Qatar vs UAE Prediction, 00:00 October 15: Historic Ticket

TPO - Football analysis Qatar vs UAE, 2026 World Cup qualifiers - Team information, expected lineup, form, head-to-head history. With just 1 more point, UAE will officially return to the World Cup, for the first time in 36 years of participating in the world's number 1 playground...

Predictions before the match Qatar vs UAE

Qatar has seen significant progress in the last five years, becoming one of Asia’s most improved national teams. Once considered a mid-table side, they are now regulars at major tournaments. Qatar made their first World Cup appearance in 2022, albeit as hosts, and have won back-to-back Asian Cups in 2019 and 2023, taking Qatar to a new level of quality.

Fans expect more from them, taking victories for granted. Because on their journey to win the 2023 Asian Cup, they defeated Japan and overcame Iran, so no opponent in Asia can stop Qatar.

But their journey to the 2026 World Cup is still full of challenges. Opponents are growing strongly, either promoting naturalization or increasing youth training, while Qatar is standing still. They cannot introduce the next generation or naturalize quality names. Qatar's squad is still too dependent on conductor Akram Afif, the simple and predictable playing style, and the players handle the ball arbitrarily. The great disappointment in the 2026 World Cup 3rd qualifying round and most recently the weak 0-0 draw with Oman, has proven that.

Julen Lopetegui's side had 70% possession, had 13 shots to Oman's six, and had a significant advantage in expected goals (1.32 to 0.17). However, poor finishing condemned them to a goalless draw. Qatar's strikers failed to find the back of the net on clear-cut chances, such as when Afif flicked wide from close range or when Madibo headed wide from just two metres.

Afif cannot carry Qatar forever

Form, history of confrontations between Qatar and UAE

Going into the final round, Qatar were second in Group A, behind the UAE. The scenario was simple: a win would send Qatar straight to the World Cup, a draw would secure second place, forcing them into an intercontinental play-off. And a loss could be disastrous. Qatar risked dropping to third place and missing out on the World Cup, a huge blow to the reigning Asian champions.

The UAE team has only participated in the World Cup once, that was in 1990. Now their chance to return to the world's top football tournament is bigger than ever. On the 11th, UAE won an important victory over Oman (2-1), bringing them closer to the ticket.

The UAE is the opposite of Qatar. This team came after but seems to be breaking away from its neighbor. In recent years, the UAE's naturalization policy has brought clear results. Rúben Canedo, Lucas Pimenta, Erik, Marcus Meloni, Nicolás Giménez... continue the success of the F1 naturalized generation, helping to raise the UAE's level. The team that lost to Vietnam in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers now drew with Uzbekistan and beat Qatar in both meetings in the third qualifying round.

The UAE’s 5-0 win over Qatar remains one of the biggest surprises in West Asian football. This time, the crazy scoreline is unlikely to happen, but a favorable result for the UAE is entirely possible given the team’s outstanding consistency (unbeaten in the last 7 matches, won 5).

Expected lineup Qatar vs UAE

Qatar : Abunada, Miguel, Al Oui, Al Brake, Afif, Al Mannai, Khoukhi, Al Ganehi, Edmilson, Boudiaf, Madibo.

UAE : Khasif, Abdulbasit, Canedo, Erik, Ivkovic, Lima, Pimenta Peres, Gimenez, Saleh, Suhail, Zhir.

Score prediction: Qatar 1-1 UAE

Source: https://tienphong.vn/nhan-dinh-qatar-vs-uae-00h00-ngay-1510-tam-ve-lich-su-post1786926.tpo