Muscat: The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, in collaboration with the Oman Football Association, has initiated a campaign titled "We are all with you" to bolster support for the Oman national football team during its final qualifying rounds for the 2026 World Cup.
The event featured a comprehensive visual presentation detailing the national football team's journey through the qualifying stages. Additionally, a video highlighting the team's inaugural appearance in the U-17 World Cup finals, which took place in Ecuador in 1995, and their subsequent achievement of notable results that secured their qualification for the semi-finals, was showcased.
The ceremony also paid tribute to the unwavering support of Omani fans throughout the team's various tournaments.
Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Amri, the Director General of Sports Activities at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, and the Director of the campaign supporting the football team in its quest for the 2026 World Cup final qualifiers, expressed, "Our national football team's journey towards the World Cup begins early next September, as it is set to be the most prestigious and widely anticipated event in the realm of football competitions, characterized by an atmosphere of excitement, fun, and enthusiasm."
He further elaborated, "The campaign is designed to provide the necessary support to the national football team, aiming to create an optimal environment and surmount challenges by offering logistical assistance for the team's matches in Oman, ensuring the provision of top-notch facilities, and providing media coverage for the team throughout its qualifying matches in collaboration with private sector entities, government bodies, and media organizations."
Mohammed bin Suleiman Al Yahmadi, the Secretary General of the Oman Football Association, underscored the significance of securing a spot in the 2026 World Cup, describing it as a monumental national endeavor. He emphasized the collaboration between the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, the Ministry of Information, and all its press and media entities with the Oman Football Association to achieve this goal.
Ali bin Abdullah Al Habsi, the national team goalkeeper and a former international player, during his address, highlighted the critical role of fan support in the third phase of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
Al Habsi mentioned the "One Pulse" campaign, which adopted the slogan of the national team's media campaign during its participation in the 19th Gulf Cup in Muscat, which culminated in Oman's national team winning the Gulf Cup title for the first time in its history. He noted that this moment was a testament to the unity and solidarity across all sports sectors and government agencies, leading to the national team's historic achievement in the Gulf Cup tournaments.
"It marked a significant milestone in our team's history, solidifying our place among the champions of the Gulf Cup tournaments," he concluded.
It is anticipated that the forthcoming phase of the qualifiers will witness unparalleled support from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, the Oman Football Association, sports clubs, and the private sector. This collective effort is aimed at enhancing the capabilities of the national team and leveraging all facets of material, moral, and logistical support. Such support is expected to significantly improve the Reds’ performance in the qualifiers.
Basil bin Ahmed Al Rawas, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth for Sports and Youth, the event's sponsor, unveiled the campaign aimed at supporting the national football team in its quest for the final qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. The campaign, aptly named "We are all with you," features a logo designed to embody the spirit of sports, speed, and boldness, utilizing a single color for its simplicity and versatility.
The logo is designed for widespread application across various media platforms, including television channels, print advertisements, and social media, among others. It features abstract engravings that symbolize the unity of all segments of society—the young, the youth, and the elderly—standing behind the team and supporting it on its journey to the World Cup finals. This unity is visually represented through the movement of abstract shapes, which flow in one direction and ascend in an ascending manner.
The launch of this campaign is strategically planned to achieve its objectives and lay the groundwork for Omani football's next phase in its pursuit of the coveted dream of participating in the 2026 World Cup.
The national team's journey begins with a match against Iraq at the Basra International Stadium on September 5th, followed by a second match against South Korea at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bousher, Muscat, on September 10th. The third match against Kuwait is scheduled for October 10th in Muscat. The team will then travel to Amman, Jordan, to meet with the Jordanian team on October 15th and to Muscat to receive the Palestinian team on November 14th.
The Oman national team will host its match against Iraq in Muscat on November 19th, followed by a departure for Seoul, South Korea, to face the South Korean team on March 20, 2025. The team will then play against Kuwait in Kuwait on March 25, 2025, host Jordan in Muscat on June 5, 2025, and conclude its journey with a match against Palestine away from home on June 10, 2025.
Oman has emerged as the top-ranked team in its group during the final stage of the qualifiers, securing 13 points, followed by Kyrgyzstan with 11 points, Malaysia with 10 points, and Chinese Taipei with no points.
Two technical teams have been overseeing the team's training since the start, with Branko leading the charge in the matches against Chinese Taipei and Kyrgyzstan (first leg), before Czech coach Jaroslav Celavy, the national team's coach, was appointed. Under his leadership, the team has achieved 10 points out of 12, securing a top position.
