Alkass Digital
Qatar and Iran face off in a highly anticipated Group A clash in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asian Qualifiers tonight in Dubai. Both West Asian giants will renew their rivalry for the first time since their thrilling 3-2 encounter in the 2023 AFC Asian Cup semi-final, where Qatar emerged victorious. However, Qatar, led by Marquez Lopez, is expected to face a stiffer challenge from Amir Ghalenoei’s Iran, who are ranked 19th in the world.
Iran, currently second in the group with seven points, are the favorites despite only scoring two goals so far. Meanwhile, Qatar, ranked 44th, sit fourth with four points but are boosted by a 3-1 win over Kyrgyzstan in their last match. Both teams recognize the importance of this match, with only two automatic qualification spots available.
Lopez expressed confidence in his team's preparation, aiming to build on their recent win, while Iran’s coach Ghalenoei acknowledged Qatar’s strength and stressed the importance of securing a victory. The match is set to kick off at 7 PM Qatar time.
Other Matches Today:
Kyrgyzstan vs North Korea
Uzbekistan vs UAE
Jordan vs Oman
South Korea vs Iraq
Palestine vs Kuwait (Doha)
Saudi Arabia vs Bahrain
Japan vs Australia
China vs Indonesia