Cosmin Olăroiu missed direct qualification for the World Cup. Olăroiu still has one more chance for qualification for the final tournament.

The United Arab Emirates national team, led by Cosmin Olăroiu, played a crucial match for qualification to the World Cup but was defeated by Qatar 2-1. The goals were scored by Boualem Khoukhi and Pedro Miguel for Qatar, while Sultan Adil reduced the deficit in the 90+8 minute. With this defeat, the Emirates missed direct qualification for the final tournament in 2026, but still have a chance through a playoff against Iraq, which will take place in a two-legged match on November 13 and 18.

The winner will advance to the intercontinental playoff in March 2026, where the last two spots for the final tournament will be awarded.

In the playoff will participate: the winner of the Asian playoff, the representative from Africa (Gabon, Cameroon, Nigeria, Burkina Faso or DR Congo), two teams from North and Central America, Bolivia (South America) and New Caledonia (Oceania).