The Asian leg of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers is heating up, and controversy has already arrived before a single ball has been kicked. Six nations — Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Indonesia — are set to fight for just two coveted spots. But not everyone is pleased with how the competition is being handled.
A decision by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to award Qatar and Saudi Arabia home advantage for their mini-group matches has drawn sharp criticism from rival teams and fans alike. Many believe that the decision tilts the playing field unfairly in favor of the hosts, especially as both nations also enjoy extra rest days compared to their opponents.
Unequal Grounds: Why Qatar and Saudi Arabia Were Chosen
When the AFC announced in June 2025 that Qatar and Saudi Arabia would host the decisive qualifying rounds, it did so without revealing the criteria for the selection. The lack of transparency has fueled anger among competing nations.
Teams like Indonesia, Iraq, Oman, and the UAE had either expressed interest in hosting or requested neutral venues. Their appeals were ignored, leaving them questioning the integrity of the decision-making process.
According to insiders, there had been whispers within the football community for months that Qatar and Saudi Arabia were already the frontrunners, even before the official announcement. Yet, the AFC has remained silent, offering no public explanation or statement.
The Rest Advantage: A Scheduling Controversy
What has truly inflamed tensions is not just the venue but also the scheduling disparity. Both Qatar and Saudi Arabia have been given six days between their matches, while their opponents are forced to play their second games within just 72 hours of their first.
For example, Oman will face Qatar on Wednesday and then meet the UAE just three days later. In contrast, Qatar will have nearly a week to recover and plan their second match. The same scheduling pattern exists in the Saudi group, giving both hosts an undeniable competitive edge.
Oman’s head coach Carlos Queiroz, a seasoned tactician who has led national teams such as Portugal, South Africa, and Iran to World Cup appearances, didn’t mince words when voicing his frustration.
“It would be a miracle in this complicated situation,” Queiroz said. “We have to play at the home of one of the teams competing. They put Saudi Arabia in Saudi and Qatar in Qatar. If they can’t see that something is wrong with this, then who are the players and coaches to make comments?”
A Coach’s Challenge: Queiroz Battles Against the Odds
For Queiroz, taking over Oman in July 2025 was supposed to be a new chapter — perhaps the most challenging of his long managerial career. The 72-year-old knows what it takes to qualify for a World Cup, but the current conditions make that dream far more difficult.
He lamented the logistical hurdles his team faces: several key players are based abroad, forcing them to travel long distances right before critical matches.
“We have players in Bangkok who play on Sunday but only travel on Monday when FIFA days start. They arrive Tuesday and play Wednesday,” Queiroz explained. “I’ve been asking the chefs here how to make an omelette without eggs.”
Regional Politics and Refereeing Concerns
Beyond the scheduling and venue controversy, geopolitical undercurrents are also shaping the narrative. Indonesia’s football association has raised concerns about referee selection after learning that a Kuwaiti official would oversee their match against Saudi Arabia.
“We want a referee who is truly neutral, possibly from Europe or elsewhere, someone who has no stake in the region,” said Indonesian team official Kombes Sumardji.
Adding to the tension, Indonesia’s planned friendly against Kuwait on September 5 was reportedly canceled without explanation — a move that has further fueled suspicion about AFC’s decision-making process.
A Clash of Elite Coaches
If there’s one silver lining to this contentious qualifying stage, it’s the fascinating array of coaching talent on display. Alongside Queiroz, the tournament features several high-profile tacticians with rich football pedigrees.
- Julen Lopetegui, former Real Madrid and Spain coach, took over Qatar in May 2025, hoping to replicate the team’s 2022 success and restore national pride.
- Hervé Renard, the charismatic Frenchman who famously guided Saudi Arabia to a shock victory over Argentina in the 2022 World Cup, is back in charge of the Green Falcons.
- Patrick Kluivert, the Dutch legend, leads Indonesia, injecting youth and energy into a side that has shown flashes of potential.
- Graham Arnold, once at the helm of Australia, now coaches Iraq, bringing his trademark discipline and tactical flexibility.
This star-studded managerial lineup makes the competition even more compelling — but it also magnifies the sense of injustice among the non-host nations.
AFC’s Silence Raises Eyebrows
The AFC’s refusal to comment on the controversy has not gone unnoticed. Journalists from The Guardian and other global outlets have reached out for clarification, but as of now, the confederation remains tight-lipped.
Many within Asian football believe the governing body’s credibility is on the line. Critics argue that if the AFC continues to make unilateral decisions without transparency, it could erode trust among its member nations.
The Bigger Picture: Football and Politics Intertwined
The issue goes beyond just football logistics. For years, the relationship between Qatar and Saudi Arabia — two of Asia’s football powerhouses — has mirrored the shifting political dynamics of the Middle East.
Hosting these crucial qualifiers gives both nations a chance not only to advance in the competition but also to reinforce their soft power and sporting dominance on the continent.
However, analysts warn that such decisions risk alienating smaller nations and undermining the spirit of fair play — one of FIFA’s core principles.
The Road to 2026: Who Has the Edge?
Six Asian nations remain in contention for two remaining World Cup slots. Japan, Iran, South Korea, and Australia have already booked their places, while Uzbekistan and Jordan will make their debuts at the 2026 tournament.
For Oman, Indonesia, Iraq, and the UAE, the challenge is immense. Not only do they have to overcome strong opponents on the pitch, but they also must do so under conditions many believe are stacked against them.
Still, football is unpredictable. Oman’s Queiroz has pulled off upsets before — most notably with Iran — and remains hopeful.
“When there is a World Cup, there is always a host, and that’s fine — they pay for it, build the stadiums, and handle logistics,” he said. “But to do this in the middle of qualification, it is strange that people in charge don’t feel uncomfortable with it.”
Global Reaction and Fan Backlash
The reaction from fans across Asia has been intense. Social media platforms are flooded with criticism directed at the AFC, accusing it of favoritism and lack of transparency. Hashtags like #AFCBias and #FairPlayForAll have trended regionally, with fans calling for neutral venues in future qualifying rounds.
Former players and analysts have also joined the debate, suggesting that FIFA may need to intervene to ensure fair competition in the Asian qualifiers.
The Stakes Couldn’t Be Higher
For Saudi Arabia and Qatar, qualification would solidify their dominance in Asian football. For Oman, Indonesia, Iraq, and the UAE, failure could mean another four-year wait — and a growing sense of frustration over how continental football is governed.
Ultimately, the controversy highlights the fine line between sporting decisions and political influence. The AFC’s handling of this situation will likely be scrutinized long after the qualifiers end.
As the matches begin, one thing is clear: while football may be played on grass, the real battles often unfold behind closed doors.
Conclusion: Fair Play or Favoritism?
The 2026 World Cup qualifiers have already sparked one of the most debated controversies in Asian football history. Whether Qatar and Saudi Arabia simply benefited from logistical convenience or from political influence remains unclear.
But as Carlos Queiroz aptly put it, “Maybe the people who organised this have a different vision of football.”
For now, fans can only hope that once the whistle blows, the only thing that determines the outcome will be the beautiful game itself.