as his goals gave Gabon a 4-3 victory over the Gambia, and they trail Group F leaders Ivory Coast by one point. Group C leaders Benin won 1-0 in Rwanda to go two points clear of South Africa, who could only draw 0-0 with Zimbabwe.Nigeria moved within three points of Benin, who they host on Tuesday, by defeating Lesotho 2-1. Losses eliminated Rwanda and Lesotho, turning the group into a three-team contest for first place. Algeria, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia have already won groups to claim four of the nine places reserved for Africa. There could be a 10th representative after inter-continental play-offs next March.The final matchday, from Sunday to Tuesday, will decide the other five places, with Senegal, Benin, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast and Ghana the current table toppers. Benin won thanks to an 80th-minute goal from Aiyegun Tosin to retain first place in a group that Nigeria and South Africa were expected to dominate.Mohau Nkota and Lyle Foster hit the woodwork in a disappointing performance by South Africa, who sorely missed injured striker Iqraam Rayners. Both teams finished with 10 men after Zimbabwe striker Knowledge Musona and South Africa defender Mbekezile Mbokazi were sent off in the second half having been shown two yellow cards.Captain William Troost-Ekong, from a penalty, and substitute Akor Adams scored in the second half for Nigeria before Hlompho Kalake halved the deficit. Both Zimbabwe and Lesotho were handicapped, playing in South Africa as they do not have FIFA-approved stadiums.Africa Cup of Nations holders Ivory Coast triumphed 7-0 away to the Seychelles, having won the first match between them 9-0 in Abidjan two years ago. Seven different players scored, starting with Nottingham Forest midfielder Ibrahim Sangare on seven minutes and finishing with substitute Franck Kessie in the final minute of regular time.Seychelles, who are 159 places below Ivory Coast in the world rankings, have conceded 46 goals while losing all nine qualifiers. Gabon remained one point behind the Ivory Coast in Group F with a dramatic victory over the Gambia in Nairobi.The Gabonese led twice, then trailed before Marseille striker Aubameyang scored two more goals. He was yellow-carded twice in the closing stages, leading to his dismissal on 86 minutes. Ivory Coast have 23 points and Gabon 22 ahead of the final round next week, when both teams will enjoy home advantage. The Ivorians play Kenya and the Gabonese face Burundi.Senegal maintained a two-point lead over the Democratic Republic of Congo in Group B after the contenders had contrasting away victories.Seeking a third straight appearance at the World Cup, Senegal hammered South Sudan 5-0 in Juba, where Crystal Palace striker Ismaila Sarr netted twice.Veteran two-time African Footballer of the Year Sadio Mane was also among the goals as Senegal turned a 1-0 half-time lead into a decisive victory. A solitary goal, scored by veteran striker Cedric Bakambu after seven minutes, earned DR Congo a tense 1-0 win in Togo.Senegal have 21 points and DR Congo 19 ahead of their final fixtures. The Senegalese host Mauritania while the Congolese will be at home to Sudan. Sudan drew 0-0 with Mauritania in Dar es Salaam, a result that eliminated them from the race for a World Cup place.

