Latest news with #AFCAsianQualifiers–Roadto2026
Observer
6 days ago
- Sport
- Observer
Queiroz unveils Red Warriors' squad for domestic camp
MUSCAT: The new head coach of Oman's national football team, Carlos Queiroz, officially announced his first squad on Monday since taking charge of the coaching staff. The short preparatory domestic training camp is set to take place in Muscat from Wednesday until August 9. This initial gathering will mark the beginning of Oman's crucial build-up towards the decisive AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 2026 campaign. The announced list featured some of the emerging young faces, with several players making their senior team debut after impressive performances with the Olympic squad. The squad excluded players from Seeb as they are underway in their participation for the AFC Champions League Two to ensure they remain focused on continental club duties. Queiroz's squad announcement followed his active attendance during recent domestic competitions in Salalah. The experienced Portuguese coach closely observed the Salalah four-team tournament, where Al Nahda lifted the trophy after a penalty shootout (4-3) following a 1-1 draw in regular time. Furthermore, he attended the Super Cup clash between Al Shabab and Seeb, which ended 5-4 in favour of Al Shabab after a goalless draw. This domestic camp will represent a vital phase in Queiroz's broader strategic plan as he will lead Oman into the fourth and final stage of the AFC Asian Qualifiers for the Fifa World Cup 2026. Oman are placed in Group A alongside hosts Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. All matches in this group are scheduled to be held in Doha from October 8 to 14. Meanwhile, Group B featured Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Indonesia, with their matches to be held in Jeddah. Coach Queiroz has already expressed his intention to establish a high-performance culture focused on tactical discipline, smart planning and strong team chemistry. Speaking in a recent interview, he described his role as a "great honour" and emphasised the importance of 'ambitious preparation, smart goals, and discipline from everyone involved.' A press conference is scheduled on Tuesday as Coach Queiroz will share further details on his roadmap for Oman's World Cup ambitions. Oman squad: Ibrahim al Mukhaini, Fayez al Rushaidi, Abdulmalik al Badri, Ghanim al Habshi, Ahmed al Kaabi, Thani al Rushaidi, Turki Bait Subaih, Amjad al Harthy, Juma al Habsi, Nayef Bait Subaih, Mahmood al Mushefri, Sameer al Hatmi, Ahed al Mashakeyhi, Harib al Saadi, Hatim al Roushdi, Sultan al Marzooqi, Musab al Mamari, Hussain al Shahri, Jameel al Yahmadi, Mohammed al Ghafri, Osama Majdi, Mohammed Bait Subaih, Ahmed al Riyami, Al Mundher al Alawi and Hamed al Nuaimi.
Observer
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Oman drop two spots in Fifa ranking for July
MUSCAT: The national football team dropped two positions in the latest Fifa World Rankings which was released on Thursday. Red Warriors placed at the 79th globally with 1323.91 points compared to 81st position and 1314.41 points in the previous rankings published earlier this year. The updated standings reflect the outcomes of Oman's recent performances in the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 2026, where the Red Warriors faced two crucial encounters that shaped their campaign. Despite a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Jordan in Muscat, the team bounced back in dramatic style as they secured a 1-1 draw against Palestine in their final Group B match, thanks to a late penalty equaliser from striker Issam al Subhi. That decisive goal ensured Oman's progression to the playoff round and keeping their World Cup hopes alive. The team's initially scheduled a comprehensive domestic training camp in Salalah from July 1 to 19, aimed at refining the squad's readiness for the next phase. However, the Oman Football Association (OFA) recently announced the postponement of this camp. In an official statement issued on July 1, the OFA explained that the postponement decision was made in light of an ongoing comprehensive technical and administrative review conducted by its Technical Committee. This internal evaluation is part of the association's broader goal to enhance the quality of work and planning across the national teams. The review includes studying the past performance strategy, assessing the outcomes of the last qualification phase, and aligning the next steps with long-term development objectives for Omani football. The OFA emphasised that this measure is intended to maximise preparation and readiness ahead of major upcoming competitions. Despite the delay in domestic preparations, Oman team still will have a significant international assignment before the playoff stage resumes. The national team is set to participate in the CAFA (Central Asian Football Association) Nations League 2025, a friendly international tournament scheduled from August 26 to September 9, co-hosted by Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Oman drawn into Group A alongside the hosts Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan, while Group B featured Iran, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Malaysia. The tournament is expected to provide vital competitive exposure especially as Oman will face teams with varying tactical strengths and styles. The Red Warriors previously took part in the 2023 edition of the CAFA Nations League and are expected to leverage that experience to field a well-prepared squad for this year's edition. All eyes are on the playoff draw which is scheduled to take place on July 17 as Oman will discover their opponent in the final stage of the Asian qualifiers. The playoff round will offer two direct additional qualification spots for the 2026 Fifa World Cup, to be hosted jointly by Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Observer
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Red Warriors in Group A in Asian Nations League
MUSCAT, July 3 The Oman national football team clubbed with Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan in Group A of the CAFA (Central Asian Football Association) Nations League 2025. The draw of the Asian event took place on Thursday in Dushanbe city, Tajikistan. The tournament will be co-hosted in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan during August 26 to September 9. The Oman Football Association confirmed participation of the national team in the upcoming CAFA Nations League 2025. This marks Oman's second consecutive appearance in the tournament, following their participation in the inaugural edition in 2023. The 2025 edition will see the tournament co-hosted by Uzbekistan and Tajikistan with eight teams divided into two groups. Oman will vie for a slot for the knockout stage as they compete in Group A alongside Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan while in group which will feature Iran, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Malaysia teams. Oman, a member of the West Asian Football Federation (WAFF), continue to build on its international presence by taking part in this regional competition against member nations from the Central Asian Football Association, as well as other invited teams. Malaysia, representing the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF), join as a special invitee, replacing Russia following their withdrawal from the tournament. The CAFA Nations League is part of the broader objective to increase competitive exposure for participating teams. In the 2023 inaugural edition, Iran emerged as champions after defeating hosts Uzbekistan 1-0 in the final. Oman's participation in the tournament are inline with the team's extended preparation strategy ahead of the next critical round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 2026 as the Red Warriors will aim to secure one of the remaining playoff spots for the global showpiece. On the other hand, the coaching staff are working for an alternative camp as the scheduled domestic camp in Salalah for July postponed for a comprehensive technical and administrative review by the OFA's technical committee. According to OFA, the review will include complete evaluation on the previous phase, examining past performance strategies, and assessing outcomes to ensure the best possible preparation for the upcoming period.
