What's happened
Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Iraq secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Qatar making history as the first host to qualify since 1990. Other Arab nations, including Oman and Jordan, are still vying for final spots through playoffs. The qualification process involved tense matches and strategic play, highlighting the region's growing football influence.
What's behind the headline?
The qualification of multiple Arab nations for the 2026 World Cup signals a shift in regional football strength. Qatar's historic qualification, after losing all group matches in 2022, demonstrates strategic growth and investment. Saudi Arabia's consistent performance, securing their spot with a draw, underscores their experience and tactical discipline. The UAE's dramatic win over Oman, driven by resilience and strategic substitutions, highlights their potential to make a significant impact. Iraq's recent success, led by young talent like Zidane Iqbal, indicates a promising future. Meanwhile, the playoff battles involving Oman and Jordan will be pivotal, with the outcome likely to influence regional football development. This surge reflects broader geopolitical and economic investments in sports, aiming to elevate Arab nations on the global stage. The next steps will determine whether these teams can translate qualification into strong tournament performances, potentially reshaping perceptions of Middle Eastern football dominance.
What the papers say
The New Arab provides detailed coverage of the qualification process, emphasizing the historic nature of Qatar's return to the World Cup after their 2022 campaign. Al Jazeera highlights Qatar's strategic victory and the significance of their qualification, noting their previous struggles in 2022. Gulf News offers insights into the regional excitement, focusing on the upcoming playoff matches involving UAE, Oman, and Jordan, and the symbolic importance of these games for national pride. The South China Morning Post adds context by discussing Indonesia's disappointment and the broader Asian qualification landscape, contrasting it with the regional success of Arab nations. Overall, these sources collectively portray a region increasingly competitive and invested in football, with Qatar's historic qualification standing out as a key highlight.
How we got here
Arab nations have historically had limited success in World Cup qualification, but recent campaigns show increased regional competitiveness. Qatar's qualification marks a significant milestone, especially as they host the 2026 tournament. The qualification process has been intense, with key matches determining the final spots, reflecting the region's rising football ambitions and investment.
Go deeper
Common question
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What Does UAE’s World Cup Win Mean for Asian Football?
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Who Won Today’s Sports Highlights & World Cup Qualification Updates?
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More on these topics
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Qatar, officially the State of Qatar, is a country located in Western Asia, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the northeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula.
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The United Arab Emirates, sometimes simply called the Emirates, is a sovereign state in Western Asia at the northeast end of the Arabian Peninsula on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman to the east and Saudi Arabia to the south and west, as well as sharing m
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Oman, officially the Sultanate of Oman, is a country on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. Located in a strategically important position at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, the country shares land borders with the United Arab E
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Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is a country in Western Asia constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula.
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Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania, between the Indian and Pacific oceans. It consists of more than seventeen thousand islands, including Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Sulawesi, and New Guinea. Indonesia i
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Carlos Manuel Brito Leal de Queiroz, ComIH, is a Portuguese football coach who is currently the manager of the Egypt national team.
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Iraq, officially the Republic of Iraq, is a country in Western Asia, bordered by Turkey to the north, Iran to the east, Kuwait to the southeast, Saudi Arabia to the south, Jordan to the southwest and Syria to the west.
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Akram Hassan Afif Yahya Afif is a Qatari professional footballer who plays as a forward for Qatari club Al Sadd, and the Qatar national team.
He is considered to be one of the most promising players to emerge from Qatar.
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The Qatar national football team represents Qatar in international football, and is controlled by the Qatar Football Association and AFC.
The team has appeared in ten Asian Cup tournaments and won it once in 2019. They play their home games at Khalifa Int
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Zidane Aamar Iqbal is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for English Premier League club Manchester United. Born in England, he is a youth international for Iraq.
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Julen Lopetegui Agote is a Spanish former footballer who played as a goalkeeper, and the current manager of Sevilla FC.
He played 149 games in La Liga over 11 seasons, appearing in the competition for Real Madrid, Logroñés, Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano.
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Boualem Khoukhi (Arabic: بوعلام خوخي; born 9 July 1990) is a professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Al Sadd in the Qatar Stars League. Born in Algeria, he is naturalized to represent the Qatar national team.