Lopetegui's Masterclass: How Qatar Locked In a 2026 World Cup Ticket With a 2-1 Win Over UAE
14 October 2025
Match recap
Qatar booked their place in the 2026 World Cup by defeating the United Arab Emirates 2-1 on Tuesday night at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, in the final round of Asia's qualifying playoff.
The win sealed qualification for the Qatari side under Spanish coach Julen Lopetegui after a tense tactical battle with UAE led by Romanian boss Cosmin Olăroiu.
Tactical notes
A decisive weapon in Qatar's quest was their willingness to lean on Akram Afif on the left wing, delivering dangerous crosses and dribbling runs that stretched the UAE defense.
UAE set up a compact backline and pressed aggressively, denying Qatar space in the middle and forcing heavy reliance on wide play.
While Lopetegui favored possession, Olăroiu's pressure paid off in the first half, as Qatar found few clear chances but remained dangerous on the flanks.
Turning points and standout moments
Afif's delivery from wide positions was a constant threat, and Qatar's crosses finally broke through with two goals from different phases of play, sealing the victory.
Injuries and late substitutions shaped the final stretch: Al Moaz Ali and Ayub Ali left the field, Tariq Salman came on, and Qatar tightened their defense to close out the win.
Cosmin's late push to chase the result did not prevent Qatar from sealing the affair, as a defensive miscue by Khaled Essa contributed to UAE’s concession.
Why the result mattered
UAE’s attempts to destabilize the Qatar defense failed to overturn the balance, with Qatar leveraging set pieces and precise crosses as their primary route to goal.
Ultimately, Qatar demonstrated a blend of rugged defense and attacking discipline that earned them a historic ticket to the World Cup in 2026.
