Oman national football team facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Oman

Association	OFA
Confederation	AFC (Asia)
Sub-confederation	WAFF (West Asia)
Head coach	Rashid Jaber
Captain	Faiz Al-Rushaidi
Most caps	Ahmed Mubarak (183)
Top scorer	Hani Al-Dhabit (43)
Home stadium	Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex
FIFA code	OMA
First colours Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current	90 8 (7 February 2019)
Highest	50 (August – October 2004)
Lowest	129 (October 2016)
Elo ranking
Current	82 7 (3 March 2019)
Highest	49 (12 April 2005)
Lowest	174 (March 1984)
First international
Libya 14–1 Muscat and Oman (Cairo, Egypt; 2 September 1965)
Biggest win
Oman 14–0 Bhutan  (Muscat, Oman; 28 March 2017)
Biggest defeat
Libya 21–0 Muscat and Oman (Baghdad, Iraq, 6 April 1966)
Asian Cup
Appearances	6 (first in 2004)
Best result	Round of 16 (2019)
WAFF Championship
Appearances	5 (first in 2008)
Best result	Third place (2012)
Arabian Gulf Cup
Appearances	24 (first in 1974)
Best result	Champions (2009, 2017)

The Oman national football team is a group of football players who represent Oman in international matches. They are controlled by the OFA. The team is also known as the "Red Warriors" because of their red jerseys.

History of Oman Football

World Cup and Asian Cup Journeys

The Oman national football team has worked hard in big international games. They have not yet qualified for the FIFA World Cup, which is the biggest football tournament in the world. However, they have shown great progress.

In the AFC Asian Cup, which is Asia's top football competition, Oman's best result was reaching the Round of 16 in 2019. This shows how much the team has improved over the years. They keep getting better and more competitive in Asian football.

Success in the Gulf Cup

In the mid-1990s, the Oman Football Association helped the team achieve good results in Asia. A famous Omani player, Hani Al-Dhabit, was even named the World Top Scorer in 2001. He scored 22 goals that year, which was a huge achievement! He was the first Omani to win this award.

In the 2002 Gulf Cup, Oman finished in 5th place. Led by captain Hani Al-Dhabit, they beat Kuwait, who had won the cup nine times before! Hani scored three goals in that match. He was the top goal scorer of the tournament with 5 goals.

Oman made history in the 2004 Gulf Cup by reaching the final for the first time. They played against the host team, Qatar. The game ended in a 1–1 draw, and Qatar won after a penalty shootout. Amad Al-Hosni was the "Top Goalscorer" in this tournament with 4 goals.

In the 2007 Gulf Cup, Oman reached the final again, but lost 1–0 to the United Arab Emirates. Even though they lost, they had not been defeated in any other game during the tournament. The goalkeeper, Ali Al-Habsi, won the "Best Goalkeeper of the Gulf Cup" award for the third time in a row! This was a record for any goalkeeper in the Gulf Cup's history.

Finally, after two close calls, Oman won the 2009 Gulf Cup when they hosted it in Muscat. They beat Saudi Arabia in a penalty shootout after the game ended 0–0. Oman did not let in any goals during the entire tournament! Hassan Rabia scored 4 goals and was the "Top Goalscorer." Ali Al-Habsi won his fourth "Best Goalkeeper Award" in a row.

Team Kit and Sponsors

The "confettied" kit provided by Thai firm Grand Sport during Oman's attempted qualification for the 1998 World Cup

The Oman national football team has had different sponsors for their jerseys and travel over the years. In 2006, they signed a deal with Gulf Air.

In 2012, the Oman Football Association (OFA) launched a new official team kit. This kit was designed by Taj Oman, a company from Oman. Later that year, Oman Air, Oman's airline, became the official airline for the OFA.

In 2014, the OFA partnered with Italian sports company Kappa. Kappa now makes the team's kits, which also feature the Taj mark. This means both names, Kappa and Taj, appear on the jerseys. Oman Air also continued its support as the official carrier.

Period	Kit Manufacturer
1978–1996	Puma
1996–2005	Grand Sport
2005–2006	Umbro
2006–2008	Lotto
2008–2012	Adidas
2012–2014	Taj Oman
2014–2018	Kappa
2018–2023	Jako
2023–	Kappa

Coaching Staff

The team has a dedicated group of people who help them train and play their best.

Position	Name
Technical director	Ahmed Al-Gharif
Head coach	Rashid Jaber
Assistant coach	Hamad Al-Azani Amir Al-Hussein Khalifa Al-Muzahami
Goalkeeping coach	Ghanim Fawaz
Fitness coach	Abdulrahman Al-Muzahami
Performance analyst	Hassan Al-Gharif
	Marwan Al-Rushaidi
Team Manager	Maqbool Al-Balushi
Players Relations Manager	Ahmed Hadid Al-Mukhaini
Task Manager	Ahmed Al-Owaisi
Operations Manager	Kamil Al-Balushi
Photographer	Salem Al-Muqbali
Team Doctor	Dr. Mohammed Moulou
Physiotherapist	Said Al-Balushi
Physiotherapist	Yaqoob Al-Mahrouqi
Masseur	Farooq Al-Alawi
	Ali Al-Haddad

Head Coaches Over Time

The Oman national team has been led by many different coaches throughout its history. Some notable coaches include Rashid Jaber, who has coached the team multiple times, and international coaches like Paul Le Guen from France and Pim Verbeek from the Netherlands. The current head coach is Rashid Jaber.

