Kuala lumpur: Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president Shaikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa congratulated the Saudi and Qatari national teams on qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be held next year in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Shaikh Salman highlighted the significant achievement as a testament to the efforts of both nations in strengthening their football infrastructure and competitive edge.

According to Saudi Press Agency, Shaikh Salman stated that the qualification of both teams showcases the prominent position of Saudi and Qatari football in the Asian region. He emphasized that these achievements are a result of the diligent work by the Saudi and Qatari football federations in establishing strong foundations that have facilitated their path to the world’s most prestigious football tournament.

Shaikh Salman underlined that the success stems from the commitment and hard work of the players, technical staff, and administrative teams throughout the qualifiers. He expressed his confidence that both national teams will honorably represent the Asian continent at the World Cup, alongside other qualified Asian teams.

The AFC president also stressed the importance of thorough preparation for the upcoming global competition to ensure strong performances that reflect the growing stature of Asian football and reinforce its previous accomplishments on the world stage.

Additionally, Shaikh Salman extended his congratulations to the Iraqi and UAE national teams for advancing to the knockout stage of the Asian play-offs. He praised their technical performances during the qualifiers and wished them success in their pursuit of World Cup qualification.