Qatar will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and will appear in the tournament for the second time

Qatar handed the United Arab Emirates a 2-1 defeat on Tuesday to qualify for next year’s World Cup finals after Boualem Khouki and Pedro Miguel secured their side’s place at the tournament in the US, Mexico and Canada in the second half.

Khouki met Akram Afif’s free-kick four minutes into the second half to put hosts Qatar ahead, and the Asian Player of the Year unlocked the UAE defense again with 16 minutes to go, delivering the free-kick from which Miguel headed in.

Qatar’s Tarek Salman was sent off in the 89th minute, and Sultan Adil pulled one back for the UAE nine minutes later in a nerve-wracking finish with more than 15 minutes of stoppage time.

The win means Qatar’s top Group A move four points ahead of the UAE on three and Oman on one in the fourth round of the Asian qualifying competition.

Qatar will participate in the World Cup finals for the second time in a row, after making its debut as host at the finals in 2022.

The UAE continue with a two-legged clash against Iraq next month, with the winner of that match progressing to the intercontinental play-off in March.

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Julen Lopetegui’s Qatari side needed to win to qualify, and UAE goalkeeper Khalid Eisa was called on to deny Sultan Al-Brake in the early exchanges, while Nicolas Giminez fired an effort wide at the other end in a thrilling opening.

Lucas Pimenta should have given the visitor the lead after 15 minutes after breaking free from his marker to meet Ali Saleh’s cross but heading narrowly wide of Qatar goalkeeper Mahmud Abunada’s right post.

Qatar’s Edmilson Junior was millimeters away from connecting with Afif’s inswinging cross from the left, and Mohammad Manai nodded his effort wide as the home side piled on the pressure.

The Qataris took the lead shortly after halftime. Saleh’s foul on Edmilson Junior saw Afif deliver a curling free-kick from the right, which Khouki cheerfully headed home.

Afif unlocked the UAE defense again in the 74th, floating in a free-kick from the opposite flank that sailed over Eisa’s head, and Pedro headed in from close range.

Qatar’s Salman was sent off for a reckless attack on UAE substitute Erik, and Adil buried his low shot into the corner to set up a dramatic finish, but Lopetegui’s team held on.

Published on October 15, 2025