Qatar and Bahrain Battle to 2-2 Draw in Friendly Match

In a closely contested friendly match, Qatar and Bahrain played to a 2-2 draw at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha on Wednesday. The match, held without spectators, showcased the talents of both teams as they prepare for upcoming competitive fixtures.

Qatar’s forwards, Mohammed Muntari and Ahmed Alaaeldin, each found the back of the net, while Kamil Al-Aswad and Ebrahim Al-Khattal scored for Bahrain. This encounter marked the first of two friendly matches for Qatar during the international break.

Preparation for World Cup Qualifiers

The match served as a crucial warm-up for Qatar ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asian play-offs scheduled for next month. Under the guidance of head coach Julen Lopetegui, Qatar will face Russia in their next friendly at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Sunday.

In the World Cup play-offs, Qatar is grouped with Oman and the United Arab Emirates. Their first match in this round will take place against Oman on October 8, 2023, followed by a match against the UAE on October 14, 2023. The top team from this group will qualify directly for the World Cup, while the runners-up will enter a two-legged play-off on November 13 and November 18 for a chance to compete in the FIFA Playoff Tournament.

Bahrain’s Next Steps

Bahrain, having been eliminated in the third round of the Asian qualifiers, is now focusing on the upcoming FIFA Arab Cup, which will take place in Qatar from December 1 to 18. The team is preparing for a one-off qualifier against Djibouti in November, alongside a friendly match against the UAE scheduled for Monday.

As both teams look to refine their strategies and lineups, the friendly match provided valuable insights into their current forms and areas for improvement ahead of critical competitions.