DUBAI: A dream delayed or never destined to materialize? Such thoughts are flooding through disconsolate UAE minds after Tuesday night’s 2-1 World Cup qualifying defeat at Qatar’s charged Jassim bin Hamad Stadium. The foremost concern is how to psychologically manage a further series of exacting playoffs — beginning with next month’s doubleheader with Iraq. And, if they advance, concluding with March’s intercontinental dates. This week, a return to the globe’s biggest sporting stage for the first time since 1990 was just one game away.

DOHA: Qatar qualified for the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday after they saw off the United Arab Emirates 2-1 in Doha. The 2022 World Cup hosts, who did not make it out of the group…

DUBAI: A dream delayed or never destined to materialize? Such thoughts are flooding through disconsolate UAE minds after Tuesday night’s 2-1 World Cup qualifying defeat at Qatar’s…