The UAE's World Cup dream suffered a setback after a 2-0 loss to Iran in the Asian qualifiers in Tehran on Thursday.
The defeat keeps Paulo Bento's side in third place in Group A.
Only the first two teams of the three Asian qualifying groups will automatically progress to the finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico next year.
But the UAE's chances are still alive, with the third and fourth placed teams from each group set for a six-team fourth round of qualifiers.
The UAE will next play North Korea in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.
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