MUSCAT: Oman’s national football team is in best shape to take on Somalia on Wednesday in a decisive Fifa Arab Cup Qatar 2025 qualifier. The match will kick off at 5 pm (Oman time) at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha. A victory will secure Oman a place in the prestigious group stage of the regional tournament which will be staged in Doha during December 1 to 18.
It is a critical encounter as it will be as a 'key gateway' for Oman to enter the main competition. Since arriving in Doha on Sunday night, the national team resumed training as they had conducted two intensive sessions in Lusail Sports Club focused on tactical execution, defensive structure and attacking transitions. Queiroz and his technical staff placed particular attention on boosting the squad’s cohesion and efficiency in the final third, ensuring the team is fully equipped to deliver a strong performance.
The Red Warriors will enter the qualifier after a productive domestic camp and two recent friendly matches including a 2-0 win over Sudan followed by a 2-0 defeat to Ivory coast. Both matches provided Queiroz with valuable insights to refine the squad and finalise preparations for the Arab Cup challenge.
Somalia, despite being ranked 200th in the latest Fifa World Ranking, arrived with renewed confidence and noticeable improvement. Under national coach Yusuf Ali Noor, a former international player who took charge in March 2025, Somalia recently secured back-to-back wins against Bahrain as they made their first international victories in six years. The team has undergone significant tactical restructuring, with Noor introducing new faces and a more organised style of play.
Their current Arab Cup squad featured a mix of domestic players, unattached talents and professionals from abroad, making them a determined opponent not to be taken lightly.
Wednesday’s qualifier is part of a packed schedule in Doha, with six other matches taking place across different venues. All the teams will strive to secure places in the group stage of the Fifa Arab Cup. Kuwait meet Mauritania, Syria face South Sudan, Palestine take on Libya, Bahrain play Djibouti, Lebanon meet Sudan, and Yemen clash with Comoros. Winners from these fixtures will join the already-seeded nations in the main tournament kicking off on December 1.
For Oman, a triumph over Somalia would place them in a challenging group alongside Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and the winner of Yemen vs Comoros, setting the stage for high-level competition in Doha.
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