Captain Walid Obaid, technical director of Hatta FC, has affirmed that the 2026 FIFA World Cup has entered a more exciting phase following the conclusion of the group stage and the round of 32, noting that the tournament has witnessed numerous surprises that confirmed football no longer recognises big names alone, but rather whoever delivers the best performance on the pitch.
Walid Obaid told Al Bayan that the start was not ideal from an organisational standpoint, as some shortcomings were evident in the early days, but matters gradually settled and the tournament presented a better image as matches accumulated. He stressed that the technical level rose noticeably, particularly towards the end of the group stage.
Surprises
The former UAE national team star explained that the most prominent surprises of the tournament were the eliminations of Germany and the Netherlands in the round of 32, despite the fact that most experts and analysts had tipped them to go far. He said this reflects the extent of the convergence between competing national teams and the ability of less-fancied sides to cause upsets.
He added that the round of 16 will feature heavyweight clashes and predicted that the technical level would rise further, given the increasing importance of matches that offer no margin for error. He also expressed his wish for good fortune for the two Arab sides, Morocco and Egypt, hoping they would continue their campaign successfully and deliver positive results to delight Arab fans.
Big stars
Walid Obaid noted that the big stars once again demonstrated their value in the tournament, led by Argentina's Lionel Messi and Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, who both produced performances that confirm their vast experience. He expressed sadness, however, at the departure of Croatia captain Luka Modric, stressing that he had wished one of the finest midfielders of recent years had continued in the tournament for longer.
He affirmed that the current World Cup has provided important additions for coaches on the technical side, explaining that the tournament has revealed new tactical ideas and varied approaches to match management, offering technical staffs an opportunity to benefit from them and develop their coaching work in the period ahead.
On the prospects of the Arab sides, Walid Obaid said that Morocco possesses all the ingredients to qualify for the next round, thanks to the consistent performances and tactical discipline that distinguish the Atlas Lions, as well as the strong character the players have shown throughout the tournament.
The Hatta technical director spoke about the anticipated clash between Spain and Portugal in the round of 16, describing it as one of the strongest matches of the tournament, but leaning towards Spain due to their balance between defence and attack and their ability to control the tempo of games.
As for Brazil, he confirmed that he has supported them for years, considering that the Seleção produced their best spell in the tournament during the half they played against Japan, in which the players showed Brazil's true character. He praised the work being done by coach Carlo Ancelotti, adding that if Brazil maintain the same level and continue to perform with the spirit and approach they showed in that match, they will be among the leading contenders to reach the final.
He also considered France to remain the standout favourite to win the World Cup title, affirming that the scales tip clearly in favour of Les Bleus in their match against Paraguay, given the French side's great technical quality, extensive experience in major tournaments, and an abundance of options across all positions.
The White's future
On the future of the UAE national team, the Hatta technical director explained that the road towards qualifying for the 2030 World Cup finals begins with technical stability and giving the coaching staff sufficient time to work, in addition to selecting players according to precise technical criteria, free from any other considerations. He stressed the importance of a fighting spirit and discipline on the pitch, affirming that current indicators are grounds for optimism and that the UAE national team possesses a promising generation capable of achieving the dream of qualification, if work continues along the right path in the years ahead.