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Qatar's star striker Akram Afif expressed his delight at the team’s historic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico, saying that reaching the tournament through the qualifiers marks a new milestone for Qatari football.Afif, who was among the three finalists for the AFC Player of the Year award at the annual awards ceremony in Riyadh and lost out to Saudi Arabia’s Salem al-Dawsari. said he felt proud to be nominated once again for Asia’s top individual honour.“I congratulate the Qatari fans on qualifying for the World Cup, which is a significant achievement for Qatari football after our participation in the last edition as host,” the Al Sadd forward said.The two-time AFC Player of the Year winner, who helped lead Qatar to a 2-1 victory over the United Arab Emirates in Tuesday’s Asian play-off, added that the national team’s qualification reflected the hard work and spirit of the players. “I feel proud to be among the nominees for the award, and more importantly, to have qualified for the World Cup,” he said, expressing his gratitude to the fans for their strong support throughout the campaign.Afif has been in exceptional form, contributing decisively to both club and country. Last season, he registered 45 goal involvements for Al Sadd — scoring 23 goals and providing 22 assists in 36 matches — while leading the club to a second consecutive league title and the Qatar Cup. He was also the league’s top assist provider and guided Al Sadd to the AFC Champions League quarter-finals.During the AFC Awards ceremony, Afif drew attention for comments made in a televised interview regarding the closing moments of Qatar’s win over the UAE, in which he was seen gesturing toward supporters. Responding to questions about the incident, Afif said with a smile that he had encouraged fans to throw objects onto the pitch “just to waste time,” before quickly adding that he also asked them to stop so the referee would not extend the stoppage period.The tense finish in Doha saw Qatar secure a vital 2-1 win to top Group A of the Asian playoffs and confirm their place at the 2026 World Cup—the country’s second appearance at the global showpiece, and the first achieved through qualification.

President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and FIFA First Vice-President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa congratulated Saudi Arabia and Qatar on qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Sheikh Salman said the qualification of the Saudi and Qatari national football teams reflects the prominent stature of both nations' football within the Asian landscape, underscoring their sustained progress and growing excellence at both continental and international levels. He added that the achievement marks the culmination of strategic planning and sustained efforts by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation and the Qatar Football Association, whose solid foundations have paved the way for qualification to the world's most prestigious football tournament. The AFC President commended the dedication, discipline, and professionalism demonstrated by the players, coaches, and administrative staff of both national teams throughout the qualification campaign, noting that their collective efforts embody the region's growing competitiveness and ambition on the global stage. Sheikh Salman expressed confidence in the ability of the Saudi and Qatari national teams to represent Asia with distinction at the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, alongside other qualified Asian nations. He stressed the importance of thorough preparation and high-level performance to reflect the continued progress of Asian football and further enhance its reputation on the global stage. He also extended his congratulations to the Iraqi and United Arab Emirates (UAE) national teams on reaching the knockout stage of the Asian playoffs for the 2026 World Cup, praising their impressive performances during the qualifiers and wishing them success in their ongoing pursuit of a place at the finals.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani has extended his congratulations to the Qatari people following the national football team's qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.In a message shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, His Highness the Amir expressed pride in the remarkable sporting achievement and wished the team success in the upcoming tournament.Qatar secured their spot in the World Cup after Tuesday's 2-1 victory over the United Arab Emirates in the final round of the Asian qualifiers.

Qatar sealed their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a tense 2-1 victory over the United Arab Emirates in the Asian qualifying playoffs at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Tuesday night.Needing a win to progress, Julen Lopetegui’s side rose to the occasion with goals from Boualem Khoukhi and Pedro Miguel, while Sultan Adil’s late strike for the UAE set up a frantic finish.Tarek Salman was sent off in the 89th minute after a VAR review for a studs-up tackle, but Qatar held firm through 15 minutes of stoppage time to claim a famous victory in front of a packed house at the home of Al Sadd.The 2022 World Cup hosts, who did not make it out of the group stage three years ago in their first ever appearance at the tournament, were deserving winners on the night.An emotional Akram Afif, who unlocked the UAE defence on both occasions with sublime crosses, was overjoyed after the memorable victory. “It’s a great achievement to qualify for the World Cup. We gave our best and got the result we wanted. The credit goes to our incredible fans, who turned up in large numbers and motivated us in this crucial match,” he said.Veteran forward Hassan al-Haydos echoed the sentiment, saying: “This is a moment we’ve dreamed of for a long time. It was the destiny of this generation to earn a place at the World Cup. This group is capable of achieving great things.”Captain Khoukhi said: “It’s time to celebrate, and I congratulate all Qataris on this historic achievement. We really worked hard for this win — we deserved this victory.”Both sides began cautiously, aware of the high stakes — a draw would have been enough for the visitors to qualify. Qatar dominated the early exchanges, with Afif pulling the strings in attack. Mohammad al-Mannai and Almoez Ali both went close before Nicolas Gimenez tested goalkeeper Mahmud Abunada from distance at the other end.After a goalless first half, Qatar broke through almost immediately after the restart. The two-time Asian Player of the Year Afif delivered a trademark curling cross from the left, and Khoukhi rose highest to head home in the 46th minute, sending the home crowd into raptures.Qatar doubled their lead in the 74th minute when Miguel nodded in another pinpoint Afif delivery from a set piece. The UAE threw everything forward in the closing stages, and Adil pulled one back deep into stoppage time, but Abunada’s late saves preserved the win amid rising tension.The result confirmed Qatar’s direct qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico. The UAE will now enter a two-legged playoff against the Group B runners-up in November, with the winner advancing to an intercontinental playoff for one final chance to reach the finals.Qatar became the seventh Asian side to qualify for the global showpiece, joining Uzbekistan, Jordan, Iran, South Korea, Japan and Australia.

