FIFA's Disciplinary Committee has decided to suspend the UAE national team supervisor, Matar Al-Suhbani, for 16 matches and fine him 10,000 Swiss francs for unsportsmanlike conduct towards an opponent and assaulting a referee. This incident occurred after the 'Al-Abyad' (UAE) vs. 'Al-Anabi' (Qatar) match in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, which ended with a 2-1 victory for 'Al-Anabi', securing their second-ever World Cup qualification. FIFA also suspended Qatar's player, Tariq Salman, for two official matches and fined him 5,000 Swiss francs for his red card in that match due to dangerous play. Additionally, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation was fined 11,500 Swiss francs for violating Articles 17 and 17.5 (Order and Security at Matches), specifically for setting off flares or other materials during their match against Iraq. That match ended in a goalless draw and saw 'Al-Akhdar' (Saudi Arabia) qualify for the World Cup. The UAE team is now preparing for two-legged playoff matches against Iraq, to be held in Abu Dhabi and Basra, in a fight for a spot in the intercontinental playoff.
