Qatar’s hopes of qualifying of securing a direct spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup through the Asian Qualifiers Fourth Round suffered an huge blow as they were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Oman.
Playing in front of nearly 13,000 fans at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, the hosts failed to make their dominance count. Julen Lopetegui opted to start without a striker, leaving Almoez Ali on the bench, and the result was failing to threaten Oman’s goal during the entire first half.
Afif had the best opportunity early in the second half when he dribbled 0past three defenders to find himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper, only to drag his shot wide. Substitute Mohamed Muntari squandered two more clear chances in the final minutes.
The draw leaves Group A finely poised. Oman now face the United Arab Emirates on Saturday, before Qatar and the UAE meet on October 14th in what promises to be a decisive clash for top spot and automatic qualification to the World Cup.
Only the group winner will progress directly to the 2026 finals, while the runner-up will enter the Fifth Round, where they’ll face the second-placed team from Group B – which features Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Indonesia – in a two-legged play-off. The winner of that tie will advance to the inter-confederation play-off, to be held in Mexico in March 2026.
Having made their World Cup debut as hosts in 2022, Qatar are now seeking qualification on merit for the first time. But if Thursday’s display is anything to go by, Lopetegui’s side must find a more clinical edge if they are to avoid a far more complicated route to the finals.
Match Info
2026 FIFA World Cup – Asian Qualifiers
Fourth Round – Group A
Date: 8 October 2025
Venue: Jassim bin Hamad Stadium
City: Doha, Qatar
Spectators: 12,975
Lineups
Qatar
Mahmoud Abunada
Ayoub Al Alawi
Tarek Salman 78’
Pedro Miguel
Boualem Khoukhi
Lucas Mendes 64’
Sultan Al Brake
Karim Boudiaf
Assim Madibo
Mohamed Al Mannai
Abdulaziz Hatem 46’
Akram Afif
Mohammed Muntari 78’
Ahmed Al Ganehi
AL Moez Ali 57’
Edmilson
Coach
Julen Lopetegui
Oman
Ibrahim Al Mukhaini
Ghanim Al Habashi
Thani Al Rushaidi
Amjad Al Harthi
Khalid Al Braiki
Ali Al Busaidi
Arshad Al Alawi
Jameel Al Yahmadi
Nasser Al Rawahi 28’
Abdullah Fawaz
Sultan Al Marzouq 90’
Abdulrahman Al Mushaifri
Salah Al Yahyaei 78’
Issam Al Sabhi
Muhsen Al Ghassani 78’
Coach
Carlos Queiroz
Referee
Yusuke Araki (Japan)
Yellow Cards
Mohamed Al Mannai (Qatar)
Sultan Al Brake (Qatar)
Nasser Al Rawahi (Oman)
Arshad Al Alawi (Oman)