In a decisive clash in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, Qatar triumphed over North Korea with a commanding 5-1 victory on March 20, 2025, at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha. This victory not only brightens Qatar's hopes for qualification but also provided a much-needed boost in morale for the team and its supporters.
The match got off to an electrifying start as Akram Afif, Qatar's captain, quickly made his mark by netting the first goal in the 17th minute. He capitalized on a corner taken by Mostafa Meshaal, striking the ball with precision to give his team an early lead. Showing his versatility, Afif followed up his goal with three assists throughout the match, solidifying his position as a key player for the team.
Just six minutes after Afif's opening goal, Ahmed Al Ganehi doubled the lead in the 23rd minute, receiving a brilliant through pass from Afif. Qatar's momentum continued, and in the 34th minute, North Korea's Kim Yu-Song gave Qatar a further advantage by scoring an own goal, extending the lead to 3-0 before halftime.
In the second half, the home team maintained their dominance with Ahmed Al Rawi scoring in the 56th minute, again assisted by Afif, who was proving to be everywhere on the pitch. Excitement peaked when newly substituted Ahmed Alaa netted the fifth goal just four minutes after entering the game in the 62nd minute, sealing a comfortable victory for Qatar.
North Korea managed to salvage some pride when Pak Kwang-Hun scored a consolation goal in the 86th minute, but it was too little, too late for the visitors who struggled to find their footing throughout the match. Their performance left them at the bottom of their group, while Qatar moved up to 10 points, tying them with the United Arab Emirates.
Before the match, Qatar's coach Luis Garcia expressed the need for a robust performance, stating, "We are ready for this important match. It will not be an easy challenge against North Korea, and the players are required to give their maximum effort." His commitment was echoed by players like defender Homam Al-Amin, who emphasized the importance of securing three points at home.
With the victory, Qatar now faces Kyrgyzstan in an upcoming away game on March 25, 2025. Garcia will undoubtedly hope to build on this momentum as they aim not just for a spot in the World Cup, but for a strong finish in the qualifiers to secure at least a playoff position.
In Group A, Iran leads with 19 points, followed by Uzbekistan with 16 points. Qatar's performance against North Korea is critical as teams strive for the top two spots, which provide direct qualification to the World Cup set for 2026 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Additionally, the match reflects a growing rivalry between the two teams, with Qatar looking to repeat their past successes against North Korea, who previously held Qatar to a 2-2 draw in September 2024.
Overall, this decisive win at home not only boosts Qatar's chances of moving forward but also presents an opportunity for players like Akram Afif to cement their legacies as key figures in Qatar's football narrative as they seek greater recognition on the international stage.
