Doha: Under the bright lights of Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Qatar scripted a night to remember - one that will echo through their footballing history. In a high-stakes clash brimming with drama, the Maroons edged past the United Arab Emirates 2-1 on Tuesday night to seal their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

With qualification on the line, Julen Lopetegui’s men delivered when it mattered most. Goals from Boualem Khoukhi and Pedro Miguel, both created by the brilliant Akram Afif, powered Qatar to victory despite a nervy ending following Tarek Salman’s red card and a late UAE strike from Sultan Adil. The result sent thousands of Qatari fans inside the packed Al Sadd venue into wild celebration.

An emotional Afif, who was the architect of both goals, dedicated the win to the home supporters. “It’s a great achievement to qualify for the World Cup. We gave our best and got the result we wanted. The credit goes to our incredible fans who lifted us throughout this match,” he said. Veteran captain Hassan al-Haydos called it a “dream come true,” while goal-scorer Khoukhi hailed it as “a victory for all Qataris.”

Qatar’s journey came full circle on Tuesday night - from hosting their first-ever World Cup in 2022 to earning qualification on merit for the next one. As the players embraced under the stadium lights, the sense was unmistakable: this was more than a win; it was a statement of belief, resilience, and pride.