Players on the Team

Current Squad

Here are the players who were recently called up to play for Oman in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches in November 2024.

The number of games played (caps) and goals scored are correct as of October 15, after the match against  Jordan.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
	1GK	Faiz Al-Rushaidi (captain)	(1988-07-19) 19 July 1988 (age 37)	67	0	Sohar
	1GK	Ibrahim Al-Mukhaini	(1997-06-20) 20 June 1997 (age 28)	35	0	Al-Nahda
	1GK	Ibrahim Al-Rajhi	(2000-10-05) 5 October 2000 (age 24)	0	0	Al-Nasr
	2DF	Mohammed Al-Musalami	(1990-04-27) 27 April 1990 (age 35)	120	3	Al-Seeb
	2DF	Ali Al-Busaidi	(1991-03-21) 21 March 1991 (age 34)	93	1	Al-Seeb
	2DF	Ahmed Al-Khamisi	(1991-11-26) 26 November 1991 (age 33)	50	0	Al-Seeb
	2DF	Thani Al-Rushadi	(1995-03-16) 16 March 1995 (age 30)	0	0	Al-Nahda
	2DF	Khalid Al-Braiki	(1993-07-03) 3 July 1993 (age 32)	42	1	Al-Shabab
	2DF	Ahmed Al-Kaabi	(1996-09-15) 15 September 1996 (age 28)	39	0	Al-Nahda
	2DF	Ghanim Al-Habashi	(1998-08-04) 4 August 1998 (age 26)	2	0	Al-Nahda
	2DF	Abdulaziz Al-Shamousi	(1992-05-20) 20 May 1992 (age 33)	4	0	Al-Nahda
	2DF	Hussein Al-Shahri	(2002-12-26) 26 December 2002 (age 22)	0	0	Al-Nahda
	2DF	Mulham Al-Sinaidi	(2002-03-15) 15 March 2002 (age 23)	0	0	Al-Nasr
	3MF	Harib Al-Saadi	(1990-02-01) 1 February 1990 (age 35)	97	1	Al-Nahda
	3MF	Jameel Al-Yahmadi	(1996-07-27) 27 July 1996 (age 28)	75	4	Al-Seeb
	3MF	Sultan Al-Marzouq	(2004-10-23) 23 October 2004 (age 20)	0	0	Dhofar
	3MF	Arshad Al-Alawi	(2000-04-12) 12 April 2000 (age 25)	49	7	Al-Seeb
	3MF	Zahir Al-Aghbari	(1999-05-28) 28 May 1999 (age 26)	46	0	Al-Seeb
	3MF	Abdullah Fawaz	(1996-10-03) 3 October 1996 (age 28)	46	7	Al-Nahda
	3MF	Abdulrahman Al-Mushaifri	(1998-08-16) 16 August 1998 (age 26)	20	6	Al-Seeb
	3MF	Nasser Al-Rawahi	(2001-06-26) 26 June 2001 (age 24)	1	0	Al-Nahda
	3MF	Hatem Al-Rushadi	(1996-02-15) 15 February 1996 (age 29)	4	0	Al-Shabab
	4FW	Omar Al-Malki	(1994-01-04) 4 January 1994 (age 31)	23	6	Al-Seeb
	4FW	Muhsen Al-Ghassani	(1997-03-27) 27 March 1997 (age 28)	61	13	Bangkok United
	4FW	Issam Al-Sabhi	(1997-05-01) 1 May 1997 (age 28)	48	11	Al-Shabab

Team Records

Most Games Played

Ahmed Mubarak has played the most games for Oman with 183 appearances.

The player who has played the most matches for the Oman national football team is Ahmed Mubarak. He has played an amazing 183 games!

Top Goal Scorers

Hani Al-Dhabit is Oman's top scorer with 43 goals.

The player who has scored the most goals for Oman is Hani Al-Dhabit. He has scored 43 goals in his career with the national team.

Tournament Performance

FIFA World Cup

Oman has tried to qualify for the FIFA World Cup many times but has not yet made it to the main tournament.

FIFA World Cup record											Qualification record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	Squad		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1930 to 1982	Not a FIFA member										Not a FIFA member
1986	Withdrew										Withdrew
1990	Did not qualify										6	0	2	4	2	11
1994											6	2	2	2	10	5
1998											6	4	1	1	14	2
2002											14	6	4	4	40	19
2006											6	3	1	2	14	3
2010											8	4	2	2	9	7
2014											16	6	5	5	15	16
2018											8	4	2	2	11	7
2022											18	10	2	6	27	16
2026	Qualification in progress										12	6	1	5	17	11
2030	To be determined										To be determined
2034
Total		0/10									100	45	22	33	159	97

AFC Asian Cup

Oman has qualified for the AFC Asian Cup several times, showing their strength in Asian football.

