The first side to advance to the 2026 World Cup – other than hosts United States, Canada and Mexico – was decided on Thursday.
Although Japan’s progress to the main event has been serene, the UAE and Saudi Arabia continue to tread a potted path in their qualifying campaigns.
Misfiring UAE
The changes in the fabric of the UAE team have been so dramatic in recent times, that if success does not immediately follow, criticism is inevitable.
The national team gave debuts to two more naturalised Brazilians against Iran in Tehran. Caio Lucas, the free-scoring Sharjah forward, and Lucas Pimenta, the centre-back, are the latest recruits to the big transformation of the national team.
Expecting them both to be up to speed immediately is harsh, but both looked lost at times in a side which misfired when something spectacular was required.
Gaps frequently appeared in the new five-man backline, in which Pimenta was centrally placed. And, as the man furthest forward, Lucas was often left isolated in attack.
The UAE fell a long way short of what was required, and the 2-0 loss could be terminal for their hopes of an automatic top two qualifying berth from this round of Asian qualifying.
With three matches to play, they are nine points behind Iran, and six behind second-placed Uzbekistan, who they host in June. They will need a vast improvement when they face North Korea in Riyadh on Tuesday.
Dynamic Al Dawsari
Saudi Arabia have some momentous challenges ahead in the three group stage fixtures that remain. They face undefeated Japan on Tuesday, and – either side of a game against Bahrain – host Australia on the final match day in June, in what seems likely to be the decisive fixture.
They are still within touching distance of an automatic place thanks to their talisman, Salem Al Dawsari. His goal gave them a 1-0 win over China in Riyadh, which maintains their place in third in the group, a point behind Australia.
The fact Al Dawsari came up with the goods when required was no surprise, but the encounter with China was far from plain sailing.
The home players were visibly upset by a head injury suffered by Ali Lajami, their defender. He was booted in the forehead by Lin Liangming while ducking down to head clear, and was treated on the field for the best part of 10 minutes before being stretchered off.
Liangming was sent off, and the home team regained their poise, with Al Dawsari providing the decisive strike in the second half.
Tough baptism for Kluivert
If the UAE are transitioning to a side with more overseas-born players than has been traditional, then they are not the only ones.
The face of the Indonesian side has also been entirely altered. Their squad for this qualifying window includes more players who were born in Europe than in Indonesia – the majority of whom are from the Netherlands.
If the fact there were so many people of Indonesia-origin in the Netherlands was news to the uninitiated, then probably so, too, was the fact there are so many in Australia.
The stands in Sydney were awash with the red shirts of Indonesia’s national team, and optimism abounded ahead of their game against Australia.
Dutchman Jordi Cruyff is technical advisor to the Indonesian FA, and former Netherlands striker Patrick Kluivert was overseeing his first game in charge. The power of celebrity counted for nothing, though, as they were thrashed 5-1.
Japan sail on
Gianni Infantino, the Fifa president, was poised and ready to get his comms team to press send on the congratulations message to the first side to make it to the World Cup.
On Thursday afternoon, Japan booked their place, alongside hosts United States, Canada and Mexico, when they beat Bahrain 2-0.
“Omedetou [congratulations], Japan, for being the first country to qualify for the Fifa World Cup 26 in addition to the host countries: Canada, Mexico and the United States of America,” Infantino said.
“You deserve this qualification. We all remember the emotions of the last World Cup in Qatar, the emotions that you gave to the entire world in a thrilling qualifying stage, passing the group stage. And we all remember you, as well, as a brilliant co-host of the 2002 Fifa World Cup. See you in North America in 2026.”
Daichi Kamada, the Japan forward, put it in rather less robotic terms. “We know this isn’t normal and we had a lot of trouble qualifying last time,” Kamada said. “We’re relieved and happy.”
Iraq stay in touch
While Japan are World Cup finals regulars, not everyone enjoys such regular passage to the big show.
Iraq have been to the World Cup once before, back in 1986. They had seemed well set for the second qualifying place in their group, behind leaders South Korea, until they fell two goals behind against Kuwait in Basra.
They fought back to force a 2-2 draw with thrilling stoppage time goals from Akam Hashim and Ibrahim Bayesh.
Two dropped points means they dropped behind Jordan on goal difference into third place, but with three games left there is everything to play for.
Get Out
Director: Jordan Peele
Stars: Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Catherine Keener, Bradley Whitford
Four stars
LILO & STITCH
Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Rating: 4.5/5
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
Meydan racecard:
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 (PA) Group 1 | US$75,000 (Dirt) | 2,200 metres
7.05pm: UAE 1000 Guineas (TB) Listed | $250,000 (D) | 1,600m
7.40pm: Meydan Classic Trial (TB) Conditions | $100,000 (Turf) | 1,400m
8.15pm: Al Shindagha Sprint (TB) Group 3 | $200,000 (D) | 1,200m
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (D) | 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (T) | 2,000m
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GAC GS8 Specs
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PROFILE OF INVYGO
Started: 2018
Founders: Eslam Hussein and Pulkit Ganjoo
Based: Dubai
Sector: Transport
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Investment: $1,275,000
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- The 17th Century Agra Colonnade, from the bathhouse of the fort of Agra in India
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- Torrijos Palace dome
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Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
The specs: 2018 Nissan Patrol Nismo
Price: base / as tested: Dh382,000
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