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.

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)

Qatar will take on Russia today at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in a friendly match as part of preparations for the fourth-round play-offs of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.This will be Qatar’s second friendly of the September international break. Earlier this week, they drew 2-2 with Bahrain in a closed-door game, while today’s fixture against Russia will be open to the public for no cost.The match carries added weight as it serves as Qatar’s final test before the crucial qualifiers. The Maroons are seeking to reach the World Cup for a second consecutive time and the first through qualification after featuring as hosts at Qatar 2022. Russia, ranked 35th in world, played out a goalless draw with Jordan on Thursday.Ahead of the match, Qatar defender Ahmed Suhail said: “It is going to be a strong match against Russia, which is a formidable side. We are ready, and all the players are looking to give their best. The game is important for us, and we will follow the coach’s instructions. We are completely ready for the match and are eyeing a strong performance. e are expecting the home fans to turn out in numbers, which will be very motivating for us.”Qatar, currently ranked 53rd, have been drawn in Group A of the play-offs alongside the UAE and Oman. Group B features Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Indonesia, with Qatar and Saudi Arabia hosting their respective groups in a single-stage round-robin format from October 8–14.Qatar open their campaign against Oman on October 8, before facing the UAE on October 14. Oman and the UAE will meet on October 11. The group winners will book direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup, while the runners-up advance to a two-legged playoff on November 13 and 18, with the winner securing a place in the intercontinental playoff.Head coach Julen Lopetegui’s 25-man squad has undergone some changes during the international break, with Ahmed al-Janahi and Ismail Mohammed sidelined through injury and Youssef Abdul Razzaq called up as a replacement.Qatar squad:Meshaal Barsham, Salah Zakaria, Mahmoud Abu Nada, Ahmed al-Rawi, Ahmed Suhail, Ahmed Fathi, Bassam al-Rawi, Al-Mahdi Ali, Boualem Khoukhi, Pedro Miguel, Jassim Jaber, Sultan al-Breik, Tariq Salman, Humam al-Amin, Akram Afif, Ahmed Alaa, Edmilson Junior, Asim Madibo, Abdulaziz Hatem, Guilherme Torres, Karim Boudiaf, Mohammed Khaled, Mohammed Manai, Mohammed Muntari, Youssef Abdul Razzaq

Qatar coach Julen Lopetegui has announced the squad for the two friendly matches against Russia and Bahrain, as part of preparations for the fourth round of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup which will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.Qatar will face Bahrain on September 3 at Al Thumama Stadium, before taking on Russia on September 7 at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium. These matches continue the team’s preparation programme, which started with an abroad training camp in Austria last July.The squad saw little change from the one announced by Lopetegui in early July, except for the absence of captain Hassan al-Haydos and striker Almoez Ali due to injury.The Spanish coach recalled several names, including Al Rayyan goalkeeper Mahmud Abunada, Al Duhail defender Sultan al-Braik, and Al Wakrah defender Almahdi Ali, while excluding goalkeepers Marwan Sharif and Shehab Ellethy.The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) had held the draw for the fourth round (continental playoff), which will be hosted in Doha, placing Qatar in Group A alongside the UAE and Oman.Qatar will begin its playoff campaign against Oman on October 8, before meeting the UAE on October 14, while Oman will face the UAE on October 11. Group B will be held in Saudi Arabia and includes the host nation along with Iraq and Indonesia.Qatar, the reigning two-time AFC Asian Cup champions, reached the playoff after finishing fourth in the third round with 13 points from 10 matches, behind Iran (23 points), Uzbekistan (21 points), and the UAE (15 points). Kyrgyzstan finished fifth with eight points, and North Korea sixth with three pointsQATAR SQUAD: Mahmoud Abunada, Meshaal Barsham, Salah Zakaria (goalkeepers), Abdulaziz Hatem, Ahmed al-Rawi, Ahmed Alaa, Ahmed al-Ganehi, Ahmed Fathy, Ahmed Suhail, Akram Afif, Almahdi Ali, Assim Madibo, Bassam al-Rawi, Boualem Khoukhi, Edmilson Junior, Guilherme Torres, Homam al-Amin, Ismail Mohammed, Jassim Jaber, Karim Boudiaf, Mohammed Mannai, Mohamed Khalid, Mohammed Muntari, Pedro Miguel, Sultan al-Brake, Tarek Salman.Meanwhile Bahrain head coach Dragan Talajic has called up under-17 player Hussain Zuhair and Al Ahli Club’s Sayed Mahdi Sharaf in the squad.Zuhair and Sharaf join a formidable Bahrain roster that already includes Mohammed Jassim Marhoon, Mohammed al-Rumaihi, Amine Benaddi, Waleed al-Hayyam, Abdulla al-Khalasi, Ahmed Dhiya, Sayed Mahmoud al-Mosawi, Ahmed Bughammar, Hamad Shamsan, Sayed Mahdi Baqer, Sayed Dhiya Saeed, Hussain al-Eker, Vincent Emmanuel, Hazza Ali, Hussain Jameel, Mahdi Humaidan, Ali Madan, Ahmed al-Sherooqi, Omar Saber, Jassim al-Shaikh, Komail al-Aswad, Abdulla al-Subaie, Hussain Abdulkarim, Mahdi Abduljabbar, Ebrahim al-Khattal, and goalkeepers Ebrahim Luthfallah, Mohammed al-Gharably, Abdulkarim al-Fardan and Yousef Habib.Bahrain will also play a friendly against the United Arab Emirates on September 8.