Qatar clinches 2026 World Cup berth with 2-1 win over UAE

Qatar secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday with a 2-1 win over the United Arab Emirates in Doha, clinching top spot in Group A of the fourth round of Asian qualifying at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium. Boualem Khoukhi and Pedro Miguel scored second half headers after halftime set pieces from Akram Afif, while the UAE’s Sultan Adil pulled a late goal back in stoppage time as Qatar held on to book a place at next summer’s tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Qatar broke the deadlock two minutes into the second half when Khoukhi met Afif’s inswinging free kick to head past UAE goalkeeper Khalid Essa. The hosts doubled their lead in the 74th minute when Afif delivered another free kick from the left and Pedro Miguel headed in at the far post. Qatar were reduced to 10 men in the 87th minute when Tarek Salman received a straight red card for a studs-up challenge. Deep into added time, substitute Sultan Adil volleyed home for the UAE, but the comeback fell short after more than 15 minutes were added on.

The result left Qatar top of Group A with four points, the UAE second on three and Oman third on one in the fourth-round standings. Qatar’s place at...