Latest news with #qualifiers
Khaleej Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
Poland coach Urban targets Lewandowski return as World Cup qualifiers loom
Poland's new manager Jan Urban said his immediate priority was persuading striker Robert Lewandowski to return to the national team. Urban was named on Wednesday to replace Michal Probierz, who resigned in June following a row over his decision to replace Lewandowski as captain. Poland sit third in their World Cup qualifying group behind Finland and the Netherlands and the Barcelona forward is widely seen as vital to their hopes of reaching next year's tournament. "I'll do everything... so that Robert comes back, because we know what situation Polish football is in," Urban told reporters on Thursday. Lewandowski, 36, is Poland's all-time top scorer with 85 goals in 158 appearances. "As of today, we can't afford not to have Robert in this team," the new manager added. Urban acknowledged the challenges faced by Poland, following a 2-1 loss to Finland in June and amid uncertainty surrounding Lewandowski's role. "Above all, we're talking about this difficult moment not because of the defeat to Finland. We have several problems to solve, including the matter of Robert Lewandowski's resignation," Urban said. "All of this needs to be properly sorted out to build a good atmosphere for this team to function. "We're aiming for a situation where every player wants to come to the national team and feels good being part of it." Poland's next World Cup qualifier is against the Netherlands away on September 4 before they host Finland three days later.
CNA
3 days ago
- Sport
- CNA
Poland's Urban targets Lewandowski return as World Cup qualifiers loom
WARSAW :Poland's new manager Jan Urban said his immediate priority was persuading striker Robert Lewandowski to return to the national team. Urban was named on Wednesday to replace Michal Probierz, who resigned in June following a row over his decision to replace Lewandowski as captain. Poland sit third in their World Cup qualifying group behind Finland and the Netherlands and the Barcelona forward is widely seen as vital to their hopes of reaching next year's tournament. "I'll do everything... so that Robert comes back, because we know what situation Polish football is in," Urban told reporters on Thursday. Lewandowski, 36, is Poland's all-time top scorer with 85 goals in 158 appearances. "As of today, we can't afford not to have Robert in this team," the new manager added. Urban acknowledged the challenges faced by Poland, following a 2-1 loss to Finland in June and amid uncertainty surrounding Lewandowski's role. "Above all, we're talking about this difficult moment not because of the defeat to Finland. We have several problems to solve, including the matter of Robert Lewandowski's resignation," Urban said. "All of this needs to be properly sorted out to build a good atmosphere for this team to function. "We're aiming for a situation where every player wants to come to the national team and feels good being part of it."
Reuters
3 days ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Poland's Urban targets Lewandowski return as World Cup qualifiers loom
WARSAW, July 17 (Reuters) - Poland's new manager Jan Urban said his immediate priority was persuading striker Robert Lewandowski to return to the national team. Urban was named on Wednesday to replace Michal Probierz, who resigned in June following a row over his decision to replace Lewandowski as captain. Poland sit third in their World Cup qualifying group behind Finland and the Netherlands and the Barcelona forward is widely seen as vital to their hopes of reaching next year's tournament. "I'll do everything... so that Robert comes back, because we know what situation Polish football is in," Urban told reporters on Thursday. Lewandowski, 36, is Poland's all-time top scorer with 85 goals in 158 appearances. "As of today, we can't afford not to have Robert in this team," the new manager added. Urban acknowledged the challenges faced by Poland, following a 2-1 loss to Finland in June and amid uncertainty surrounding Lewandowski's role. "Above all, we're talking about this difficult moment not because of the defeat to Finland. We have several problems to solve, including the matter of Robert Lewandowski's resignation," Urban said. "All of this needs to be properly sorted out to build a good atmosphere for this team to function. "We're aiming for a situation where every player wants to come to the national team and feels good being part of it." Poland's next World Cup qualifier is against the Netherlands away on September 4 before they host Finland three days later.
