MUSCAT: The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth (MoCSY) in direct collaboration with the Oman Football Association (OFA) revealed the details of the national football team’s supporting campaign in their main assignment at the deciding round of the Asian qualifiers to advance and reach 2026 Fifa World Cup.
The campaign was launched in the presence of Basil bin Ahmed al Rawas, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth for Sports, and Youth in presence of Shaikh Salim bin Said al Wahaibi, Chairman of OFA, and various top dignitaries, officials, sporting figures and former players.
The chief guest, Basil al Rawas unveiled the campaign's identity, titled under the slogan of 'We Are All With You'. The logo symbolises sports, speed and boldness and it is designed in a single colour for versatile use across various platforms such as television, print advertisements and social media. The abstract designs in the logo represent all segments of society (young and old people) who stand behind the national team. This is symbolising the unified support in achieving the goal of qualifying for the World Cup. The design elements move in one direction signifying progress and aspiration.
Strategic directives
“As everyone is aware, the journey of the national team towards vying to secure historic slot to 2026 Fifa World Cup will begin in early September. The Ministry based on the strategic directives led by HH Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham al Said, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth to create a supportive environment for sports achievements. Launching this campaign reflects the active partnership between the Ministry, sports association bodies, government entities, the private sector and media organisations,” Mohammed al Amri, Director-General of Sports Activities at the Ministry and Project Manager of the campaign, said.
“The campaign will target to provide the required support to the national football team through offering a suitable environment, offering logistical support, and ensuring that facilities hosting matches in Oman are optimally prepared and assist the team to register the desired results. The campaign will provide extensive media coverage in cooperation with the government and private media entities through promotional advertisements which will be displayed in public areas, shopping centres, and on public transport. A special support song for the team written by a young Omani artist will be published very soon,” he explained.
Commenting on the fans role, Al Amri said:” Oman’s audience and fans are very loyal to the national team. The campaign will feature several events and fan activities designed to enhance the matchday experience. The members at the campaign are negotiating with government and private sector companies to sponsor transport services for fans which will be announced soon including their attendance in some abroad matches.”
“The success of this national campaign by qualifying the national team to the World Cup for the first time in history is the optimum target. This will require a collaborative approach and national unity besides combining the efforts from everyone and working under a unified media message. We are looking for everyone's support in this campaign to achieve the desired results” he concluded.
Close follow-up and cooperation
Mohammed bin Suleiman al Yahmadi, Executive Director of OFA, affirmed that he is confident the national team will deliver their utmost technical efforts to translate the nation’s hope in reaching the 2026 Fifa World Cup. “The OFA is working very hard to prepare the national team technically ahead of the qualifiers begin in September. We are supporting the campaign which is aligned with significant goals and working diligently to meet the aspirations of Omani fans and the government,” he added.
“Achieving the target of attending the 2026 Fifa World Cup is a significant goal and is classified as a grand national project. I am very pleased with the close collaboration between the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, the Ministry of Information, and the Oman Football Association as everybody is working to fulfill their roles with precision. With this united effort from all the entities, I trust the team's capabilities in reaching the World Cup,” the OFA director added.
With the launch of this campaign, the main significant step is marked towards achieving the long-awaited target of advancing the national team in the forthcoming edition of the 2026 Fifa World Cup.
The Red Warriors were drawn in a balanced group that comprised South Korea, Iraq, Jordan, Palestine and Kuwait in Group B. Oman will begin their campaign in the Asian qualifiers with an away match against Iraq in Basra city on September 5, before hosting South Korea in a key game on September 10. Later, the Red Warriors will meet Kuwait on October 10 in Muscat and it will be followed by the Jordan clash on October 15 in Amman city. The concluding first leg matches will be against Palestine on November 14.
The second leg matches will begin as Oman will host Iraq in Muscat on November 19 before traveling to Seoul to face South Korea on March 20, 2025, and then Kuwait on March 25, 2025. The final group matches will be against Jordan in Muscat on June 5, 2025, and the concluding game against Palestine in an away match on June 10, 2025.
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