Doha: Efforts accumulated to enable the Qatari national team to achieve a historic milestone by qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2026, to be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. This marked a new chapter in the team history, overcoming the challenges of the qualifiers after eleven previous unsuccessful campaigns, dating back to their first attempt ahead of the 1978 edition held in Argentina.
According to Qatar News Agency, the mission was far from easy during the fourth round (playoff stage), which Al-Annabi was forced into after failing to progress from the third round. The challenge was intense in a group that resembled a mini Gulf Cup, with strong competition against the Omani and Emirati national teams.
Achieving this success required the key players to be at their highest level of readiness and alertness to overcome a difficult stage and secure the sole direct qualification spot from Group A, thus avoiding the complex scenario of finishing second, which would have meant another playoff against the runner-up from Group B, followed by a grueling path through the intercontinental playoffs.
The Qatari players rose to the occasion. After a shaky start with a goalless draw against Oman, they entered a must-win match against the UAE and delivered with a 2-1 victory, sparking widespread celebration among fans both in the stadium and beyond.
While the achievement is credited to the collective effort of players, coaching and administrative staff, and the supportive fans, five standout players played a pivotal leadership role in steering the team toward this long-awaited dream. At the forefront was goal-scoring defender Boualem Khoukhi, who demonstrated outstanding leadership. Drawing on his extensive experience from past campaigns, he channeled his accumulated wisdom in service of the team, helping to finally break through the qualifying barrier that had blocked Qatar’s path to the World Cup for so many years.
The team captain did not stop at reinforcing the backline as a fierce central defender. He also played a crucial role in paving the way for Qatar victory over the UAE by scoring the opening goal with a well-placed header, relieving the pressure on the team. Khoukhi embodied fighting spirit and dedication, especially after sustaining an injury in the first match against Oman that forced him off in the final minutes. Despite this setback, he returned to start the second match, only to be injured again and leave the field, but not before his defensive partner, Pedro Miguel, reassured him by scoring the team second goal.
The second standout player was Akram Afif, who has long been the key figure for the Qatari national team, consistently delivering performances that helped Al-Annabi secure their historic back-to-back AFC Asian Cup titles in 2019 and 2023. Although Afif didn’t quite shine in the opening match against Oman, he fulfilled expectations in the decisive encounter with the UAE, playing a pivotal role in both Qatari goals with two high-quality assists through pinpoint crosses that were expertly converted with headers by Khoukhi Boualem and Pedro Miguel.
Qualifying for the World Cup may have set the stage for Afif to achieve a historic individual milestone: the possibility of being crowned AFC Player of the Year for a third time at the annual awards ceremony scheduled for today in Riyadh, which is a feat that would make him the first player in Asia to earn the honor three times, following his previous wins in 2019 and 2023.
The third standout player was goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada, who etched his name in golden letters in the history of Al-Annabi after bravely guarding his goal under the most difficult moments of the match against the UAE. A keeper who had nearly retired from football due to long-standing injuries, Abunada rewrote his career narrative and emerged as a star with a heroic save in stoppage time, denying a certain goal that could have sent the opponent through instead. His alertness preserved Qatar lead until the final whistle, and his overall performance made him one of the standout players of the match.
The fourth central figure was Spanish coach Julen Lopetegui, who prepared his players mentally and tactically in an ideal manner. He managed the match details with wisdom and intelligence, striking a fine balance between the need to win, which required effective attacking play, and a strong defensive setup in light of the opponent strength. Perhaps Lopetegui’s most important achievement was shielding his players from the psychological pressure stemming from the UAE’s advantage of needing only a win or a draw to advance. He kept the team focused and confident in their ability to get the job done.
The fifth and final star who played a direct role in the qualification was the Qatari fans, who fulfilled their role to the fullest, energizing the players, standing by them throughout the match, especially during the difficult final moments, and believing in their ability to get the job done. The most powerful scene that embodied the fans role was their insistence on not having the national anthem played through the speakers, choosing instead to chant it themselves. This was a message that resonated with the players, who rose to the occasion and delivered, leading to the overwhelming joy of securing World Cup qualification.