Oman keeps World Cup hopes alive with draw against Palestine
Muscat – Oman kept their 2026 FIFA World Cup hopes alive after a tense 1-1 draw against Palestine on Tuesday. This draw secured them a spot in the fourth round of Asian qualifiers.
The result, achieved in the final Group B fixture, saw Oman claim the final playoff berth from the group, finishing with 11 points – just one ahead of Palestine.
The national team will now join Indonesia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq and Saudi Arabia in the continental playoff round scheduled for October.
Oman coach Rashad Jaber expressed relief after the match. 'I thank God for this draw that helped us remain in the contest. I also thank the players for their efforts. We will do our best to qualify for the World Cup,' he said.
Group B concluded with South Korea and Jordan earning direct entry for the 2026 World Cup. Iraq, like Oman, progressed to the playoff stage. From the other qualifying groups, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Indonesia also made it to the final round.
According to former Al Suwaiq goalkeeper and sports analyst Ali al Shiyadi, the six teams will be placed into two groups of three, with matches played in a single-round format.
'The winners of each group will secure direct qualification, while the two second-placed teams will play off for a place in the global playoff, slated for March 2026.'
Based on current seedings, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are in the top tier, followed by the UAE and Iraq in the second. Oman and Indonesia make up the third seeding level.
The official draw for the playoff stage will take place on July 17, and Oman could be grouped with either Qatar or Saudi Arabia, alongside one of UAE or Iraq.
Across Oman, the result was met with celebration. In Ruwi, football fan Hamdan al Farsi called it 'a heroic effort'. He said, 'It was a nerve-wracking game, but the players showed heart and resilience. We are proud of them.'
University student Salma al Sulaimi said the team had united the nation. 'This campaign has given us hope and excitement. We believe in this team, and we'll be supporting them all the way to the World Cup.'
The squad received praise on social media for their determination and for navigating a challenging qualification campaign under pressure.
With attention now shifting to the July 17 draw, Oman will aim to take the next step towards a historic first appearance at the World Cup.
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