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Saudi Arabia and Qatar Qualify for the 2026 World Cup

Saudi Arabia and Qatar secured their spots at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after the “Green Falcons” drew 0-0 with Iraq, while the “Maroons” defeated the UAE 2-1 in the third round of the Asian qualifiers.

Saudi Arabia topped Group B — hosted in Jeddah — with 4 points, finishing ahead of Iraq on goal difference. Iraq will now face the UAE, runners-up in Group A, in a playoff to determine which team advances to the intercontinental playoffs.

The match at King Abdullah Sports City (Al-Jawhara Stadium) was attended by around 60,000 fans and saw the hosts dominate possession, creating several chances through Saleh Abu Al-Shamat, Salem Al-Dawsari, Abdullah Al-Khaibari, and Firas Al-Buraikan in the first half.

Iraq, meanwhile, relied on counterattacks, with Mohanad Ali leading the line and Youssef Al-Amin and Ibrahim Bayesh operating on the flanks. However, their attacks lacked cohesion and failed to seriously threaten goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi.

In the second half, Iraqi goalkeeper Jalal Hassan made two crucial saves — first denying Abu Al-Shamat’s powerful strike in the 51st minute, then blocking Al-Dawsari’s one-on-one effort two minutes later.

Iraq’s best opportunity came from a free kick by Ameer Al-Amari that went narrowly wide (62’), while Nawaf Al-Aqidi made a fine save to stop a last-minute set piece from Hassan Abdul Karim deep into stoppage time (90+5).

Qatar Qualify Through the Qualifiers for the First Time

Qatar reached the World Cup for the second time in their history — and for the first time via the qualification route — after defeating the UAE 2-1 at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha.

Centre-backs Boualem Khoukhi (49’) and Pedro Miguel (74’) scored for the hosts, while substitute Sultan Adel pulled one back for the UAE in stoppage time (90+8).

Qatar finished top of Group A with 4 points, sealing qualification for the second time after their 2022 debut as hosts, where they lost all three of their group-stage matches.

The UAE dropped to second with 3 points but still have a chance to qualify for their second-ever World Cup — their first coming in 1990 in Italy — after earning a place in the Asian playoff against Iraq.

Khoukhi opened the scoring by heading in Akram Afif’s perfectly delivered free kick past goalkeeper Khalid Eisa (49’), sparking celebrations among the Qatari fans.

Spanish coach Julen Lopetegui later introduced veteran striker Sebastián Soria (61’) in place of Almoez Ali, marking the 41-year-old’s return to the national team after a long absence. The forward boasts 39 international goals for Qatar.

Qatar doubled their lead in similar fashion to the opener, as another Afif free kick found Pedro Miguel, who headed home to make it 2-0 (74’).

Tarek Mohammed was sent off for a reckless challenge on Eric Mendez (89’), and the referee added 15 minutes of stoppage time due to repeated interruptions caused by plastic objects being thrown onto the pitch by some fans.

The UAE managed to reduce the deficit through Sultan Adel’s strike off a Fabio Lima assist in the 98th minute.