Qatar Secures Historic World Cup Qualification with 2-1 Win

In a momentous clash at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, Qatar’s national football team secured a historic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by defeating the United Arab Emirates 2-1. This victory marks Qatar’s first qualification for the World Cup achieved on the field, a significant milestone for the nation.

Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani extended his congratulations to the team and the nation following the match, expressing hopes for their success at the upcoming tournament. Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani also praised the team’s performance, stating, “We congratulate our national team on qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and we praise the outstanding performance of our brotherly Emirati team.”

Emotional Celebration After a Hard-Fought Victory

The atmosphere in the stadium was electric as fans celebrated a hard-earned victory. Emotional scenes unfolded as H H Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Personal Representative of the Amir, congratulated the players and team officials in the stands. Supporters waved the national flag in jubilation, marking a joyful culmination of a challenging qualifying campaign.

Qatar entered the crucial match under pressure after a goalless draw against Oman the previous week. However, with coach Julen Lopetegui at the helm, the team rose to the occasion. Following a tense first half, captain Boualem Khoukhi opened the scoring in the 49th minute with a precise header. Pedro Miguel then doubled the lead in the 74th minute, converting a well-executed set-piece delivered by Akram Afif, who played a pivotal role in both goals.

Late in the match, substitute Tarek Salman received a yellow card that was later upgraded to a red after a VAR review, adding a layer of tension for Qatar in the final moments. The UAE, needing only a draw to advance, pushed aggressively for an equaliser. Their hopes were revived when Sultan Adil scored in the eighth minute of stoppage time, but Qatar held firm to secure their place in the World Cup.

Reflections on a Historic Achievement