Qatar And Saudi Arabia Complete Asian Quota At The 2026 World Cup, It Has Been Predicted Since Becoming A Golden Children

JAKARTA - Qatar and Saudi Arabia both confirmed their place in the 2026 World Cup on Wednesday, October 14, 2025, evening local time.

Qatar beat the United Arab Emirates (UAE) 2-1 and Saudi Arabia drew 0-0 against Iraq. The result ensures they become also each group in the Fourth Round of the 2026 Asian Zone World Cup Qualifiers.

This marks the first time Qatar, who lost in third group stage matches when they hosted the 2022 World Cup, has qualified.

Saudi Arabia, which will host the 2034 World Cup, will appear for the seventh time next summer in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

"This is an extraordinary, extraordinary day," said Qatar coach Julen Lopetegui to beIN Sports.

Lopetegui now had another chance to coach at the World Cup after he was sacked by Spain just two days before the start of the world's most popular tournament in 2018.

"For me, this is one of the best days of my career. Today I think it is a big achievement that we should enjoy," said Lopetegui.

This victory put Qatar at the top of Group A, ahead of the UAE which was in second place. Meanwhile, Oman was eliminated after finishing in third place in the group.

In Group B, Saudi Arabia underwent a tense party. Facing the Indonesian national team in the opening match, The Green Falcons managed to win a dramatic 3-1.

Interestingly, Iraq managed to beat Indonesia 1-0 so that it had the same points as Saudi Arabia. Not surprisingly, Saudi Arabia vs Iraq's duel was also a determinant.

The Green Falcons only need any draw because they are already ahead in the tiebreakers rules over Iraq. In the end, the Saudi vs Iraq Arabian match ended without a goal so that it smoothed Hervemen's troops advance to the 2026 World Cup finals.

Iraq has ended the Fourth Round of 2026 World Cup Qualifiers as runners-up and will try their luck to get tickets to North America through the Fifth Round.

However, Iraq will go through a long journey. They had to meet the United Arab Emirates in the Fifth Round of 2026 World Cup Qualifiers in two legs, 13 and 18 November 2025 matches.

The winner of the match will represent Asia (AFC) to fight for a ticket through the Interconfederation Playoff.

At the Interconfederation Playoff, Sati, the Asian representative, will fight for one African representative (CAF), two countries from Concacaf, one Conmebol representative, and one country from OFC.

Iraq is trying to win one ticket left to return to the World Cup since the last time in the 1986 edition.

Meanwhile, the qualifying of Saudi Arabia and Qatar to the 2026 World Cup was predicted before the Fourth Round began.

In fact, many say that the two countries are becoming FIFA gold boys. Not without reason the label echoed.

From the election to host the Fourth Round of 2026 World Cup Qualification, the appointment of referees, to match schedule arrangements has also benefited Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

The Indonesian national team became the most vocal team to see this injustice. In fact, PSSI sent a protest note to FIFA and AFC to ask the referees who led the Garuda vs Saudi Arabia squad match to come from neutral areas.

However, FIFA and AFC did not heed. They still assign referees from Kuwait to be the judges for the match between the Indonesian vs Saudi Arabia national team.

In addition, regarding the match schedule, Saudi Arabia and Qatar have more time off than other teams in the group.

Saudi Arabia has a gap of about five days after fighting the Indonesian national team to then face Iraq in the last match.

Likewise, Qatar, who played the first match against Oman five days later against the United Arab Emirates.

Meanwhile, other teams must accept that they have a gap of only three days less between matches.