Latest news with #OmanFootball
Times of Oman
3 days ago
- Sport
- Times of Oman
World Cup qualification ‘top priority', says newly elected OFA chairman
Muscat: Newly elected Oman Football Association (OFA) Chairman Sayyid Sulaiman bin Hamoud Al Busaidi has declared 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification as the association's foremost goal, pledging a strategic push toward raising Oman's international football profile. 'Qualifying for the World Cup is our top priority and a shared ambition. We will focus intensely on this goal and will soon convene with the national team's technical and administrative staff,' said Al Busaidi in his first remarks after securing the presidency for the 2025–2029 term on Wednesday. 'We will also work to develop local competitions, secure appropriate support, and establish an Olympic-category league to deepen our footballing base.' Al Busaidi won the election with 30 out of 43 votes cast by eligible club representatives from the 49 clubs during the OFA Extraordinary General Assembly held Tuesday at the OFA headquarters in Seeb. Al Busaidi defeated his only rival Dr Jassim bin Mohammed Al Shukaili for the chairmanship. The election marked a new chapter for the sport in the Sultanate, with the leadership transition carried out via FIFA-approved electronic voting for the first time in the association's history —part of a broader initiative to increase transparency and speed in the electoral process. The General Assembly opened with the verification of a legal quorum, followed by approval of the agenda. The outgoing chairman, Sheikh Salim Said Al Wahaibi, delivered his farewell speech, reflecting on the achievements of his two-term tenure. 'The partnership between the association and the clubs is the foundation for football's success and development in the Sultanate. I urge everyone to continue working together and contributing fruitfully to elevate Omani football to new heights,' he said. Al Wahaibi emphasised that the primary objective throughout his leadership was 'to advance the Omani football system in all its components, particularly competitions, national teams, and refereeing, and to build effective bridges of cooperation with various partners at both local and international levels.' Following the chairman's election, Eng. Qutaiba Said Al Ghailani was elected Deputy Chairman, receiving 22 votes. Hajar Khamis Al Muzaini secured the board's female seat with 25 votes. The three board members elected were Abdullah Salim Al Shanfari, Abdullah Ali Al Rashidi, and Ali Hamad Al Kathiri. Mohammed Khamis Al Araimi was unanimously selected as the players' representative to the board, after being nominated by the Football Players' Association to complete the board of directors for the 2025–2029 term. The OFA's basic law includes regulations governing candidacy and membership. Article 39 prohibits dual roles, barring board members from simultaneously holding positions in club boards, judicial committees, or electoral bodies. Those assuming conflicting roles must resign and document their resignation within seven days of election, or their OFA membership is voided. Additionally, Article 37(4) restricts the presidency or board membership to a maximum of two terms, consecutive or otherwise, reinforcing administrative rotation and opportunities for new leadership. Al Busaidi emphasised that his board will aim for both international competitiveness and domestic development, signaling a broad-based reform agenda ahead.
Times of Oman
3 days ago
- Politics
- Times of Oman
Sayyid Suleiman Al Busiadi elected new Oman Football Association chairman
MUSCAT: Sayyid Suleiman bin Hamood Al Busaidi was on Wednesday elected as the new Oman Football Association (OFA) chairman. The Al Shabab Club representative defeated his only rival Dr Jassim bin Mohammed Al Shukaili by garnering 30 votes out of 43 at the OFA Extraordinary General Assembly on Wednesday tp elect a new board for the 2025–2029 term. Sayyid Suleiman succeeds Sheikh Salim Al Wahaibi, who concluded two successful terms. Qutaiba bin Said Al Ghailani won the post of vice-chairman. He defeated Sayyid Musallam bin Salim Al Busaidi and Nasr bin Hamood Al Wahaibi for the post. Qutaiba, a representative of Al Arouba Club, garnered 22 votes to win the seat. Hajar bint Khamis Al Mujaini won the lone spot for the women's seat in the board with 25 votes. Counting is still on for the remaining posts.
