
UAE take on Qatar, Oman in 2026 World Cup qualifiers
Qatar will host the Group B matches in the fourth round of the qualifiers in October.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia were drawn to take on Iraq and Indonesia in Group A.
The winners of each of the three-team groups, which will be played in October, will join already-qualified Australia, Japan, South Korea, Uzbekistan, Iran and Jordan at next year's expanded 48-nation finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Group B hosts Qatar, organisers of the 2022 World Cup but who have never qualified for the finals, will take on Oman in their first game on Oct. 8. UAE will face the Omanis on Oct. 11, with Qatar and the UAE meeting on Oct. 14.
Saudi Arabia, who are attempting to qualify for a seventh World Cup finals since 1994, will host Group A and open against Indonesia on Oct. 8.
Indonesia will then play Graham Arnold's Iraq on Oct. 11 before the Saudis and Iraq face off on Oct. 14.
The nations finishing in second place in each group will advance to a further round of qualifying, which will be held over two legs in November on a home-and-away basis.
Asia has been granted eight guaranteed berths at the finals. A possible ninth berth is available to the winner of November's match-up via an intercontinental playoff in March.
The UAE are attempting to the qualify for the World Cup for the first time since their debut appearance at Italia 1990.
The Whites finished third in the third round of qualifiers behind Iran and Uzbekistan in Group A, missing out on a direct berth for the World Cup.
Cosmin Olariu's team now gets another shot at glory.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Khaleej Times
an hour ago
- Khaleej Times
Saudi golf ambitions soar: Sir Nick Faldo to design championship course at Qiddiya City
Saudi Arabia's momentum in global golf continues to surge with the announcement of a new Sir Nick Faldo signature-designed golf course at Qiddiya City, a major future-forward destination just 40 minutes from Riyadh. Scheduled for completion in 2026, the project will include a world-class clubhouse, a golf academy, and expansive practice facilities, due by 2028. The 18-hole championship layout is set to stand out with its distinctive '3-hole return' routing system, making it more accessible and playable for golfers of all skill levels. Positioned against the towering 200-meter cliffs of the Tuwaiq Mountains, the setting alone promises to deliver one of the region's most visually striking golf experiences. In a move to support grassroots development, Qiddiya City has also announced it will become a global partner of the Faldo Series, the renowned international development pathway for young golfers, founded by Sir Nick nearly 30 years ago. Backing Future Golf Stars The partnership aims to enhance junior golf across the Kingdom and beyond, reinforcing Saudi Arabia's ambition to nurture homegrown talent and introduce more boys and girls to the sport. 'This is a unique opportunity to become involved in one of the most exciting cities being developed today,' said Sir Nick Faldo. 'Our partnership with Qiddiya City brings together the golf community with a whole nation bubbling with energy to be active and try new sports.' Sir Nick is no stranger to the region. His design portfolio includes the popular Faldo Course at Emirates Golf Club in Dubai and Katameya Dunes in Cairo, Egypt, both acclaimed for blending traditional golf strategy with contemporary aesthetics. At Qiddiya, his latest design will integrate innovative features, including floodlights for night play, multiple tee decks for varying skill levels, and a forward-thinking blend of entertainment and competition that appeals to new golfers as much as seasoned players. Qiddiya's Bold Sports Vision The course is part of a broader, ambitious sports and cultural blueprint for Qiddiya. Also on the horizon: the Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Stadium, which will play host to events such as the 2034 FIFA World Cup; a Speed Park Track for motorsports; and a landmark Performing Arts Center - all combining to make Qiddiya a multi-disciplinary global hub. Adding to the Kingdom's growing golf footprint, Golf Saudi has also announced a strategic partnership with Five Iron Golf, a global leader in high-tech, indoor golf experiences. The first Saudi location is set to open in early 2026, joining Five Iron's existing 30 venues across four countries, including the UAE. These ventures are tightly aligned with Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia's national transformation plan, which sees sports, including golf, as central to a diversified, innovation-driven future. The Kingdom has already cemented its international golf presence through partnerships and investments in tournaments with LIV Golf, the Ladies European Tour (LET), and other high-profile events and venues. With this latest wave of development—from elite courses to immersive entertainment spaces—Saudi Arabia is positioning itself not just as a player in global golf, but a leader. As construction moves forward and partnerships deepen, the world will be watching closely. The Qiddiya project and other upcoming ventures represent not just a vision for golf—but a statement of intent for the Kingdom's sporting future.


