UAE's Path to the 2026 World Cup: Can They Secure Their Spot in North America?
Assalamu Alaikum! The UAE football team is preparing for two crucial matches in Doha that could earn them a place in the 2026 World Cup, which will be held across the USA, Canada, and Mexico. They will face their Gulf neighbors Oman and the host country Qatar. Winning both games would mean a return to the biggest stage in football. It’s been almost two years since the UAE started their journey in the Asian qualifiers. They finished third in their previous group behind Iran and Uzbekistan, which means they moved to the next round. Now, in a group with Oman and Qatar, they will play each team once, all matches held in Doha. The winner of this group will qualify directly for the World Cup. The runner-up still has a chance but it gets tougher-they’ll face a two-leg playoff in November against another group’s second-place team, which includes Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and Iraq. The winner of that will then compete in an inter-confederation playoff. Match Schedule at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, Doha: - Wednesday, October 8: Oman vs Qatar (7pm UAE time) - Saturday, October 11: UAE vs Oman (9:15pm) - Tuesday, October 14: Qatar vs UAE (9:15pm) The UAE team has launched the "Dream of a Nation" campaign to rally support, with major local sports clubs backing the national team. The UAE Football Association is arranging charter flights and free tickets for fans from different emirates, plus easing border crossings with Qatar and setting up online booking for travel and fan packages. Historically, the UAE has qualified for the World Cup once before, in 1990, but didn’t advance beyond the group stage. Many veterans from that squad are supporting the current team. As Adnan Al Talyani, a key player from that era, said, “Everyone is united behind the national team in its upcoming mission.” Some standout players to watch include Fabio De Lima, who scored four goals in a recent qualifying match against Qatar, Yahya Al Ghassani, an energetic winger who nearly transferred to France, and Khalid Essa, the inspiring goalkeeper who captains the team. Recently, the national team won friendly matches against Syria and Bahrain, giving a positive boost ahead of these decisive games. Coach Cosmin Olaroiu, who took charge recently, is shaping the team with determination, despite some disciplinary challenges that saw two players suspended. Let’s keep the UAE team in our duas as they chase their dream of representing the nation at the World Cup. May Allah grant them success and make their efforts fruitful, Ameen.