MUSCAT: Oman’s national military football team secured qualification for the eighth CISM Military World Summer Games in the United States after topping the Asian qualifiers at Al Saada Sports Complex in Salalah.
The national military side sealed its place at the global event following a 1-1 draw with Qatar in the decisive final match of the qualifiers, taking its tally to four points and finishing at the top of the standings.
Oman entered the concluding encounter in a strong position after opening its campaign with an emphatic 5-0 victory over Saudi Arabia. The result gave the hosts three points and a significant advantage on goal difference ahead of their final match. Saudi Arabia later defeated Qatar 1-0, meaning a draw in the concluding fixture would be enough for Oman to secure the qualification berth.
Facing a Qatari side that needed a victory to keep its hopes alive, Oman delivered the required result in a closely contested encounter. The players maintained their composure throughout the match and successfully completed their qualifying campaign without defeat.
The 1-1 result lifted Oman to four points from two matches, while Saudi Arabia finished with three points and Qatar concluded the qualifiers with one point.
Oman’s impressive 5-0 victory in the opening match ultimately proved decisive, with the team scoring six goals across its two fixtures and conceding only once.
The qualifiers concluded in the presence of representatives from the International Military Sports Council, known as CISM, along with heads of the participating delegations.
Qualification marks another important achievement for Omani military sport and provides the team with an opportunity to compete against leading military football sides from around the world.
The eighth CISM Military World Summer Games will be staged across North Carolina and South Carolina in the United States from June 25 to July 4, 2027. The multi-sport event will be hosted in the United States for the first time and will bring together military athletes from CISM member nations.
Oman will now turn its attention to preparing for the global event, aiming to build on its successful qualifying campaign and continue the country’s distinguished record in international military football.
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