UAE can still qualify for World Cup

OLAROIU’S MEN FINISH 2ND IN 4TH-ROUND QUALIFICATION GROUP AFTER LOSS TO QATAR

- BY SHAMSEER MOHAMMED Staff Writer

UAE's midfielder Harib Abdalla is marked by Qatar's defender Sultan Al Brake during the Fifa World Cup 2026 Asian qualifier match at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha on Tuesday.

(AFP)

After losing to Qatar on Tuesday night, the UAE missed out on direct qualification for the 2026 Fifa World Cup. But all hope is not lost. The team can still make it to the tournament through a playoff path that will decide the final World Cup spots in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Road to the playoffs