AFC 2025: Qatar defeats UAE 2–1 to qualify for FIFA World Cup 2026; is this the end of UAE?

Qatar defeated the UAE 2–1 in a decisive AFC World Cup 2026 qualifier in Doha, securing their spot in next year’s tournament. Two second-half headers gave Qatar the edge, while UAE’s late goal wasn’t enough. Needing only a draw, UAE now heads to the fifth-round playoffs. The win marks Qatar’s first World Cup qualification through the standard route.