Qatar Secures Historic World Cup Qualification with 2-1 Victory

Doha, Qatar: In a momentous achievement, the Qatari national football team has secured a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup by defeating the United Arab Emirates (UAE) 2-1. This victory marks Qatar’s first qualification for the prestigious tournament through matches on the pitch, culminating a challenging qualifying campaign.

Celebrations and Official Recognition

The win ignited celebrations at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, with fans and players rejoicing together. Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani extended his congratulations to the team, expressing pride in their accomplishment and wishing them success in the upcoming World Cup. Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani also praised the team, noting their commendable performance and extending best wishes for their future endeavors, as conveyed in a post on X.

The atmosphere was electric as fans waved national flags and shared in the jubilation. Among the attendees, H H Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Personal Representative of the Amir, congratulated both players and officials, reflecting the national pride stemming from this historic achievement.

A Hard-Fought Match

Needing a win following a goalless draw against Oman in their previous match, Qatar took to the pitch with determination. Guided by coach Julen Lopetegui, the team responded brilliantly in front of a packed stadium. The first half ended without scoring, but captain Boualem Khoukhi opened the scoring just after half-time with a precise header in the 49th minute. Pedro Miguel followed suit, doubling the lead in the 74th minute with a well-placed shot from a set-piece assist by Akram Afif.

Despite being reduced to ten men when substitute Tarek Salman received a red card after a VAR review in the 89th minute, Qatar held on to their lead. The UAE fought back valiantly, with Sultan Adil scoring in stoppage time, but Qatar’s defense managed to withstand the pressure to secure the historic win.

“It’s time to celebrate, and I congratulate all Qataris on this historic achievement,” said Khoukhi after the match. “We really worked hard for this win, and we deserved it.” An emotional Afif echoed this sentiment, stating, “It’s a great achievement to qualify for the World Cup. We gave our best and got the result we wanted. The credit goes to our incredible fans, who motivated us in this crucial match.”

Veteran forward Hassan Al Haydos added, “This is a moment we’ve dreamed of for a long time. It was the destiny of this generation to earn a place at the World Cup. This group is capable of achieving great things.”

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is set to expand to 48 teams and will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Qatar’s qualification marks a significant milestone for the nation in the realm of international football.

Despite the loss, the UAE remains in contention for World Cup qualification. As Group A runners-up, they will face Iraq in a two-legged play-off next month, seeking to secure their own place in the tournament.