The path to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is now clear after the Asian Football Confederation conducted the draw on Thursday.
Qatar’s road to the blockbuster tournament runs directly through familiar territory. Al Annabi have been placed in the same group with along regional rivals UAE and Oman, setting the stage for a dramatic final qualifying round.
Despite being favourites, the Julen Lopetegui-coached outfit will have an extra advantage, playing in front of home crowds at Doha’s Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.
This crucial round will be the ultimate test for Al Annabi, who are aiming to make back-to-back World Cup appearances following the home event in 2022 in which Qatar mesmerized the footballing world by hosting the ‘best ever’ FIFA spectacle.
On paper, Qatar hold all the cards.
As the reigning two-time AFC Asian Cup champions, Qatar have proven their dominance against regional powerhouses.
Under the seasoned leadership of their new Spanish coach Lopetegui, the team is currently undergoing extensive preparation in Austria, where they will look to leave no stone unturned in search of the perfect balance to face their rivals.
For Al Annabi, with full backing from the Qatar Football Association, the aim will be not just to appear on the world stage as hosts, but also to qualify on merit.
However, the high-stakes format of the upcoming play-off round leaves no margin for error.
Qatar will face Oman on October 8 and the UAE on October 14 in Group A, while Saudi Arabia host the other group which includes Iraq and Indonesia.
With only the group winner advancing directly, a single mistake could be a matter of a ticket to North America or the intercontinental play-offs which offer one last qualifying opportunity.
Six nations - Japan, Iran, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Jordan, and Australia - have already secured their spots in the 2026 finals which will be jointly hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico.
The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 was a huge achievement, where the nation demonstrated its passion and capability on the global stage, but its true legacy was never meant to be just about hosting.
Almost three years later, Al Annabi now have the opportunity to write another chapter of that long-lasting legacy – by earning qualification.
Securing a place in the 202 6 finals would serve as the ultimate success story. Such an achievement would be the definitive result of the country’s wise leadership and tactical investment in the growth of the sport over the past two decades, cementing Qatar’s status not merely as a world class host, but also as an enduring powerhouse on the Asian footballing scene.