Times of Oman
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Times of Oman
Jaber lauds Red Warriors grit as Oman reach World Cup playoffs
MUSCAT: Oman football team head coach Rasheed Jaber hailed his side's fighting spirit and unwavering belief after they secured a dramatic 1-1 draw with Palestine on Tuesday in Amman, clinching a place in the AFC Asian Qualifier - Road to 26 playoff round. Needing at least a point to keep their FIFA World Cup dream alive, Oman looked set to crash out after conceding early in the second half and being reduced to ten men. But a stoppage-time penalty, coolly dispatched by Issam Al Subhi, saw them snatch a vital draw and book their place in the October playoffs. 'We knew this match would be very difficult. Palestine are well organised and have good players,' said Jaber, acknowledging the quality of their opponents who were on the cusp of advancing to the playoffs in their maiden campaign at this stage. 'They made it very difficult for us, and we then conceded early in the second half. Our situation was made worse by the red card (for Harib Al Saadi) but we never gave up.' Palestine had taken a 49th-minute lead through Oday Kharoub, and with Oman struggling to break through, their chances appeared all but over. Yet in the dying moments, a foul by Ahmad Taha on Mohsin Al Ghassani gave Oman a lifeline — and they seized it. 'Despite everything, the players fought until the end, and they had the desire and ambition. The players were determined to complete the qualifying campaign,' Jaber added, visibly proud of his squad's resilience. The result meant Oman advanced to the playoff stage of the Asian Qualifiers, where six teams will be divided into two groups. Besides the five other teams are Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Iraq, UAE, and Qatar. The group winners will earn direct qualification to the FIFA World Cup, while the two runners-up will face off for a place in the Inter-Confederation playoff, offering a final route to the global stage. 'Now we can think about the next round in October,' said Jaber. 'This is only the beginning — we still have work to do, but tonight, the players showed what it means to believe.'
Times of Oman
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Times of Oman
Oman rout Niger ahead of World Cup qualifiers
MUSCAT: With just two matches left in the crucial third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asian Qualifiers in June, Oman signalled their intent with a dominant 4-1 victory over Niger in a closed-door friendly on Tuesday night, held at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex as part of their ongoing domestic training camp. The Red Warriors, coached by Omani Rasheed Jaber, produced an assured attacking performance, led by the rising star Tariq Al Saadi, who opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 25th minute. Midfielder Mohammed Al Ghafri added a quickfire brace just before and after the break (45', 46'), while Mohsin Al Ghassani rounded off the scoring with another penalty in the 86th minute. Niger's lone goal came in the first half, with Oman holding a 3-1 lead at the interval. The match offered valuable playing time for several squad members, with head coach Jaber making seven second-half substitutions. Among those introduced were goalkeeper AbdulMalik Al Badri (Al Shabab Club), Hatim Al Roushdi, Yousef Al Malki, Ahed Al Mashakheyi, Hussain Al Shahri, Issa Al Naabi, and Mohammed Abdulhakeem. The rotation helped test tactical flexibility and improve cohesion as Oman sharpen their focus ahead of the must-win qualifiers. 'The goal was to test depth, fine-tune our attacking transitions, and reinforce defensive discipline,' said coach Jaber, who alongside assistant Yaqoob Al Sabahi, continues to assess form and fitness in the build-up to June's double-header against Jordan (June 5 in Muscat) and Palestine (June 10, away in Jordan). However, Oman's preparations have been dealt a setback with the injury to first-choice goalkeeper Ibrahim Al Mukhaini, who fractured a finger in his left hand. The national team's medical staff confirmed a four-week recovery period, ruling him out of the remaining qualifiers. In response, Jaber has called up Ahmed Al Rawahi and Motasim Al Wahaibi to reinforce the goalkeeping department. Four nations remain in the mix for direct qualification in Group B, with South Korea, Jordan, Iraq and Oman all putting their hopes on the line in June's final two matches. The Koreans will seal their spot on 5 June should they avoid defeat against Iraq in Basra. Jordan, meanwhile, will qualify for a first World Cup on the same day should they defeat Oman in Muscat and Iraq lose against South Korea. With two rounds remaining, Oman sit fourth with 10 points from eight matches. South Korea lead the group with 16 points, followed by Jordan (13), Iraq (12), and Oman (10). Palestine (6) and Kuwait (5) complete the table. The top two teams will progress to the final round of World Cup qualifying. Oman's recent form – two wins from their last three games – suggests growing momentum, but qualification hinges on back-to-back victories. The June 5 clash against Jordan at home is being billed as a do-or-die fixture, and a positive result could set up a decisive finale against Palestine. As the Red Warriors prepare for the final stretch, belief remains strong in the camp. The commanding win over Niger may have been a friendly, but it offered more than just confidence — it served as a reminder that Oman still have the tools, talent, and tenacity to fight for a place on the road to 2026. Oman play their final warm-up game against Lebanon on May 28 ahead of their match against Jordan at home.
