Khouki and Miguel score as Qatar qualify for World Cup

Qatar secured a place at the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Tuesday as second half headers from Boualem Khouki and Pedro Miguel sealed a 2-1 win over the UAE in Doha to claim the slot at next year’s Finals from Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers.

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Akram Afif unlocked the UAE defence on both occasions at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, the reigning AFC Player of the Year delivering free kicks in the 49th and 74th minutes for his team mates to nod in the goals that saw Julien Lopetegui’s side advance.

Sultan Adil scored deep into injury time after Tarek Salman's earlier red card to set up a tense finish but Qatar, who had never qualified for the finals before having made their debut at the tournament in 2022 at hosts, prevailed.

The UAE, meanwhile, will go into a two-legged playoff next month against the runner-up in Group B. The winner of that game will then feature in the FIFA Playoff Tournament in March.

Qatar went into the game needed to win to qualify and the home side threatened early, Sultan Al Brake seeing his close range attempt blocked by Khaled Eisa and Ayoub Al Ouwi flashing the rebound across the face of the UAE goal.

Lucas Pimenta should have put the UAE ahead in the 15th minute after he peeled away from his marker to meet Ali Saleh’s centre from the left with a powerful header that only just bounced wide of Mahmud Abunada's right post.