UAE Moments
3 days ago
- Sport
- UAE Moments
UAE to Face Qatar in Do-or-Die World Cup Qualifier
The UAE just got their match calendar — and it's about to get intense. In the next round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, the UAE landed in Group B, going head-to-head with Qatar (yes, that Qatar) and Oman. Match Dates You'll Want to Mark UAE vs Oman – October 11 UAE vs Qatar – October 14 That last one? It's a biggie. UAE vs Qatar is the showdown — a high-stakes game that's more than just football. It's regional rivalry, pride, and the road to the World Cup all rolled into one. Qatar's Campaign Starts Early Qatar opens their qualifier run against Oman on October 8. FYI, while they hosted the 2022 World Cup, they've never qualified on merit outside home turf. So yep, they've got something to prove. Quick Glance at Group A Over in Group A, Saudi Arabia kicks things off vs Indonesia on October 8. Then it's: Iraq vs Indonesia – October 11 Iraq vs Saudi Arabia – October 14 Only One Winner Moves Forward Yup, no second chances here. Only the group winners will qualify for the 2026 World Cup. The winners will join big names like Australia, Japan, South Korea, Iran, Uzbekistan, and Jordan at the mega 48-nation tournament happening in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
Al Jazeera
3 days ago
- Sport
- Al Jazeera
Qatar and Saudi Arabia find out AFC qualifying fate for 2026 FIFA World Cup
The draw for the fourth round of Asian Football Confederation (AFC) qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has revealed the fate of the final six teams from the continent vying for a place at next summer's 48-team expanded edition. Saudi Arabia and Qatar, the back-to-back AFC Cup winners, had already secured home advantage for the next round of qualifiers before Thursday's draw, which was made at AFC House, the headquarters of the football governing body on the continent, in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur. Al Jazeera Sport takes a look at what comes next for the AFC nations that remain part of the qualifying process. Which AFC teams can still qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup? Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Iraq, and Oman all missed out on qualification from the third round of AFC qualifiers but have progressed to the latest stage. How do the AFC qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup work? Two more AFC teams will directly join the six that had already qualified in the third round for the World Cup. One intercontinental playoffs spot will still be available beyond the fourth round of qualifiers. How will the fourth round of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup work? Two round-robin groups will result in the top team from each taking Asia's last two remaining automatic spots. What is the draw for the AFC fourth round of qualifiers for the FIFA 2026 World Cup? Qatar will host Group A, which also contains the United Arab Emirates and Oman. Saudi Arabia welcomes Iraq and Indonesia into Group B. When will the fourth round of AFC qualifiers for the FIFA 2026 World Cup be played? Saudi Arabia, who are attempting to qualify for a seventh World Cup finals since 1994, will host Group A and open against Indonesia on October 8. Indonesia will then play Graham Arnold's Iraq on October 11 before the Saudis and Iraq face-off on October 14. Group B is hosted by Qatar, organisers of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, but who have never qualified for the finals. They will take on Oman in their first game on October 8. UAE will face the Omanis on October 11, with Qatar and the UAE meeting on October 14. How do the Intercontinental qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup work? The teams that finish second in the round-robin groups in the fourth round of AFC qualifiers will meet in a playoff over two legs, home and away, in November. The winner of that match progresses to intercontinental playoffs for the final 2026 FIFA World Cup place, which are scheduled for March 2026. Which teams have confirmed their qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup? Six teams from Asia secured qualification last month from the third round of qualifiers by finishing in the top two of the three groups at that stage. Japan, Iran, South Korea and Australia have all participated numerous times, while Jordan and Uzbekistan will be making their first appearance. When will all teams for the 2026 FIFA World Cup be confirmed? The European qualification rounds will not be completed until March, with the intercontinental playoff final scheduled for March 31. As a result, we will not know the final 48 teams for the World Cup until less than three months before the tournament. Where will the FIFA World Cup games be in 2026? The United States, Canada and Mexico are jointly hosting the next edition of FIFA's showpiece international event. When is the 2026 FIFA World Cup scheduled? The tournament begins in Mexico City on June 11 and ends with the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19.
