Qatar face UAE in opening match of Asian qualifiers for 2026 FIFA World Cup

DOHA: Reigning Asian champions Qatar will lock horns against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the third round of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Doha on Thursday.

Set to take place on September 5th, Qatar takes on the UAE, which topped the first of its group in the second round of the World Cup Qualifiers.

Besides the UAE, Qatar will compete in Group A alongside Iran, Uzbekistan, the Kyrgyz Republic, and North Korea.

The 2023 AFC Champions will continue their World Cup qualifying campaign with a series of crucial matches after their opener against the UAE.

Qatar will play their second qualifying match away against North Korea on September 10th. Following that, they will host the Kyrgyz Republic on October 10th before traveling to Tehran for an away match against Iran on October 15th.

Qatar will wrap up the first round of group matches on November 14th, when it plays Uzbekistan at home.