The UAE is set to launch its pivotal Asian qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup, aiming to break a 30-year absence from the tournament, starting with a match against Qatar on Thursday. Asia holds eight guaranteed spots in the upcoming 48-team FIFA World Cup. The third round of Asian qualifiers has divided 18 teams into three groups of six each. The UAE finds itself in Group A alongside Qatar, Iran, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and North Korea. Group B includes South Korea, Iraq, Jordan, Oman, Palestine, and Kuwait, while Group C consists of Australia, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, China, and Indonesia. The top two teams from each group will secure direct entry to the World Cup, with the third and fourth-placed teams progressing to a fourth round of qualifiers involving six teams, split into two groups of three. The winners of these groups will claim the final two direct spots, and the runners-up will engage in a playoff. The Asian playoff winner will then compete in an inter-confederation playoff for the last two World Cup slots. After narrowly missing out on the 2022 World Cup, losing to Australia in a playoff, the UAE is determined to finish in the top two to secure direct qualification this time. A strong start against two-time Asian champions Qatar in Doha is crucial. Despite not having defeated Qatar since their 2015 Asian Cup victory, coach Paulo Bento remains confident in his team's capabilities. The UAE's next match will be against Iran at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium on September 10. Meanwhile, Qatar, fresh from their 2023 Asian Cup win and an 11-match unbeaten streak, is poised to continue their success. Key players Akram Afif and Almoez Ali are set to return, bolstering Qatar's bid to qualify on merit after their 2022 hosting debut.