Khaleej Times
5 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Northrop and Casey set JGE's Fire Course ablaze in nail-biting Jumeirah Pairs thriller
Jumeirah Golf Estates' Fire course set the stage for a fiercely competitive edition of the Monthly Jumeirah Pairs, sponsored by The Brain & Performance Centre – a DP World Company. Played in a Pairs Shambles format, the competition took place from the Composite Tees for men and the Forward Tees for women. Competition was intense, with a three-way back-nine countback required to determine the podium positions. However, the standout round of the day came from the winning duo of Harry Northrop and Kieran Casey, who triumphed by two strokes after a round of 12 under par, net 60. Their round featured six consecutive birdies on the front nine, as well as a net eagle on the par-4 15th hole. Casey said, 'The condition of the Fire course was superb, and the Jumeirah Golf Estates Agronomy Team should be proud of their efforts this summer. I cannot imagine it has been easy for them in the heat, but they continue, day in and day out, to present us Members with fantastic playing surfaces and a truly prestigious golf course.' Thee-way tie Determining the runners-up was far more contentious, with three pairs tied at 10 under par, net 62 – all delivering impressive performances. After the back-nine, back-six, back-three, and final-hole countbacks, Richard Green and Martin Stewart, as well as Bradley Valentine and Andrew Turnbull, could not be separated and were declared joint runners-up – a tremendously competitive and close finish for both pairings. Commiserations went to the father-son duo of Neil and Charles Gallagher, who also shot 10 under par, net 62, but missed the podium by the narrowest of margins. In the Gross Division, Mark Schoombie and Jacob Wissum delivered a superb performance with their bogey-free round of 66, six under par. The pair claimed victory by two strokes. The on-course competitions, all sponsored by The Brain and Performance Centre, added another layer of excitement to the day. Pin Perfect Half of the Gross-winning pair, Mark Schoombie, won Nearest the Pin on the par-3 8th with a brilliant shot landing just three feet from the hole, setting up partner Wissum for an easy tap-in birdie. Martin Stewart made his way to the stage for the second time in the evening, claiming Nearest the Pin in Two on the 10th. Alan McNamara took home the Nearest the Pin prize on the tricky par-3 14th after a superb tee shot that finished just inches from the hole. Grateful for Support During the prize presentation, Cameron McWhinnie, Assistant Golf Services Manager at Jumeirah Golf Estates, reflected on the day: 'Despite the Dubai summer heat providing a challenge, it is great to see such an attendance for this popular event on the JGE calendar. Special thanks, as always, goes to our sponsor of the Jumeirah Pairs – The Brain & Performance Centre – a DP World Company.'


Khaleej Times
5 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Mohammed's seals Orient Travel Monthly Stableford win with birdie-eagle blitz
Despite the sweltering summer heat, golfers turned out in strong numbers for the Orient Travel Monthly Stableford at Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club on Saturday. Emerging victorious was Shayan Mohammed, who impressed with a stellar round featuring six net birdies and two net eagles to finish four-under-par and accumulate 40 Stableford points. Shayan's performance secured him the top spot and earned him coveted prizes generously provided by the Saudi Tourism Authority, the event's proud sponsor. Close behind was Samiuddin Siddiqui, who posted 39 Stableford points. Despite narrowly missing out on first place, Samiuddin's excellent round earned him the runner-up position. Shagir Mohammed also scored 39 points, claiming third place after another consistent performance. 'I'm really proud of the way I played today, everything just clicked,' said Mohammed. 'The course was in great shape despite the heat, and I'm grateful to the club and sponsors for putting on such a fantastic event. It's always special to come out on top in an event like this.' In the Gross Division, Sami Butt led the field with 34 points to take the top prize. The Orient Travel Monthly Stableford continues to be a highlight on the club's calendar, thanks in large part to the generous support of its sponsors and the enthusiastic participation of its members. or contact the club via phone, email, or WhatsApp.