Particle.news
Download on the App Store
12 ARTICLES
·
2h ago

Qatar and Saudi Arabia Seal 2026 World Cup Berths as Qualifying Reaches 28 Teams

The expanded 48-team format grants Asia eight direct places, routing the UAE to November’s AFC fifth round.

Image
Image
Katar fährt zur WM
Katar qualifizierte sich erstmals sportlich für eine WM-Endrunde. Damit sind 28 der 48 Startplätze vergeben.

Overview

  • Qatar beat the United Arab Emirates 2-1 in Ar-Rayyan to qualify on sporting merit for the first time, with second-half goals from Boualem Khoukhi and Pedro Correia.
  • A late red card for Tarek Salman preceded a stoppage-time strike by Sultan Adil, but the UAE fell short of the draw it needed to advance directly.
  • Saudi Arabia clinched its place with a 0-0 home draw against Iraq, finishing atop its three-team group on goals scored after an earlier 3-2 win over Indonesia.
  • With these results, 28 of 48 World Cup slots are now filled, with most European and all CONCACAF places to be decided in November and an intercontinental playoff slated for March 2026.
  • The UAE now faces Iraq in the AFC fifth round in mid-November for a route into the intercontinental playoff tournament.