The World Cup qualifiers in the Middle East and North Africa are almost at their final day, and there is a real chance for a record number of Arab national teams to make it to Qatar.
Asia
The latest round of Asian World Cup qualifying action took place on Thursday.
Saudi Arabia booked their place in Qatar after a 1-1 draw with China, making it to their sixth World Cup. A big celebration will likely take place in their last game, against Australia, in Jeddah on Tuesday.
Syria hammered Lebanon 3-0 in Saida, practically ending the Lebanese dream of a play-off spot, although on paper the Cedars still have a slight chance.
Meanwhile Iraq has made a huge step towards a potential surprise play-off spot. Despite being stripped of the hosting rights for their game against the UAE, and traveling to play it in Saudi Arabia, Iraq won the tie 1-0. Coupled with Lebanon’s loss - it’s mixed up the whole group.
If the UAE fail to beat South Korea, who look on track for their best World Cup qualifiers ever, and Iraq win against Syria - Iraq will play Australia in the Asian playoffs in Qatar in June. There will be plenty of Iraqis supporting their national team there. Australia themselves are not in good shape, and they aren’t enjoying a quality generation. The winner of the Asian playoff would face the fifth place side from South America - Peru, Chile or Colombia - who are also out of form. It’s not likely, but the path for the perfect Cinderella story is there. On a personal level, I wish Iraq the best of luck, because the Iraqi people deserve to celebrate and be proud for once - and there is nothing like the World Cup qualifiers for a chance to show it.
Africa
Friday night saw eight North African nations playing their first legs in the final round of African World Cup qualifiers.
Morocco gained a precious 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo in Kinshasa. Algeria won 1-0 against Cameroon in Douala, looking confident and far more organized than what we saw from the Algerians at AFCON 2021. Tunisia won 1-0 away against Mali, with Moussa Sisasko scoring an own goal and getting a red card, paving a clear path to the World Cup for the Tunisians.
The main event, though, was Egypt’s win over Senegal, to a packed crowd at the Cairo International Stadium. The game ended 1-0, thanks to an own goal from Saliou Ciss, after Mohammed Salah hit crossbar. The second leg, in a new stadium in Dakar, will be both crucial and difficult for the Egyptians.
All in all, we have a rare chance to see seven Arab nations in the World Cup finals - a record.
If you add Iran, who have already qualified, you’ll find eight teams from North Africa and the Middle East - a record too, and definitely something that will add to that Middle Eastern essence to the biggest football event of them all.
Edited by Alex Smith
Photo via FRMF official Twitter account.
Algerian fans in line for tickets for tomorrow’s World Cup Qualifiers playoff clash with Cameroon. It’s a big one. pic.twitter.com/e7QS5dVZWr
— Uri Levy (@Levyninho) March 28, 2022
AFCON 2023: The Ivory Coast completes an unbelievable journey to win their third Africa Cup of Nations. The tournament as a whole, more than ever, was different, dramatic, exciting and global.