Ivankovic said with additional slots available for Asia with the expansion of the global showcase to 48 teams, Oman must aim for direct qualification.

 

“We have two major assignments ahead – the joint qualification for the World Cup (2026) and Asian Cup (2027) and the Asian Cup (2023) in Qatar.

 

“With the expansion of the FIFA World Cup 2026 to 48 teams and eight teams from Asia eligible for direct spots, our goal is to secure one of the direct slots," said Brankovic to local media after naming a training squad for international friendlies against Palestine (September 7) and the United States (September 12). 

Oman, who advanced to the third round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, will start their 2026 campaign in Round 2 of the Preliminary Joint Qualification in November.

 

They were drawn in Group D with Kyrgyz Republic, Malaysia and the winners of Chinese Taipei-Timor Leste Round 1 tie.

 

Missing from the Oman squad named for the friendlies against Palestine and the United States was defender Mohammed al Musalami but Ivankovic said there have been discussions with the former captain about making a return. 

 

“We have contacted him and he has asked some more time to rethink on his decision of retirement. He is a valuable players and a leader and it would be good to have him back in the team soon.”

The Preliminary Joint Qualification kicks off with Round 1, which will be played on October 12 and 17, with the  10 winning sides joining 26 teams in the second stage, which will be divided into nine groups. 

 

Besides sealing AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 qualification, the nine group winners and runners-up from Round 2 will advance to the third round of FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying. 

 

The draw for the third round will be conducted in 2024, where the 18 teams will be divided into three groups of six; the top two from each group will qualify directly for the FIFA World Cup 2026. The other two direct AFC entrants will be determined in the fourth round of qualifying, with one more possible berth available via an Intercontinental Playoff.
 

The other 18 teams from Round 2 will proceed directly to the third and final round of AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 qualifying.