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Oman national football team facts for kids

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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 Decrease 8 (7 February 2019)
Highest 50 (August – October 2004)
Lowest 129 (October 2016)
Elo ranking
Current 82 Decrease 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 Germany Puma
1996–2005 Thailand Grand Sport
2005–2006 United Kingdom Umbro
2006–2008 Italy Lotto
2008–2012 Germany Adidas
2012–2014 Oman Taj Oman
2014–2018 Italy Kappa
2018–2023 Germany Jako
2023– Italy Kappa

Coaching Staff

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

Position Name
Technical director Oman Ahmed Al-Gharif
Head coach Oman Rashid Jaber
Assistant coach Oman Hamad Al-Azani
Oman Amir Al-Hussein
Oman Khalifa Al-Muzahami
Goalkeeping coach Oman Ghanim Fawaz
Fitness coach Oman Abdulrahman Al-Muzahami
Performance analyst Oman Hassan Al-Gharif
Oman Marwan Al-Rushaidi
Team Manager Oman Maqbool Al-Balushi
Players Relations Manager Oman Ahmed Hadid Al-Mukhaini
Task Manager Oman Ahmed Al-Owaisi
Operations Manager Oman Kamil Al-Balushi
Photographer Oman Salem Al-Muqbali
Team Doctor Oman Dr. Mohammed Moulou
Physiotherapist Oman Said Al-Balushi
Physiotherapist Oman Yaqoob Al-Mahrouqi
Masseur Oman Farooq Al-Alawi
Oman 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 36) 67 0 Oman Sohar
1GK Ibrahim Al-Mukhaini (1997-06-20) 20 June 1997 (age 28) 35 0 Oman Al-Nahda
1GK Ibrahim Al-Rajhi (2000-10-05) 5 October 2000 (age 24) 0 0 Oman Al-Nasr

2DF Mohammed Al-Musalami (1990-04-27) 27 April 1990 (age 35) 120 3 Oman Al-Seeb
2DF Ali Al-Busaidi (1991-03-21) 21 March 1991 (age 34) 93 1 Oman Al-Seeb
2DF Ahmed Al-Khamisi (1991-11-26) 26 November 1991 (age 33) 50 0 Oman Al-Seeb
2DF Thani Al-Rushadi (1995-03-16) 16 March 1995 (age 30) 0 0 Oman Al-Nahda
2DF Khalid Al-Braiki (1993-07-03) 3 July 1993 (age 31) 42 1 Oman Al-Shabab
2DF Ahmed Al-Kaabi (1996-09-15) 15 September 1996 (age 28) 39 0 Oman Al-Nahda
2DF Ghanim Al-Habashi (1998-08-04) 4 August 1998 (age 26) 2 0 Oman Al-Nahda
2DF Abdulaziz Al-Shamousi (1992-05-20) 20 May 1992 (age 33) 4 0 Oman Al-Nahda
2DF Hussein Al-Shahri (2002-12-26) 26 December 2002 (age 22) 0 0 Oman Al-Nahda
2DF Mulham Al-Sinaidi (2002-03-15) 15 March 2002 (age 23) 0 0 Oman Al-Nasr

3MF Harib Al-Saadi (1990-02-01) 1 February 1990 (age 35) 97 1 Oman Al-Nahda
3MF Jameel Al-Yahmadi (1996-07-27) 27 July 1996 (age 28) 75 4 Oman Al-Seeb
3MF Sultan Al-Marzouq (2004-10-23) 23 October 2004 (age 20) 0 0 Oman Dhofar
3MF Arshad Al-Alawi (2000-04-12) 12 April 2000 (age 25) 49 7 Oman Al-Seeb
3MF Zahir Al-Aghbari (1999-05-28) 28 May 1999 (age 26) 46 0 Oman Al-Seeb
3MF Abdullah Fawaz (1996-10-03) 3 October 1996 (age 28) 46 7 Oman Al-Nahda
3MF Abdulrahman Al-Mushaifri (1998-08-16) 16 August 1998 (age 26) 20 6 Oman Al-Seeb
3MF Nasser Al-Rawahi (2001-06-26) 26 June 2001 (age 23) 1 0 Oman Al-Nahda
3MF Hatem Al-Rushadi (1996-02-15) 15 February 1996 (age 29) 4 0 Oman Al-Shabab

4FW Omar Al-Malki (1994-01-04) 4 January 1994 (age 31) 23 6 Oman Al-Seeb
4FW Muhsen Al-Ghassani (1997-03-27) 27 March 1997 (age 28) 61 13 Thailand Bangkok United
4FW Issam Al-Sabhi (1997-05-01) 1 May 1997 (age 28) 48 11 Oman Al-Shabab

Team Records

Most Games Played

Ahmed mubarak
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!

Rank Name Caps Goals Career
1 Ahmed Mubarak 183 23 2003–2019
2 Fawzi Bashir 150 30 2001–2013
3 Ali Al-Habsi 138 0 2001–2019
4 Hassan Mudhafar 128 6 2003–2015
5 Amad Al-Hosni 127 38 2003–2015
6 Mohammed Al-Musalami 122 3 2010–present
7 Saad Al-Mukhaini 116 1 2006–2019
8 Ahmed Hadid 107 9 2003–2013
9 Hani Al-Dhabit 102 43 1997–2014
10 Ismail Al-Ajmi 101 15 2003–2013

Top Goal Scorers

Hani Al-Dhabit
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.

