Qatar Secures Historic World Cup Qualification with 2-1 Victory

Doha, Qatar: In a momentous achievement for Qatari football, the national team clinched a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating the United Arab Emirates 2-1. This victory marks Qatar’s first-ever qualification for the World Cup secured on the pitch, a significant milestone for the nation.

Celebrations Erupt in Doha

The atmosphere at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium was electric as fans celebrated a hard-fought win that concluded a challenging qualifying campaign. Following the match, Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani extended his congratulations to the team and the nation, wishing them success in the upcoming tournament.

Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani also praised the team on social media. He acknowledged the outstanding performance of the Emirati team and celebrated Qatar’s achievement, stating, “We congratulate our national team on qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.” He wished good luck to the team, known as Al-Annabi, in their future endeavors.

Players and fans alike were filled with joy as they waved the national flag in celebration. Among the notable attendees was the Personal Representative of H H the Amir, H H Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, who congratulated the players and officials from the stands.

Decisive Match Performance

Having entered the must-win match under pressure following a goalless draw against Oman, Qatar stepped up under the guidance of coach Julen Lopetegui. The team excelled in front of a packed stadium, ultimately finishing at the top of Group A.

The first half ended in a tense stalemate, but captain Boualem Khoukhi broke the deadlock in the 49th minute with a precise header. The lead was doubled in the 74th minute when Pedro Miguel converted a well-timed set-piece delivered by Akram Afif, who played a crucial role in both goals.

Despite a setback when substitute Tarek Salman received a red card after a VAR review in the 89th minute, Qatar held firm against a late push from the UAE. In a dramatic finish, Sultan Adil scored for the UAE in the eighth minute of stoppage time, but Qatar successfully maintained their lead to secure the historic qualification.

Captain Khoukhi expressed pride in the team’s accomplishment, stating, “It’s time to celebrate and I congratulate all Qataris on this historic achievement. We really worked hard for this win and we deserved this victory.” An emotional Afif added, “It’s a great achievement to qualify for the World Cup. We gave our best and got the result we wanted.” Veteran forward Hassan Al Haydos emphasized the significance of this moment, asserting that it was the destiny of this generation to earn a spot in the World Cup.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026, and will feature an expanded format with 48 teams.

Despite the loss, the UAE team, led by coach Cosmin Olaroiu, remains in contention for World Cup qualification. As runners-up in Group A, they will face a two-legged play-off against Iraq next month, holding on to their hopes of reaching the global tournament.