Passionate Fans Brave 7+ Hour Road Trip to Support National Team in Doha

UAE football fans are traveling by car to Doha in massive numbers to support their national team in crucial World Cup 2026 qualifying matches against Oman and Qatar. The journey takes just 7-8 hours by road, and fans describe the experience as a unique patriotic adventure filled with excitement and national pride as the UAE edges closer to their first World Cup qualification in decades.

The road trip from UAE to Qatar has become surprisingly smooth for supporters. Border crossings between UAE-Saudi Arabia and Qatar-Saudi Arabia are processing fans quickly, making the overland journey an attractive option compared to flights.

Harith Al Manhali, president of Bani Yas club's fan association, hasn't missed a national team match in over 40 years. He's leading more than 50 supporters from his club alone to Qatar. "Qatar doesn't need planes - the distance is very close, and the journey takes five to seven hours by car," Al Manhali said.

The streets of Doha are already filling with UAE flags and supporters' cars from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Al Ain. Al Manhali noted that border procedures were straightforward and the roads were excellent, making the trip comfortable for everyone.

For many fans, this feels different from previous tournaments. The UAE will face Oman on October 11 and Qatar on October 14 in the Asian playoff round. Success in these matches would secure the country's first-ever World Cup appearance.

Bader Darwish, traveling abroad with the national team for the first time, described the experience as filled with enthusiasm and beautiful memories. He's part of a large group of friends who decided to travel together, saying they feel like one family representing the nation.

The fans are also participating in a special event at Souq Waqif on Friday, featuring the raising of the largest UAE flag in a celebratory march to show support for the team.

Abdulrahman Mohammed took special leave from work to make the journey. He's traveled to support the UAE in previous tournaments like the Asian Cup and Arab Cup in Qatar, but says this time feels completely different. "For the first time, I feel real optimism, and I expect the team to perform strongly and achieve our dream of reaching the World Cup."

The atmosphere among traveling fans is electric, with national songs filling their cars during the journey and UAE flags visible throughout Doha's streets. Tickets are readily available, and the UAE government has provided extensive support and travel facilitation for supporters.

This grassroots fan movement reflects the growing confidence around the UAE national team's chances. The team features several standout players, and supporters believe this could finally be their moment to break through to football's biggest stage.