DUBAI: FIFA highlighted the UAE national football team’s promising position to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 36 years, following a dominant 5-0 win over Qatar.

The impressive victory occurred during the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 2026 at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi. FIFA praised the match as a breakthrough performance for Fabio Lima, who led the charge in handing Qatar its heaviest defeat since 2007.

The UAE now sits just three points behind second-placed Uzbekistan in Group A, keeping their qualification hopes alive.

Lima shared his thoughts after the game, stating, “I’m very happy to collect the three points in our home. I think we played our best match in this competition today and we need to continue at this level. If we continue like this, we will have a chance to go to the next round.”

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