Scotland roared back to beat Greece 3-1 on Thursday to boost their hopes of direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup, while Cody Gakpo inspired the Netherlands to a 4-0 win in Malta.The Greeks took the lead in Glasgow early in the second period through Kostas Tsimikas, before Scotland hit back through Ryan Christie, Lewis Ferguson and Lyndon Dykes to secure a second win from three Group C qualifying matches for Steve Clarke’s side. Scotland are looking to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1998.“Massive win. We’re not naive enough to know we weren’t at our best tonight. The reaction to going 1-0 down was brilliant,” said Christie. “Two massive games – that’s one ticked off and now onto Sunday (when Scotland take on Belarus).”Tsimikas, on loan at Roma from Premier League champions Liverpool, gave Greece a deserved lead on 62 minutes as he stroked home a breaking ball from the edge of the six-yard box. But Hampden Park roared two minutes later as Christie bundled in from close range to level for the hosts – the goal finally validated after a lengthy VAR check for offside.A deflected Che Adams effort in the 75th minute bobbled narrowly wide as the home side woke up. The decisive goal came five minutes later as Ferguson opened his account for Scotland, blasting in after the Greeks failed to clear an Andy Robertson free-kick. Angus Gunn made a fine save to keep Scotland ahead in injury time, before Dykes pounced on a goalkeeping error at the other end to seal the win. Denmark top Group C, though are level on seven points with Scotland and four ahead of Greece, courtesy of a handsome 6-0 win in Belarus.Napoli striker Rasmus Hojlund continued his fine vein of form as he netted twice for the Danes. Liverpool’s Gakpo converted two spot-kicks either side of the break and set up Manchester City midfielder Tijjani Reijnders for the Netherlands’s third goal, with Memphis Depay also netting late on.A fourth win in five matches for Ronald Koeman’s side leaves them top of Group G on 13 points, three clear of second-placed Poland. Finland sit third - also on 10 points, albeit having played one match more than the Dutch and Polish - after a 2-1 win at home to Lithuania.Croatia and the Czech Republic remain locked level at the summit of Group L after playing out a goalless stalemate in Prague, however the 2018 World Cup runners-up have a game in hand. Faroe Islands secured a third win in six outings in the group, beating Montenegro 4-0 in Torshavn, to sit four points behind the pair.In Group H, Austria thumped San Marino 10-0 at home as Marko Arnautovic grabbed four goals, while Bosnia and Hercegovina drew 2-2 with Cyprus in Larnaca. Cyprus’s 97th-minute equaliser from the spot condemned Bosnia to second place in the pool, two points behind the Austrians who also have a game in hand on the Bosnians.

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.

Mohamed Salah wants to put a disappointing start to his season with Liverpool behind him Wednesday and help Egypt beat Djibouti and qualify for the 2026 World Cup.A win for the record seven-time African champions over one of the lowest ranked teams in the continent will give them an unassailable lead over second-placed Burkina Faso in Group A with one match to spare.A two-time African Footballer of the Year, Salah has lost his spark with the Premier League champions, scoring just three goals in nine appearances in all competitions this season. Last season, the 33-year-old netted 29 times in 38 league matches to win the Golden Boot award as Liverpool surged to a record-equalling 20th Premier League title.Salah has fond memories of playing against Djibouti, scoring four goals in a 6-0 Cairo romp in the opening round of World Cup qualifying two years ago.It does not help Djibouti that they do not have a FIFA-approved stadium, so their ‘home’ match against Egypt will be staged in the Moroccan commercial capital Casablanca.Three subsequent goals took Salah to seven in the qualifying campaign, one less than chart-topper Denis Bouanga of Gabon with two rounds remaining.Fellow Egypt forward Mostafa Mohamed, who plays for French Ligue 1 outfit Nantes, is not concerned about Salah, telling reporters the lack of goals is “a temporary setback”.“Mo is a big star, and we are lucky to have him in our team. He is the best player in the history of Egypt,” he told the FIFA website.“He is amazing. For me, he has a great personality. I love him a lot. He is a wonderful player,” added Mohamed, who also scored against Djibouti.Egypt coach Hossam Hassan has an embarrassment of attacking riches, Apart from Salah and Mohamed, he can call on Omar Marmoush, Mahmoud ‘Trezeguet’ Hassan and Ahmed ‘Zizo’ Sayed.Given Djibouti have lost seven of eight qualifiers and lie 158 places below Egypt in the FIFA rankings, it would be a shock if they prevent the Pharaohs sealing a fourth World Cup appearance.Algeria set to qualifyAlgeria and Cape Verde are the other two countries who can clinch places at the World Cup with matchday nine victories, and join already-qualified Morocco and Tunisia in North and Central America next year.Senegal, reigning African champions Ivory Coast and Ghana could also take unassailable leads, but they must win and hope other group results favour them.Group C, where Benin lead South Africa on goal difference and Nigeria and Rwanda are three points behind, is the one section where a qualifier cannot emerge before the final round, starting on Sunday.Like Egypt, Algeria can qualify if they secure maximum points against a much lower ranked opponent. The Desert Foxes have the added advantage of playing an ‘away’ Group G match against Somalia at home.Security concerns prevent Somalia staging matches in Mogadishu, and a 163-place rankings gap behind Algeria demonstrates the difficult challenge facing the Ocean Stars in Oran on Thursday.Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic has called up for the first time Luca Zidane, a 27-year-old goalkeeper with Spanish second-tier club Granada and son of French great Zinedine Zidane.Luca, who qualifies for Algeria because his paternal grandparents were born there, has switched international allegiance after representing France at youth levels.Algeria are seeking a fifth appearance at the global showpiece, while Cape Verde are hoping to qualify for the first time. They face Libya in Tripoli on Wednesday.A former Portuguese colony, Cape Verde is a group of islands off the west coast with about 550,000 inhabitants.Qualification would make them the African country with the smallest population to do so.Even if the Cape Verdeans fail in Libya, they will get a second chance on Monday to collect three points needed to finish above Cameroon when they host bottom team Eswatini in Group D.Ghana will win Group I Wednesday if they beat the Central African Republic and Madagascar do not collect maximum points against the Comoros.Senegal can qualify from Group B if they win in South Sudan on Friday and the Democratic Republic of Congo fail to win in Togo.Ivory Coast, who last featured at a World Cup in 2014, would return if they win away to the Seychelles and Gabon lose to the Gambia.Failure to win a group does not spell the end of the road, though. The four best-ranked runners-up enter African play-offs in November from which the winners go to intercontinental play-offs in March.

Qatar head coach Julen Lopetegui has underlined the high stakes and intense pressure surrounding his side’s upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup play-off match against Oman, which will be played Wednesday at 6pm Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Al Sadd.The Group A encounter marks the opening round of the fourth stage of the AFC Asian Qualifiers, with the United Arab Emirates also part of the group with matches to be played in a single round-robin format. Group B hosts Saudi Arabia will have Iraq and Indonesia for company.Only the group winner is guaranteed automatic qualification to the next year’s World Cup, which will be co-hosted by USA, Canada and Mexico. A final qualifying chance is available to the runners-up of each group, who will square off in a two-legged showdown across November 13 and 18. This Knockout Stage will determine the Asian representative at the FIFA Play-Off Tournament, where they will have to fend off opponents from other confederations to claim one of two berths.Speaking at a press conference ahead of the match, Lopetegui stressed the importance of mental focus and readiness in this critical stage. “We are heading into a decisive and pivotal stage with two crucial matches requiring the highest levels of mental preparedness,” said the Spanish coach, who took charge of the team in May.The former Spain and Real Madrid manager acknowledged the strength of the Omani side, now led by veteran Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz, who had a brief stint with Qatar as well.“We will face a strong Omani team, whom we know well and respect, under the leadership of a great coach in Carlos Queiroz. Our goal is to achieve the dream of reaching the World Cup, which will only be achieved by exerting our utmost effort.”While optimistic, Lopetegui made it clear that Qatar’s lineup for the match is not yet finalised, citing ongoing assessments of player fitness and readiness. “We have many different situations, and we must wait until tomorrow to determine the full readiness of the players before selecting the ideal lineup for the first match,” he said.Qatar, who are still finding their rhythm under Lopetegui, will be hoping for a strong start after an uneven run of results — including losses to Lebanon and Russia, and a 2-2 draw with Bahrain in friendlies. Almoez Ali is expected to lead the attack, with creative duties falling to star forward Akram Afif.Lopetegui remained firm in his belief that the squad has what it takes to rise to the occasion — if they channel their focus and energy effectively. “It is important for the players to work hard to achieve this dream. We must work to demonstrate the required balance in order to perform optimally in both matches and harness all our positive energy to achieve victory,” the Spaniard said.Players’ morale is high, says KhoukhiVeteran defender Boualem Khoukhi echoed his coach’s sentiments and emphasised the team’s preparation and determination to start the campaign with a win.“We are ready for the match, which will not be easy. The players' morale is high, and we seek to demonstrate a high degree of focus to achieve victory,” he said.The experienced centre-back acknowledged the challenge posed by Oman but stressed that the players are aware of what’s at stake. “We realise the importance of the two matches, and our focus will now be on the match against Oman. The fans' presence will be a great motivator and incentive for the players to achieve victory and secure our first three points.”With expectations running high and only limited opportunities in the group stage, Boualem made a direct appeal to the supporters and vowed that the team is ready to deliver. “The ball is in the players' court, and we are expecting a large turnout from our fans, and God willing, we will not disappoint.”Oman, meanwhile, will look to continue their progression under Carlos Queiroz. In-form striker Issam al-Sabhi, who scored twice in their most recent win over Qatar during the 2024 Gulf Cup, will be key to their attacking hopes.

