Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers match.
In the final round of the third stage of World Cup qualification, Uzbekistan will take on Qatar. Both teams have already secured progression to the next stage, but a win in this final fixture could still enhance their position in the standings, providing sufficient motivation for both squads.
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan typically adopt a pragmatic style of play, though they are capable of switching to a more open approach when the opposition dictates the tempo. A prime example was the 2:2 draw with Iran, where the two sides combined for 33 shots and 3.6 xG. Importantly, Abbosbek Fayzullayev (4+1), the squad’s key player, is back in the squad for this round. He only appeared as a substitute against United Arab Emirates due to fatigue following his participation in the Russian Super Cup.
Qatar
Qatar have arguably been the most entertaining outfit of this qualifying campaign. Over the course of nine matches, they’ve averaged 1.9 goals scored and 2.3 conceded per game. Despite only scoring once in their most recent match — a 1:0 win over group leaders Iran — that result came under challenging circumstances. While it might seem that Qatar successfully nullified a stronger opponent, the context is essential: they were down to ten men from the 31st minute.
Uzbekistan vs Qatar Prediction
In the reverse fixture, the teams shared five goals, which reflected their attacking mindsets. With little on the line in this encounter, neither side is expected to adopt a cautious approach. As a result, another high-scoring contest appears likely.
