Qatar has officially qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup following a thrilling 2-1 victory over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Doha on October 14, 2025. The decisive goals came from Boualem Khoukhi and Pedro Miguel, both scoring second-half headers to seal Qatar’s first-ever World Cup appearance via the qualification route.

This historic achievement marks a major milestone for Qatar, which previously participated in the 2022 FIFA World Cup as hosts but lost all three group-stage matches.

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Match Highlights: Qatar vs UAE

The Group A showdown in the fourth round of Asian qualification was a tense contest, with Qatar ultimately finishing top of the group, ensuring direct qualification. The UAE, finishing second, now advance to the fifth round and intercontinental playoffs, while Oman were eliminated after finishing third.

• First Half: Qatar’s best early chance came in the 30th minute when Mohamed al-Mannai’s header narrowly missed the UAE goal.
• Second Half: Just two minutes after the break, Khoukhi scored the opener, heading in a precise free kick from Akram Afif past UAE goalkeeper Khalid Essa. Later, with 17 minutes remaining, Pedro Miguel doubled Qatar’s lead after another Afif assist, delivering a powerful header at the far post.
• Late Drama: Qatar was reduced to 10 men in the 87th minute after Tarek Salman received a straight red card. In the 103rd minute, UAE pulled one back through Sultan Adil, creating a tense finale. A draw would have been enough for UAE to advance.

Fans at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium erupted in celebration as Qatar secured a historic spot in the 2026 World Cup.

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Other Asian Teams in Form

While Qatar celebrated, other Asian qualifiers also made headlines:

• Japan vs Brazil: Japan defeated Brazil 3-2 in Tokyo, overcoming a two-goal deficit. Ayase Ueda scored the decisive header in the 71st minute, marking Japan’s first-ever victory over Brazil.
• South Korea vs Paraguay: South Korea secured a 2-0 victory in Seoul, maintaining their strong position heading into next year’s tournament.

These results reflect the rising competitiveness of Asian football on the global stage, as teams prepare for the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup 2026.

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Significance of Qatar’s Qualification

Qatar’s achievement is historic for several reasons:

1. First Qualification via Competitive Route: Unlike 2022, Qatar has earned their spot through merit-based qualification, proving their growing footballing strength.
2. Boost for Middle Eastern Football: The victory highlights the progress of Gulf nations in competitive international football, inspiring other teams in the region.
3. Momentum for the Team: Key players like Akram Afif, Boualem Khoukhi, and Pedro Miguel have solidified themselves as pivotal figures in Qatar’s football history.

With Qatar joining Japan, South Korea, Australia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Uzbekistan, the continent looks set to have a strong showing at FIFA World Cup 2026.

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Next Steps for UAE and Other Teams

While Qatar celebrates, the UAE will now focus on the intercontinental playoffs for a chance to reach the World Cup. Teams across Asia continue their fight for remaining spots, keeping the qualification stage intense and competitive.