Kylian Mbappe is receiving treatment for a "small niggle" in his right ankle after meeting up with his international team-mates ahead of the latest round of 2026 World Cup qualifiers, France coach Didier Deschamps said Monday.The France captain sustained the knock at the end of Real Madrid's 3-1 La Liga victory over Villarreal on Saturday, casting doubts over his availability to the national team for their upcoming qualifying matches against Azerbaijan and Iceland."I spoke with Kylian, he had a small niggle but it's not serious, otherwise he wouldn't be here today," Deschamps told reporters at the French team's Clairefontaine base near Paris."We will take the time with the medical staff to assess the situation and then see how it develops."Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate also underwent tests, after coming off injured in the Reds' 2-1 defeat at Chelsea on Saturday.The pair received treatment on Monday during training and are set to continue treatment on Tuesday, according to the French national team's coaching staff.The French football federation (FFF) also confirmed Paris Saint-Germain forward Bradley Barcola would be sent home from Clairefontaine due to a hamstring injury."After consulting with the French national team doctor... (Barcola) has been diagnosed with a chronic injury to his right hamstring since Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League match against Atalanta (on September 17)," the FFF said.PSG then publicly rejected the diagnosis of the 23-year-old by France's medical team."The information published in this statement does not correspond in any way to the medical information provided by Paris Saint-Germain's medical teams," the club posted on social media."Prior to the gathering (at Clairefontaine) and following the Ligue 1 matchday 7 fixture against Lille, Paris Saint-Germain provided the French national team with a medical report on Bradley Barcola that made no mention of any chronic injury following the match against Atalanta."The attacker played 60 minutes of PSG's Ligue 1 draw at Lille on Sunday before being replaced, showing no apparent signs of injury during the encounter.Should Barcola end up facing time on the sidelines, he would be a further addition to PSG's lengthy injury list which already includes fellow France forwards Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue, as well as Marquinhos, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Fabian Ruiz and Joao Neves.Last month there was friction between the two parties after PSG criticised the French national team staff following injuries suffered by Dembele and Doue during France's opening Group D win over Ukraine.Les Bleus are top of their group with two wins from two so far in qualifying. They host Azerbaijan on Friday at PSG's Parc des Princes stadium before travelling to Iceland three days later.