AFC Asian Cup record											Qualification record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	Squad		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1956 to 1980	Not an AFC member										Not an AFC member
1984	Did not qualify										4	1	1	2	9	15
1988	Withdrew										Withdrew
1992	Did not qualify										2	0	0	2	0	5
1996											6	4	0	2	23	5
2000											3	1	0	2	4	4
2004	Group stage	9th	3	1	1	1	4	3	Squad		6	5	0	1	24	2
2007	Group stage	15th	3	0	2	1	1	3	Squad		6	4	0	2	14	6
2011	Did not qualify										6	2	2	2	4	4
2015	Group stage	12th	3	1	0	2	1	5	Squad		6	4	2	0	7	1
2019	Round of 16	16th	4	1	0	3	4	6	Squad		14	9	2	3	39	12
2023	Group stage	17th	3	0	2	1	2	3	Squad		8	6	0	2	16	6
2027	Qualified										6	4	1	1	11	2
Total	Round of 16	6/12	16	3	5	8	12	20			67	40	8	19	151	62

Arab Cup

Oman has also participated in the FIFA Arab Cup.

FIFA Arab Cup record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1963–1964	Did not enter
1966	Group stage	10th	1	0	0	1	1	21
1985–1992	Did not enter
1998	Withdrew
2002–2012	Did not enter
2021	Quarter-finals	8th	4	1	1	2	6	5
Total			5	1	1	3	7	26

Gulf Cup

The Arabian Gulf Cup is a very important tournament for Oman, where they have achieved great success, including winning it twice.

Gulf Cup record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	Squad
1970	Did not enter
1972
1974	Round 1	6th	2	0	0	2	0	9
1976	Seventh place	7th	6	0	1	5	3	21
1979	Seventh place	7th	6	0	0	6	1	21
1982	Sixth place	6th	5	0	0	5	2	15
1984	Seventh place	7th	6	0	2	4	3	9
1986	Seventh place	7th	6	0	1	5	4	11
1988	Seventh place	7th	6	1	1	4	3	9
1990	Fourth place	4th	4	0	3	1	4	6
1992	Sixth place	6th	5	0	0	5	1	10
1994	Sixth place	6th	5	0	2	3	4	9
1996	Sixth place	6th	5	0	2	3	2	7
1998	Fourth place	4th	5	1	1	3	6	12
2002	Fifth place	5th	5	1	1	3	5	7
2003	Fourth place	4th	6	2	2	2	6	4
2004	Runners-up	2nd	5	3	1	1	10	7
2007	Runners-up	2nd	5	4	0	1	7	4
2009	Champions	1st	5	3	2	0	7	0	Squad
2010	Group stage	6th	3	0	3	0	1	1
2013	Group stage	7th	3	0	1	2	1	4	Squad
2014	Fourth place	4th	5	1	2	2	7	5	Squad
2017	Champions	1st	5	3	1	1	4	1	Squad
2019	Group stage	5th	3	1	1	1	3	4	Squad
2023	Runners-up	2nd	5	3	1	1	8	6	Squad
Total	Champions	1st	111	23	29	59	91	180

WAFF Championship

Oman has also competed in the WAFF Championship, a tournament for West Asian teams.

WAFF Championship record
Year	Round	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD
2000	Not a WAFF Member
2002
2004
2007
2008	Group stage	2	0	0	2	2	5	−3
2010	Group stage	2	0	1	1	2	4	−2
2012	Third place	5	3	0	2	5	4	+1
2014	Group stage	2	0	2	0	0	0	0
2019	Did not enter
2023	Qualified
Total	Third place	11	3	3	5	9	13	−4

CAFA Nations Cup

Oman has also taken part in the CAFA Nations Cup.

CAFA Nations Cup record
Year	Round	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD
2023	Third place	4	2	1	1	4	4	0
Total		4	2	1	1	4	4	0

Asian Games

The Oman team has also played in the football tournaments at the Asian Games.

Asian Games record
Year	Round	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1951–1978	Did not participate
1982	Withdrew
1986-1990	Did not participate
1994	11th	3	1	1	1	4	4
1998	11th	5	2	1	2	14	13
Total		8	3	2	3	18	17

Arab Games

Oman has also participated in the football events at the Arab Games.

Arab Games record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1953–1961	Did not enter
1965	Group stage	10th	4	0	0	4	2	45
1976–1985	Did not enter
1997	Group stage	7th	3	0	2	1	4	6
1999	Group stage	8th	4	0	2	2	2	7
2007	Did not enter
2011	Group stage	9th	2	0	1	1	0	2
Total			13	0	5	8	8	60

See also

In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Omán para niños