UAE's route to the World Cup now set

AFP

Any hope of the UAE securing an automatic World Cup spot in Qatar this November was finally extinguished on Tuesday evening with a 1-0 defeat away against Iran.

That loss and South Korea's 2-0 victory against Syria means the UAE will have to face a series of play-offs if they are to reach the finals for the first time since 1990.

With Lebanon lurking 3 points behind the Whites in 4th spot in Group A, the team know what they need to do in the last two matches of group qualification next month. 

They'll be eyeing a win in the first fixture away against Iraq - they then finish off with a home tie against the South Koreans. 

More from Sports

  • Neymar nets first goal since Santos return

    Neymar scored for the first time in 16 months after his penalty set Santos on the way to a 3-1 win over Agua Santa in the Paulista Championship on Sunday and the Brazil forward said he was happy to be playing again after a long injury absence.

  • H.H. Sheikh Mohammed attends Al Salam Cycling Championship

    His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai, attended the fourth stage of the Al Salam Cycling Championship, which took place on Sunday at Al Marmoom Conservation Reserve.

  • Man Utd 'can't run away' says boss Amorim after Spurs loss

    Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim insists there is no running away from the club's plight after they suffered a 1-0 loss at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, their 12th defeat in 25 Premier League games this season.

  • UAE to host FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Trophy Tour

    The UAE is the first stop on the Asian leg of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Trophy Tour with a visit scheduled for February 22-24.

  • Raducanu puts on dominant display in Dubai

    British debutant Emma Raducanu got her Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships campaign off to the perfect start, defeating former World Number 3 Maria Sakkari 6-4, 6-2 under the lights on Centre Court.