Doha. Qatar and Saudi Arabia clinched spots at next year’s World Cup on Tuesday after finishing atop their respective groups in the fourth round of Asian qualifying.

Qatar edged the United Arab Emirates 2–1 in Doha, while Saudi Arabia drew 0–0 with Iraq in Jeddah to become the seventh and eighth Asian teams to qualify for the expanded 48-team tournament. Both nations had home advantage in the decisive round.

It marks the first time Qatar has advanced through World Cup qualification. The team failed to win a match when it hosted the 2022 tournament. Saudi Arabia, the host of the 2034 World Cup, will make its seventh appearance next summer when the event is co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

“It’s one of the best days in my career,” Qatar coach Julen Lopetegui told the host broadcaster. “Today I think it is one big achievement we have to enjoy.”

For Lopetegui, it’s a personal redemption, a chance to coach at a World Cup after being dismissed by Spain two days before the 2018 tournament for accepting the Real Madrid job.

“I am very happy for the fans and the players, they worked hard and believed,” he said. “We are going to the World Cup, and I hope we can make history.”

Qatar topped Group A, with UAE finishing second to move into a November playoff against Iraq. Oman was eliminated after finishing third. The playoff winner will earn a chance to compete in an intercontinental qualifying tournament for one final World Cup spot.

Qatar’s best first-half chance came on the half-hour mark when Mohammed Al-Mannai’s header went just wide. Two minutes into the second half, Boualem Khoukhi opened the scoring with a header from Akram Afif’s free kick. With 17 minutes left, Afif set up Pedro Miguel for a second goal.

Qatar went down to 10 men in the 87th minute when Tarek Salman was shown a straight red card. Eight minutes into the 15 minutes of stoppage time, UAE pulled one back through Sultan Adil’s close-range strike but fell short of the draw needed to advance.

In Group B, Saudi Arabia secured qualification after a goalless draw with Iraq, having beaten Indonesia the previous week. The Saudis dominated possession but failed to convert their chances. Iraq, needing a win to qualify for its first World Cup since 1986, was eliminated.

Asia has eight automatic slots for the 2026 World Cup. Japan, South Korea, Australia, Iran, Uzbekistan, and Jordan had already booked their tickets in June.

In Tuesday friendlies, Japan rallied from two goals down to beat Brazil 3–2 in Tokyo, their first win over the South American giants in 14 attempts, with Ayase Ueda scoring the 71st-minute winner. South Korea defeated Paraguay 2–0 in Seoul.

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