The UAE is set to launch its pivotal Asian qualifying journey for the 2026 World Cup, aiming to break a 30-year drought without a World Cup appearance, starting with a match against Qatar on Thursday. Asia holds eight guaranteed spots in the upcoming 48-team FIFA World Cup. In the third round of Asian qualifiers, 18 teams are split into three groups of six. 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 advancing to a fourth round of qualifiers involving six teams, divided into two groups of three. The winners of these groups will claim the final two direct spots, and the runners-up will face off in a playoff. The Asian playoff winner will then compete in an inter-confederation playoff for the last two World Cup slots. After narrowly failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, losing to Australia in a playoff, the UAE is determined to finish in the top two 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 is confident in his team's ability to end this drought. The UAE's next match is against Iran on September 10 at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain. Meanwhile, Qatar, fresh from their 2023 Asian Cup win and an 11-match unbeaten streak, is eager to qualify on merit after hosting the 2022 World Cup. Key players Akram Afif and Almoez Ali, who were rested for the last two second-round matches, are set to return, bolstering Qatar's confidence as they prepare to face the UAE.