Associated Press
04-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Keeta Continues AFC Sponsorship, Supporting Key Asian Qualifiers
RIYADH, NOT APPLICABLE, SAUDI ARABIA, June 4, 2025 / / -- Keeta, the international subsidiary of Meituan, China's on-demand delivery giant, is continuing its sponsorship of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 2026, maintaining its involvement in major regional football events hosted in Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC. Following its debut during the Saudi Arabia vs. China fixture in March, Keeta will now support two upcoming qualifiers: Saudi Arabia vs. Bahrain on June 5th in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia vs. Australia on June 10th in Jeddah. These matches mark Keeta's second and third activations under its partnership with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). 'As the AFC qualifiers progress, we're pleased to be part of these moments that bring people together,' said Ashley Lui, CEO of Keeta, Middle East. 'Through our continued sponsorship, we aim to contribute to the energy and unity that football creates across communities.' Keeta's presence includes in-stadium visibility, digital engagement, and fan-oriented activations designed to enhance the matchday experience in a thoughtful and localized way. Influencer collaborations and real-time content will support community engagement around the matches. This sponsorship reflects Keeta's growing connection with Saudi Arabia and its alignment with Vision 2030 goals, encouraging active lifestyles, local innovation, and stronger community ties. With over 30,000 riders and partnerships with thousands of restaurants across the Kingdom, Keeta is steadily becoming part of daily life for many households. As the global arm of Meituan, Keeta leverages the expertise of its mother company which manages over 98 million peak daily orders and serves more than 770 million users. While Keeta's involvement is through its official sponsorship of the AFC, its increasing presence at key matches hosted in the GCC underscores a broader commitment to the region's development, culture, and people. -Ends- Noura Saud Communications lead [email protected] Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Observer
09-03-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Oman coach selects squad for Red Warriors camp
MUSCAT, MARCH 9 Oman head coach, Rasheed Jaber, has selected 24 players for the national team domestic camp which began on Sunday night and will run until March 13. The five-day camp is designed to provide an opportunity for local club players to train under the national team coaching staff during a break in the top-tier league. This camp is a crucial part of Oman's preparations for the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 2026. Seeb players will join the camp after the team match against Al Arabi of Kuwait in the second leg of quarterfinals of AFC Challenge Cup which is scheduled on Wednesday at Seeb Stadium. The opted players in the squad were: Ibrahim al Mukhaini, Abdulmalik al Badri, Khalid al Buraiki, Ghanim al Habsi, Thani al Rushedi, Majid al Saadi, Khalid al Ghatrefi, Musab al Shaqsi, Harib al Saadi, Abdullah Fawaz, Ahed al Mashaikhi, Al Faraj al Kiyumi, Redwan al Siyabi, Mulham al Sunaidi, Issa al Naabi, Ahmed al Kaabi, Yousef al Malki, Hussain al Shahri, Mohammed al Ghafri, Salah al Yahyaei, Nasser al Rawahi, Mundher al Wahaibi, Mohammed Abdulhakeem and Hatim al Roushdi. Based to the confirmation of Oman team manager, Khalid al Rawas, the national team will play a friendly match against Sudan on Thursday at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, after the cancellation of the previous match against Niger. The warm-up game against Sudan serves as the only match ahead of AFC Asian Qualifiers encounters against South Korea and Kuwait on March 20 in Korea. In the beginning week of March, Red Warriors concluded their first short warm-up gathering which lasted for few days. During the last camp, the team went under several training sessions and the camp was an opportunity for the coaching staff to monitor the players' physical and technical level. Oman will vie for spot from group B as they are now with six points in the group. Red Warriors will shift their focus to bounce back strongly in the qualifiers after their defeat against Iraq by 1-0 in last November. Red Warriors concentration will be on the third and fourth places as this will lead to another phase of competitions ahead of the World Cup in Mexico, USA and Canada next summer. Iraq has bolstered their chances of claiming one of the top two spots in Group B beside Jordan while South Korea almost confirmed their spot to the World Cup. Oman will face a challenging away fixture against group leaders South Korea in Seoul on March 20 and five days later they will meet Kuwait in Kuwait City.
