UAE, Qatar and Oman set for crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup playoffs
Two automatic World Cup slots still up for grabs
DUBAI: With only two automatic Asian berths left for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, six nations including UAE, Qatar and Oman have reached the playoff stage – the last opportunity to keep their qualification hopes alive.
The UAE, who last played at the World Cup in 1990, were drawn into Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers fourth round during Thursday’s ceremony at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur. Group A will be hosted by Qatar and also features Oman.
The three teams in each group will play a single round-robin format from 8 to 14 October. Only the top team from each group will secure direct qualification to the World Cup, scheduled across the US, Canada and Mexico.
Group Stage fixtures
Group A action opens with Qatar facing Oman on 8 October. UAE then meet Oman on 11 October before facing hosts Qatar on 14 October in a likely group decider.
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— #AsianQualifiers (@afcasiancup) July 17, 2025
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Group B, to be hosted by Saudi Arabia, includes Iraq and Indonesia. Saudi Arabia open against Indonesia on 8 October, followed by Iraq vs Indonesia on 11 October, and Saudi Arabia vs Iraq on 14 October.
Second chance route
The second-placed teams in both groups will face off in a two-legged playoff on 13 and 18 November. A draw confirmed that the Group A runner-up will host the first leg.
The winner of that tie will then head to the intercontinental playoff tournament in March 2026, which offers one final chance to qualify for the World Cup.
Qualified and awaiting
Six Asian teams have already secured their spots in the expanded 48-team event: Japan, Iran, South Korea, Australia, Jordan and Uzbekistan.
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— #AsianQualifiers (@afcasiancup) July 16, 2025
6 teams, 2 slots.
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Qatar, who debuted as hosts in 2022, are now attempting to qualify on merit after finishing fourth in Group A of the previous round. Oman, meanwhile, are still in search of their first-ever World Cup appearance.
UAE’s road so far
UAE had a chance to qualify directly last month but were held to a goalless draw by Uzbekistan in Abu Dhabi, missing a vital opportunity. Head coach Cosmin Olaroiu, appointed shortly before that match, must now navigate this fourth-round group to earn a place in the tournament.
Ahead of their final third-round fixture, UAE faced internal challenges when players Khaled Al Dhanhani and Sultan Adil were dropped for disciplinary violations. Coach Olaroiu stressed the importance of team values, stating, “This shirt that we wear is more than ourselves.”
Despite the setbacks, the UAE squad remains optimistic. Forward Caio Canedo expressed faith in the team’s direction, saying, “We still have another way to go through.”
Playoff Groups at a glance
Group A (Qatar): Qatar (H), UAE, Oman
Group B (Saudi Arabia): Saudi Arabia (H), Iraq, Indonesia