The national football teams of Qatar and Saudi Arabia have successfully clinched their direct berths in the highly anticipated FIFA World Cup 2026, following impressive campaigns that saw them top their respective groups in the fourth round of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) qualifiers. Meanwhile, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), having finished as runners-up in their groups, will continue their quest for a spot by advancing to the crucial fifth round, where they will compete for a coveted intercontinental playoff position.
In the final set of matches for the AFC World Cup 2026 qualifiers Round 4, Qatar, the hosts of the 2022 World Cup, demonstrated their prowess by securing a 2-1 victory over the United Arab Emirates. Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, concluded their Round 4 journey with a goalless 0-0 draw against Iraq. Both nations, renowned for their strong performances in recent years, particularly since 2022, navigated a challenging qualification phase after experiencing a dip in form during 2025, which necessitated their participation in this demanding fourth round.
For Qatar, this marks a significant milestone as it represents their first-ever qualification for the World Cup purely on merit. Their previous appearance in the 2022 tournament was secured automatically as the host nation. Saudi Arabia, who famously upset Argentina in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup, also faced a demanding path to the 2026 finals. Their qualification was hard-fought, featuring a pivotal draw against Iraq and a crucial victory over Indonesia earlier in the campaign. This upcoming tournament will be their seventh appearance in the World Cup finals, a testament to their enduring presence on the global stage.
The journey continues for the United Arab Emirates and Iraq, who still hold an opportunity to secure a half-spot in the intercontinental playoffs. These two teams will clash in the AFC’s fifth qualification round, with the winner earning the right to compete against representatives from other confederations, including Oceania, Africa, North America, and South America. This intercontinental playoff will ultimately determine the allocation of the final two berths for the World Cup 2026. Oman and Indonesia were unfortunately eliminated at this stage, having finished at the bottom of their groups, thereby losing their chance to progress further in the qualifiers.
The FIFA World Cup 2026, set to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will be a landmark event. It will be the first edition of the tournament to feature an expanded format, accommodating 48 teams, a significant increase from the previous 32-team structure. The expanded format adds extra layers of excitement and competition, particularly for teams battling in the final playoff rounds for those last few remaining qualification spots.
