Qatar and Oman clashed in World Cup playoff opener

The stage was set for a football showdown as Qatar and Oman kicked off the first match in Group A of the Asian playoff for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The action unfolded on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at the iconic Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, with fans buzzing in anticipation across the region.

Teams battled for a world cup dream

The group featured Qatar, UAE, and Oman, all fighting for a golden ticket to the World Cup. Matches ran in Doha from October 8 to 14, while Group B (Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Indonesia) played in Jeddah. The stakes? Only the group winner would book a direct spot in the finals, while runners-up faced a nerve-wracking two-legged playoff for a shot at the global intercontinental playoff.

Qatar aimed for redemption

After a bumpy ride in the third qualifying round, Qatar was hungry to bounce back. The reigning Asian champs (2019, 2023) were eyeing their second World Cup appearance after hosting in 2022. Their squad, a blend of seasoned stars and fresh faces led by Hassan Al-Haydos, included talents like Akram Afif, Ahmed Alaa, Mohammed Muntari, and Meshaal Barsham guarding the net. Qatar finished fourth in their previous group with 13 points, just behind UAE and Oman.

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Oman brought the heat

Oman’s lineup, featuring Al-Rashidi, Al-Yahmadi, Al-Khamisi, and more, was ready to shake things up. The team hoped to make history and reach the World Cup finals for the first time, with fans across Oman rallying behind their squad. With only two matches—against Qatar and then UAE—every moment counted in this high-stakes football fiesta.

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