Qatar have intensified their preparations for two crucial matches that will decide their fate in the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as they prepare to host Oman and the United Arab Emirates at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Al Sadd.Al Annabi will open their campaign against Oman tomorrow, before facing the UAE on October 14, with Oman and the UAE meeting in between on October 11. The group winner will qualify directly for the World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada next year. The runner-up will face the second-placed team from Group B — which includes Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Indonesia — in a two-legged play-off on November 13 and 18, with the winner advancing to the intercontinental play-off.Of the three sides in Group A, only Qatar and the UAE have appeared at the World Cup — Qatar making their debut as hosts in 2022, while the UAE’s sole appearance came in 1990. Oman are still seeking their first-ever qualification.Oman will hope to repeat their 2–1 victory over Qatar in last year’s Gulf Cup — their first win in 11 meetings since 2009. But Qatar, buoyed by the home crowd and the confidence of being back-to-back Asian Cup winners, will aim for a strong start. All matches will be played in Doha, giving the reigning Asian champions a clear home advantage as they target back-to-back qualifications, albeit first time on merit.Qatar topped their group in the second round of qualifying with 16 points, finishing ahead of Kuwait, India and Afghanistan. However, they struggled in the third round, ending fourth in Group A behind Iran, Uzbekistan and the UAE. Iran and Uzbekistan secured direct qualification, while Qatar and the UAE dropped into the play-offs.Qatar appointed Julen Lopetegui, the former Spain and Real Madrid coach, in May following his departure from West Ham United. Tasked with guiding Al Annabi back to the World Cup, Lopetegui has faced challenges, particularly in defence, and will need to manage pressure carefully in these decisive fixtures.Several former players have expressed confidence in Qatar’s chances. Former national team and Al Sadd forward Hassan Mattar told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that a strong start against Oman is crucial for building momentum and confidence. “Victory in the opening match will be a major step toward qualification,” Mattar said. “It will help the players settle early and give them belief ahead of the UAE clash.”He acknowledged that Qatar fell short of expectations in the previous qualifying round but said hosting the play-off stage in Doha provides a chance to reset. “This is the ideal opportunity for the team to get back on track,” he added. “Experience will be vital — these matches demand focus, discipline, and a fighting spirit. Small details often decide games at this level.”Mattar also called on the team to minimise errors and make full use of home support, saying the players’ mental and physical readiness will be key to achieving the desired results.Another former international, Abdulaziz Hassan, expressed optimism that Qatar’s current squad has the experience to handle pressure and the attacking firepower to make a difference. “Playing at home will give the players a strong push,” he said. “This group includes quality players like Akram Afif, Almoez Ali and Edmilson — players who can decide matches in key moments.”Hassan cautioned that Qatar must avoid complacency, noting the group is evenly matched. “The levels of Qatar, Oman and the UAE are quite close,” he said. “Every point matters — especially in the first game against Oman, which could shape the path to qualification.”

The Qatar Football Association (QFA) has announced ticket sales for the fourth round of Group A matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers to be held in Doha from October 8 to 14, 2025.Group A brings together Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Oman, with all fixtures to be held Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium. The opening match on October 8 will see Qatar face Oman at 8pm, followed by the UAE against Oman on October 11 at 8:15pm, while the final match on October 14 will pit Qatar against the UAE, also at 8:15pm. Group B matches, involving Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Indonesia, will be staged in Jeddah during the same period.The QFA confirmed that tickets for Qatari fans for the clash with Oman will go on sale on September 29, while tickets for the UAE fixture will be available from October 9. Prices have been set at QR60 for first category and QR25 riyals for second category, with a maximum of six tickets permitted per person. Tickets can be purchased exclusively online at tickets.qfa.qa, while fans with disabilities can request access via [email protected] for Emirati fans are being handled by the UAE Football Association, with a limited number for the UAE-Oman encounter to be released on October 1. Allocations for Omani fans, handled by their federation, have already sold out.The QFA also issued important instructions, confirming there will be no ticket sales points at the stadium and warning that ticket distribution near the venue is prohibited in order to ensure fan safety and avoid congestion. For inquiries, supporters can contact [email protected] top team from each group will qualify directly for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The second-placed teams will meet in a two-leg playoff on November 13 and 18, 2025, with the winner advancing to the intercontinental playoff.Match Schedule – Group AOctober 8: Qatar vs Oman (20:00)October 11: UAE vs Oman (20:15)October 14: Qatar vs UAE (20:15)