• The UAE's Harib Abdallah celebrates scoring the only goal of the game against South Korea in the World Cup qualifier at Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai, on Tuesday, March 29, 2022. AFP
    The UAE's Harib Abdallah celebrates scoring the only goal of the game against South Korea in the World Cup qualifier at Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai, on Tuesday, March 29, 2022. AFP
  • UAE goalkeeper Khalid Eisa celebrates after the match. Reuters
    UAE goalkeeper Khalid Eisa celebrates after the match. Reuters
  • UAE players celebrate after the match. Reuters
    UAE players celebrate after the match. Reuters
  • South Korea attacker Son Heung-min goes down under a challenge from Caio Canedo. Reuters
    South Korea attacker Son Heung-min goes down under a challenge from Caio Canedo. Reuters
  • UAE match-winner Harib Abdallah and South Korea's Nam Tae-Hee challenge for a header. Getty
    UAE match-winner Harib Abdallah and South Korea's Nam Tae-Hee challenge for a header. Getty
  • UAE manager Rodolfo Arruabarrena. EPA
    UAE manager Rodolfo Arruabarrena. EPA
  • UAE's Caio Canedo on the attack. Getty
    UAE's Caio Canedo on the attack. Getty
  • Action during the game at Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai. Getty
    Action during the game at Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai. Getty
  • UAE goalkeeper Khalid Eisa makes a save. EPA
    UAE goalkeeper Khalid Eisa makes a save. EPA
  • UAE's Mohammed Al Baloushi battles for the ball with South Korea forward Son Heung-min. AFP
    UAE's Mohammed Al Baloushi battles for the ball with South Korea forward Son Heung-min. AFP
  • UAE defend a free-kick. Reuters
    UAE defend a free-kick. Reuters
  • UAE's Harib Abdallah celebrates scoring the winning goal. AFP
    UAE's Harib Abdallah celebrates scoring the winning goal. AFP
  • UAE's Abdulaziz Hussain. Getty
    UAE's Abdulaziz Hussain. Getty
  • UAE manager Rodolfo Arruabarrena. EPA
    UAE manager Rodolfo Arruabarrena. EPA
  • South Korea's Son Heung-min holds off the challenge of Majed Hassan of the UAE. Reuters
    South Korea's Son Heung-min holds off the challenge of Majed Hassan of the UAE. Reuters
  • UAE attacker Caio Canedo fouls South Korea goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo. AP
    UAE attacker Caio Canedo fouls South Korea goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo. AP
  • UAE's Harib Abdallah celebrates with teammates after scoring. Reuters
    UAE's Harib Abdallah celebrates with teammates after scoring. Reuters
  • South Korea attacker Son Heung-min. EPA
    South Korea attacker Son Heung-min. EPA
  • Kim Min-jae of South Korea and UAE's Caio Canedo battle for the ball. EPA
    Kim Min-jae of South Korea and UAE's Caio Canedo battle for the ball. EPA
  • South Korea's Hee-Chan Hwang battles for possession with Mohammed Al Baloushi of the UAE. Reuters
    South Korea's Hee-Chan Hwang battles for possession with Mohammed Al Baloushi of the UAE. Reuters
  • South Korea's Kim Jin-su kicks the ball under pressure from Abdulaziz Hussain of the UAE. Reuters
    South Korea's Kim Jin-su kicks the ball under pressure from Abdulaziz Hussain of the UAE. Reuters
  • South Korea's Hwang Hee-chan on the ball against the UAE. Reuters
    South Korea's Hwang Hee-chan on the ball against the UAE. Reuters
  • UAE fans at Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai. Reuters
    UAE fans at Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai. Reuters
  • The UAE team before the match in Dubai. AFP
    The UAE team before the match in Dubai. AFP

When is the Qatar World Cup 2022 draw and who are UAE's potential opponents?


Paul Radley
  • English
  • Arabic

The draw for the World Cup takes place at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre at 8pm UAE time on Friday, April 1.

The UAE will be part of the draw, even though they remain two matches away from securing qualification for the competition.

After finishing third in their third round group in Asian qualifying, they face a play-off against Australia in Qatar on June 7.

Win that and they would go up against Peru, who finished fifth in South American qualifying, in a last-chance eliminator on June 13 or 14.

The national team are playing for one of just three spots which are as yet unconfirmed for the tournament, with 29 of the 32 qualifiers already sorted.

