### UAE on the Brink of World Cup Qualification: A Historic Moment The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is on the verge of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1990, following a crucial 2-1 victory over Oman in the Asian qualifiers. This win places the UAE in a strong position, needing only a draw against Qatar in their next match to secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup. The UAE's performance has been notable, especially as they are competing against established teams in Asia, with Japan, South Korea, Australia, Iran, Uzbekistan, and Jordan already having secured their places in the tournament [https://www.rediff.com/sports/report/uae-on-cusp-on-fifa-world-cup-spot-iraq-on-course-pix/20251012.htm]. ### Breakdown of the UAE's World Cup Qualification Journey 1. **Recent Match Performance** - The UAE defeated Oman 2-1, with late goals from Marcus Meloni and Caio Lucas sealing the victory [https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/UAE-move-closer-to-World-Cup-as-late-goals-seal-win-over-Oman]. - This match was part of the fourth round of the Asian qualifiers, where the UAE now leads Group A [https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/article/victory-puts-uae-on-brink-of-qualifying-for-first-21096280.php]. 2. **Qualification Requirements** - To qualify for the World Cup, the UAE needs at least a draw against Qatar in their upcoming match [https://www.socialnews.xyz/2025/10/11/uae-beat-oman-to-move-closer-to-first-fifa-wc-2026-qualification-since-1990]. - This would mark their second World Cup appearance, the first being in 1990 [https://www.thehawk.in/news/sports/uae-beat-oman-to-move-closer-to-first-fifa-wc-2026-qualification-since-1990]. 3. **Historical Context** - The UAE's last World Cup appearance was 35 years ago, making this potential qualification a significant milestone for the nation [https://www.newsminimalist.com/articles/united-arab-emirates-nears-world-cup-qualification-after-defeating-oman-896eaef6]. - The team has shown resilience and determination, especially in their recent matches, which has garnered support from fans and analysts alike [https://gulfnews.com/sport/football/fifa-world-cup-qualifier-uae-defeats-oman-21-in-an-all-gulf-clash-1.500303792]. ### Supporting Evidence of UAE's Performance - **Match Statistics**: - **UAE vs. Oman**: - Final Score: UAE 2 - 1 Oman - Goals: Marcus Meloni (late), Caio Lucas (late) [https://www.flashscore.dk/news/soccer-world-cup-uae-stage-late-comeback-against-oman-to-keep-world-cup-hopes-alive/buCdIdat]. - **Group Standings**: - UAE currently leads Group A in the AFC Asian Qualifiers, positioning them favorably for the final match against Qatar [https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/international-football/fifa-world-cup-2026-qualifiers-uae-beats-oman-in-group-a/article70154328.ece]. ### Conclusion: A Historic Opportunity for the UAE In summary, the UAE's recent victory over Oman has placed them on the cusp of World Cup qualification, a feat not achieved since 1990. With only one match remaining against Qatar, the stakes are high, and the team is poised to make history. 1. **Current Position**: UAE leads Group A and needs a draw against Qatar to qualify. 2. **Recent Performance**: A comeback victory against Oman highlights their potential. 3. **Historical Significance**: Qualification would mark a significant achievement for the UAE football team. The upcoming match against Qatar will be pivotal, and fans are hopeful for a successful outcome that could see the UAE return to the World Cup stage [https://www.barrons.com/news/uae-edge-closer-to-world-cup-after-beating-oman-10d9f780].