Thousands of UAE fans head to Doha for crucial World Cup qualifier

Thousands of UAE fans have travelled to Doha to cheer the national team in their crucial World Cup qualifier against Oman on Saturday.

The match at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium will kick off at 9:15pm.

Videos on social media showed fans waving UAE flags and singing patriotic songs on the streets of Doha's Souq Waqif and nearby areas on Friday night. 

Five chartered flights were allocated to fly fans to Doha as part of the UAE football association's Dream of a Nation campaign.

سوق واقف برعاية جماهير الأبيض الإماراتي ❤️#منتخب_الإمارات #حلم_وطن pic.twitter.com/66uwzEJCca

— UAE NT منتخب الإمارات (@UAEFNT) October 10, 2025

A win in Doha would boost their chances of advancing to the next playoff round.

They will next face Qatar on October 14.

The UAE last played at the World Cup in 1990.

The top team from each of the two playoff groups will qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup, while the runners-up will advance to an intercontinental playoff for the final Asian spot.