Results of the Gulf teams in the first round of the joint Asian qualifiers

The Gulf national teams’ competitions began in the second round of the joint Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup and the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.

The Qatar national team made a strong start when it defeated Afghanistan 8-1 at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, in the first round of the first Group competitions. Within the same group, Kuwait lost to India with a score of 0-1 at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait. Qatar topped the group standings with 3 points from one match, on goal difference against India, while Kuwait and Afghanistan remained devoid of points.

Within the fourth group, the Oman national team defeated its guest, Chinese Taipei, 3-0, at the Sultan Qaboos Complex Riyadh Stadium in Muscat, within the first round of the group’s competitions, so that the team topped the group standings with 3 points from one match, on goal difference against Malaysia, while Kyrgyzstan’s balance remained. China Taipei is devoid of points.

The Iraqi national team defeated its host Indonesia 5-1 at Basra International Stadium in Basra, in the first round of Group Six competitions, and the Iraqi team lead the group standings with 3 points from one match, on goal difference against Vietnam, while the balance of the Philippines and Indonesia remained devoid of points.

At the seventh group level, the Saudi national team won over its host Pakistan 4-0 at Al-Fateh Club Stadium in Al-Hofuf, in the first round of the group’s competitions, so that Saudi led the standings in the group with 3 points from one match, compared to a point for each of Jordan and Tajikistan, while Pakistan has zero points.

The UAE national team topped the Group Eight standings on goal difference over Bahrain, after the former’s victory over its host Nepal, 4-0, at Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai, in the first round of the group’s competitions, and Bahrain’s victory over Yemen, 2-0, at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium in Abha while Yemen and Nepal remained devoid of points.