Rank Name Goals Caps Average Career
1 Hani Al-Dhabit 43 102 0.42 1997–2014
2 Amad Al-Hosni 38 127 0.3 2003–2015
3 Abdulaziz Al-Muqbali 34 99 0.34 2011–2021
Fawzi Bashir 30 150 0.2 2000–2013
5 Ahmed Mubarak 23 180 0.13 2003–2019
6 Khalid Al-Hajri 18 45 0.4 2017–2022
Hashim Saleh 18 75 0.24 2001–2010
8 Badar Al-Maimani 17 71 0.24 2003–2012
9 Hassan Rabia 16 52 0.31 2008–2013
10 Ismail Al-Ajmi 15 101 0.15 2003–2013

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
Uruguay 1930 to Spain 1982 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
Mexico 1986 Withdrew Withdrew
Italy 1990 Did not qualify 6 0 2 4 2 11
United States 1994 6 2 2 2 10 5
France 1998 6 4 1 1 14 2
South Korea Japan 2002 14 6 4 4 40 19
Germany 2006 6 3 1 2 14 3
South Africa 2010 8 4 2 2 9 7
Brazil 2014 16 6 5 5 15 16
Russia 2018 8 4 2 2 11 7
Qatar 2022 18 10 2 6 27 16
Canada Mexico United States 2026 Qualification in progress 12 6 1 5 17 11
Morocco Portugal Spain 2030 To be determined To be determined
Saudi Arabia 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
British Hong Kong 1956 to Kuwait 1980 Not an AFC member Not an AFC member
Singapore 1984 Did not qualify 4 1 1 2 9 15
Qatar 1988 Withdrew Withdrew
Japan 1992 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 0 5
United Arab Emirates 1996 6 4 0 2 23 5
Lebanon 2000 3 1 0 2 4 4
China 2004 Group stage 9th 3 1 1 1 4 3 Squad 6 5 0 1 24 2
Indonesia Malaysia Thailand Vietnam 2007 Group stage 15th 3 0 2 1 1 3 Squad 6 4 0 2 14 6
Qatar 2011 Did not qualify 6 2 2 2 4 4
Australia 2015 Group stage 12th 3 1 0 2 1 5 Squad 6 4 2 0 7 1
United Arab Emirates 2019 Round of 16 16th 4 1 0 3 4 6 Squad 14 9 2 3 39 12
Qatar 2023 Group stage 17th 3 0 2 1 2 3 Squad 8 6 0 2 16 6
Saudi Arabia 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
Iraq 1966 Group stage 10th 1 0 0 1 1 21
1985–1992 Did not enter
Qatar 1998 Withdrew
2002–2012 Did not enter
Qatar 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
Bahrain 1970 Did not enter
Saudi Arabia 1972
Kuwait 1974 Round 1 6th 2 0 0 2 0 9
Qatar 1976 Seventh place 7th 6 0 1 5 3 21
Iraq 1979 Seventh place 7th 6 0 0 6 1 21
United Arab Emirates 1982 Sixth place 6th 5 0 0 5 2 15
Oman 1984 Seventh place 7th 6 0 2 4 3 9
Bahrain 1986 Seventh place 7th 6 0 1 5 4 11
Saudi Arabia 1988 Seventh place 7th 6 1 1 4 3 9
Kuwait 1990 Fourth place 4th 4 0 3 1 4 6
Qatar 1992 Sixth place 6th 5 0 0 5 1 10
United Arab Emirates 1994 Sixth place 6th 5 0 2 3 4 9
Oman 1996 Sixth place 6th 5 0 2 3 2 7
Bahrain 1998 Fourth place 4th 5 1 1 3 6 12
Saudi Arabia 2002 Fifth place 5th 5 1 1 3 5 7
Kuwait 2003 Fourth place 4th 6 2 2 2 6 4
Qatar 2004 Runners-up 2nd 5 3 1 1 10 7
United Arab Emirates 2007 Runners-up 2nd 5 4 0 1 7 4
Oman 2009 Champions 1st 5 3 2 0 7 0 Squad
Yemen 2010 Group stage 6th 3 0 3 0 1 1
Bahrain 2013 Group stage 7th 3 0 1 2 1 4 Squad
Saudi Arabia 2014 Fourth place 4th 5 1 2 2 7 5 Squad
Kuwait 2017 Champions 1st 5 3 1 1 4 1 Squad
Qatar 2019 Group stage 5th 3 1 1 1 3 4 Squad
Iraq 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
Jordan 2000 Not a WAFF Member
Syria 2002
Iran 2004
Jordan 2007
Iran 2008 Group stage 2 0 0 2 2 5 −3
Jordan 2010 Group stage 2 0 1 1 2 4 −2
Kuwait 2012 Third place 5 3 0 2 5 4 +1
Qatar 2014 Group stage 2 0 2 0 0 0 0
Iraq 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
KyrgyzstanUzbekistan 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
India 1982 Withdrew
1986-1990 Did not participate
Japan 1994 11th 3 1 1 1 4 4
Thailand 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
United Arab Emirates 1965 Group stage 10th 4 0 0 4 2 45
1976–1985 Did not enter
Lebanon 1997 Group stage 7th 3 0 2 1 4 6
Jordan 1999 Group stage 8th 4 0 2 2 2 7
Egypt 2007 Did not enter
Qatar 2011 Group stage 9th 2 0 1 1 0 2
Total 13 0 5 8 8 60

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Omán para niños

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