Doha: The draw for the Asian playoffs of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, held this Thursday morning at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) headquarters in Malaysia, has set the stage for thrilling Arab clashes.

Qatar was drawn into Group A alongside the UAE and Oman, with all matches set to be hosted in Doha, reinforcing the country’s role as a premier football hub. Meanwhile, Group B features Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Indonesia, with matches taking place in Jeddah.

The playoff matches will be held between October 8 and 14, with Qatar opening their campaign against Oman on October 8 before a decisive showdown against the UAE on October 14.

The group winners will secure direct qualification to the World Cup, while the runners-up of the two groups face each other and the winner will advance to a final intercontinental playoff in November.