In a tense qualifier at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Tuesday, Qatar edged the United Arab Emirates 2-1 to seal a direct spot at next year’s World Cup finals in Canada, the United States, and Mexico.

After a cautious first half, Qatar broke the deadlock when captain Boualem Khoukhi rose above the defence to head home Akram Afif’s pinpoint free-kick in the 49th minute. The goal lifted the home crowd and swung momentum in the hosts’ favour. Pedro Miguel increased their lead in the 74th.

Talismanic Akram Afif made a world of difference for Qatar and it was he who unlocked the UAE defence on both goal occasions. The current AFC Player of the Year delivered the free kicks that helped his team-mates score the winners.

UAE started pushing harder after Qatar’s Tarek Salman was red carded for a rough tackle. UAE’s Sultan Adil scored in the eighth minute of added time, but it was a case of too little, too late.

“Today was the day we were looking forward to. We were born for this day, because we are the ones who have finished with the whole world, the matter is over. I don't care about who is clear or who is upset. Today, I tell you is the day we are looking forward to, and we will take it. We don't care if it is here or somewhere else. Praise be to God Almighty. Congratulations to our fans,” Afif was quoted as saying after the game.

The victory cements Qatar’s rise as a growing football power. Following their successful hosting of the 2022 tournament, Al Annabi will now appear at the World Cup through competitive qualification for the first time, aiming to make a stronger on-field impression.

Across Doha and beyond, fans celebrated the milestone as a reward for years of investment in youth development and football infrastructure.

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