Doha: Qatar is now in the final stage of preparations for their opening match of the third round of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA 2026 World Cup, facing the United Arab Emirates at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium. The venue, which seats 45,000, is anticipated to be at full capacity on Thursday. In just a few days since tickets went on sale, 75 percent of the seats have already been booked by fans for this highly anticipated game. The team, under the guidance of head coach Marquez Lopez, has been ramping up their training since last week. As two-time Asian champions, Qatar aims to replicate their strong performance from the second round, where they remained unbeaten and topped their group to advance in the qualifiers. To secure a direct spot in the World Cup, Qatar needs to finish in the top two of their group, which also includes Iran, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and North Korea. Their next match is against North Korea on September 10 in Laos, but the immediate focus is on the UAE clash. Organizational preparations are also well underway to ensure a high-quality match experience. QFA’s Director of Marketing and Communications, Khalid Mubarak Al Kuwari, highlighted fan engagement: “Our supporters have always made a significant impact, and there will be a special surprise for them in the stands.” Additionally, the QFA has launched a fan initiative to boost support as Qatar pursues their World Cup qualification journey