Abu Dhabi witnessed a football masterclass as Fabio Lima scored four goals, leading the UAE to a resounding 5-0 victory over Qatar at Al Nahyan Stadium on Tuesday. The win strengthens the UAE's campaign to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Brazilian-born striker was unstoppable, completing a first-half hat trick before netting his fourth in the 56th minute. Yahya Al Ghassani added the fifth goal in the 73rd minute, sealing a dominant performance by "The Whites."
This marks the UAE’s second consecutive win in the qualifiers, following their 3-0 triumph over Kyrgyzstan on November 14. With 10 points from six matches, the UAE remain third in Group A, trailing leaders Iran (16 points) and second-placed Uzbekistan (13 points).
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to feature 48 teams, allocates eight direct slots to Asia. The third round of Asian qualifiers involves 18 teams divided into three groups of six. The top two teams from each group earn direct qualification, while third and fourth-placed teams advance to a fourth-round playoff.
In the fourth round, six teams will be divided into two groups of three. Group winners will secure the last two direct slots, while runners-up will face off for a chance to enter an inter-confederation playoff.
The UAE's Group A includes Qatar, Iran, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and North Korea. The emphatic win over Qatar not only boosts morale but also solidifies the UAE's position in a tightly contested group. Remaining matches will be critical as the UAE aims to end their World Cup drought, having last qualified in 1990.
Group B features South Korea, Iraq, Jordan, Oman, Palestine and Kuwait, while Group C includes powerhouses like Australia, Japan, and Saudi Arabia. The fierce competition across all groups underlines the challenge of securing one of Asia's coveted eight direct World Cup berths.
For the UAE, Tuesday’s dominant display is a step forward, but the journey to North America remains long and demanding. With Fabio Lima in top form, the team’s hopes of returning to football’s grandest stage are alive and well.