England seal World Cup spot

  • England coach Gareth Southgate, right, greets England's Harry Kane as he is substituted during the World Cup 2022 Group I qualifier against San Marino at Olympic Stadium, in Serravalle, San Marino, Monday, November 15, 2021. AP Photo
    England coach Gareth Southgate, right, greets England's Harry Kane as he is substituted during the World Cup 2022 Group I qualifier against San Marino at Olympic Stadium, in Serravalle, San Marino, Monday, November 15, 2021. AP Photo
  • England's Harry Kane runs with the ball. AP Photo
    England's Harry Kane runs with the ball. AP Photo
  • England's Harry Kane scores his side's sixth goal in a 10-0 win over San Marino. AP Photo
    England's Harry Kane scores his side's sixth goal in a 10-0 win over San Marino. AP Photo
  • England's Harry Kane celebrates after scoring his side's fifth goal. AP Photo
    England's Harry Kane celebrates after scoring his side's fifth goal. AP Photo
  • England's Harry Kane scores his side's fifth goal from the penalty spot. Kane's four first-half goals took him to 48 international goals for England. AP Photo
    England's Harry Kane scores his side's fifth goal from the penalty spot. Kane's four first-half goals took him to 48 international goals for England. AP Photo
  • England forward Harry Kane and San Marino's midfielder Enrico Golinucci go for the ball. AFP
    England forward Harry Kane and San Marino's midfielder Enrico Golinucci go for the ball. AFP
  • England's Harry Kane celebrates his four goals with the match ball after the final whistle. PA
    England's Harry Kane celebrates his four goals with the match ball after the final whistle. PA
  • England forward Harry Kane celebrates with Bukayo Saka after scoring. AFP
    England forward Harry Kane celebrates with Bukayo Saka after scoring. AFP
  • England's Harry Kane scores their third goal from the penalty spot. Reuters
    England's Harry Kane scores their third goal from the penalty spot. Reuters
  • England's Harry Kane with the match ball at half time after scoring four goals. Reuters
    England's Harry Kane with the match ball at half time after scoring four goals. Reuters
  • England's Harry Kane celebrates scoring their fifth goal with Harry Maguire. Reuters
    England's Harry Kane celebrates scoring their fifth goal with Harry Maguire. Reuters

World Cup 2022 draw

The teams will be placed in four pots based on their position in the Fifa rankings – except for the hosts. Qatar will take position A1 in Pot 1.

There will be eight groups of four teams. In the draw, only European teams – who will account for 13 of the 32 qualified teams – can be drawn together, with a maximum of two per group.

All teams from other regional confederations cannot be drawn together. So, for example, UAE – should they make it through – can't be drawn in a group with South Korea, who they played in the final game of the third qualifying round on Tuesday.

Pot 1: Qatar, Brazil, Belgium, France, Argentina, England, Spain, Portugal

Pot 2: Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Mexico, Switzerland, United States, Uruguay, Croatia

Pot 3: Senegal, Iran, Japan, Morocco, Serbia, Poland, South Korea, Tunisia

Pot 4: Cameroon, Canada, Ecuador, Saudi Arabia, Ghana, Uefa play-off winner (Wales, Scotland or Ukraine), AFC v Conmebol play-off winner (UAE, Australia or Peru), Costa Rica v New Zealand play-off winner

Who might UAE face?

If the national team do successfully navigate the remaining playoff fixtures, the sternest test which could await them in group play might potentially be a pool made up of Brazil, Germany and Senegal.

Recent form would suggest a more manageable group could include Portugal, who required a last-chance playoff win over North Macedonia to make it through, United States and Tunisia.

How to watch the draw

It will be broadcast live on Fifa’s website, as well as on its social media accounts, from 8pm UAE time on Friday, April 1.

Tickets

Over 800,000 tickets were sold in the first sales period for the World Cup. The top 10 countries of residence to purchase tickets were Qatar, the United States, England, Mexico, the UAE, Germany, India, Brazil, Argentina, and Saudi Arabia.

The next selection period will go live on Tuesday, April 5, at 1pm UAE time, at FIFA.com/tickets.

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Following fashion

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Losing your balance

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Being over active

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Running your losers

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Selling in a panic

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Timing the market

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The biog

Favourite book: You Are the Placebo – Making your mind matter, by Dr Joe Dispenza

Hobby: Running and watching Welsh rugby

Travel destination: Cyprus in the summer

Life goals: To be an aspirational and passionate University educator, enjoy life, be healthy and be the best dad possible.

Updated: March 31, 2022, 10:22 AM