Both teams eye critical points in their bid to secure automatic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup
The UAE national football team will face off against Qatar tomorrow, Tuesday, at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi in what promises to be a thrilling World Cup qualifier. The match is set to kick off at 8 p.m. UAE time as both sides look to continue their winning momentum from last week and keep their World Cup dreams alive.
The UAE, having struggled early in the qualifiers, secured an important 3-0 win against Kyrgyzstan on Thursday, lifting their spirits and reigniting their campaign. Head coach Paulo Bento, who previously guided Portugal and South Korea at the World Cup, is optimistic about his team’s chances, stating that while the focus should be on recovery and preparation, the upcoming clash against Qatar is crucial. “We don’t have to think too much of the upcoming game against Qatar, but it’s important we rest now, allow the players to recover as much as possible, then begin our preparations,” Bento said after the victory.
For Qatar, the 3-2 win over Uzbekistan on Thursday, secured by Lucas Mendes’ goal deep into added time, injected a new sense of confidence. Head coach Marquez Lopez will be hoping that momentum continues as they seek redemption after losing 3-1 to the UAE in the reverse fixture earlier this year. Despite their recent struggles, Qatar, the back-to-back AFC Asian Cup champions, are determined to qualify for the World Cup on merit and will give their all against their Gulf rivals.
The UAE and Qatar are both in Group A alongside Iran, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and North Korea, with the top two teams securing automatic qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The third and fourth-placed teams will advance to the playoff stage, where a final opportunity for qualification remains. With the stakes high, every point counts as the teams aim for one of the eight direct slots allocated to Asia.
The UAE, who made their solitary World Cup appearance in 1990, are hoping to end a 35-year wait for a return to the global stage. For Qatar, this represents another chance to prove themselves on the world stage, having never qualified for the World Cup through the Asian qualifiers, despite their regional dominance.
As the qualifiers heat up, tomorrow’s match will be pivotal for both teams, with the winner moving one step closer to securing a spot in the 2026 World Cup. Fans can expect an intense encounter as both sides battle it out for crucial points in Abu Dhabi.
