The UAE national team’s hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup remain alive even after their setback against Qatar which ended their chance for direct qualification. Now they must take a challenging playoff path in order to secure a place in the tournament that will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
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Step 1: AFC Playoff Against Iraq
The first crucial test is the two-legged Asian Football Confederation (AFC) play-off against Iraq. The UAE finished second in their group, setting up this high-stakes contest.
- The first leg will be hosted by the UAE on November 13, 2025.
- Iraq will host the decisive second leg on November 18, 2025.
- The winner of this two-match series will advance to the final stage of qualification.
Step 2: Intercontinental Playoffs
If the UAE defeat Iraq, they will proceed to the FIFA Play-Off Tournament which is the final round of qualifiers. This tournament will be held in Mexico from March 23 to 31, 2026.
- Six teams from various continents will compete for the final two World Cup slots.
- The participating teams include the winner of the UAE vs. Iraq playoff (AFC), one team from Africa (CAF), two from North/Central America (CONCACAF), Bolivia (CONMEBOL) and New Caledonia (OFC).
In the intercontinental playoffs six teams will be divided into two brackets. The two highest-ranked teams will go directly to the final of their bracket while the four lowest-ranked teams will face each other in single-leg semi-finals. The winners of these semi-finals will then meet the seeded teams in the bracket finals. Finally the two winners of the bracket finals will claim the last two spots at the World Cup.
2026 FIFA World Cup Qualified Teams
- Hosts: Canada, Mexico, United States
- Africa: Algeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia
- Asia: Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Uzbekistan
- Europe: England
- Oceania: New Zealand
- South America: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay
Has the UAE ever qualified for the World Cup?
Yes, the UAE has previously qualified for the FIFA World Cup, achieving its sole appearance at the tournament in 1990. This achievement confirms their capability, motivating the team as they navigate the tough playoff path for a spot in the 2026 finals.
