'We shouldn't have lost': UAE fans unite in support despite heartbreaking Qatar defeat
The final whistle at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium sounded quicker than expected and even the broadcasting directors had not anticipated the rapid whistle. As Qatar erupted in celebration of a 2-1 win to book their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, supporters in the UAE were left digesting a painful result after a night of extraordinary national unity and support throughout the Emirates.
From packed shopping malls to cinemas across the country, the UAE came together in numbers not seen before for a World Cup qualifier. Cinema City and VOX Cinemas, along with cafes, public parks and restaurants opened their doors in all emirates for public screenings, with cinemas and restaurants packed with all ages —families, students and elders who could recall the national team’s appearance in the 1990s World Cup —and across Abu Dhabi and Dubai, an entire country came to dream.
“Tonight showed us the meaning of football and how we all unite behind the whites,” Hamad Alshehhi said. “To see our grandparents sitting with us and shouting, coming from the office, my younger brothers coming straight from school, everyone behind our team. That spirit and feeling will not go away with this sad result.”
While the UAE lost 2-1, with Qatar’s Boualem Khoukhi and Ró-Ró on the scoresheet before Sultan Adil Alamiri’s late strike, UAE fans made clear that the dream was not over. The young team still has a way to the World Cup, though the path is a harder one now.
“The 35-year wait will continue but it’s not over, it’s longer,” Yousef AlNaqbi said. “Our team is young and full of talent. Sultan’s goal showed the quality we have in this team. We have another way through the playoffs and this team will be stronger after this experience.”
Fans were left to debate officials’ calls and match management after a lengthy Qatari goalless win. On X, many pointed to a series of flashpoints during the 105-minute match.
“Look what the referees let happen to us, an open way to waste time and with many fouls and dives that were not penalized,” one fan, O.A., wrote. “We should not have lost this match.”
Abdalla Alkaddeed Almehrzi posted a photo that combined sadness with a smile: “Clearly, there was no ‘arbitration justice’ and so the Qatar national team won … The UAE national team did not appear as we expected, but there were circumstances beyond their control so Qatar won. The dream of the homeland has not ended, and every delay has some good in it. Congratulations to our Qatari brothers.”
Fans also pointed to several key moments, including an early UAE corner that was waved off, the inconsistent awarding of fouls and “minimal stoppage time despite long breaks” in play.
In the wake of the loss, though, some UAE fans also found themselves looking across the Gulf for a show of sportsmanship. “Football unites us, even when we’re competing with each other,” Omar Hashemi said. “Our Qatari neighbors won the match tonight, and they deserve our respect for it. But this rivalry is also good for both countries, and we’ll see each other again soon enough.”
As thousands poured out of cinemas where the match was screened and families switched off televisions across the Emirates, the consensus was remarkably uniform: heartbreak, of course, but not desperation. Pride in the effort, confidence in the ability, and belief that the 35-year wait will come to an end.
“This team gave their all tonight, and they will give their all again when the playoff comes,” Yousef AlNaqbi said. “The dream isn’t over. It’s just taking the long road home.”
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