Iraq hopes to capitalize on the support of its home fans when it faces the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday in Basra, in the second leg of the Asian playoff leading to the intercontinental playoff for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Meanwhile, the UAE aims to improve its defensive performance to advance to the next stage.
Iraq Football Association President Adnan Darjal called on fans to strongly support the Lions of Mesopotamia, urging in particular the famously passionate Zakho supporters to fill Basra International Stadium, which holds 65,000 spectators (kickoff at 16:00 GMT).
The first leg ended 1–1 in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, with Ali Al-Hamadi scoring early for Iraq (10’), before UAE’s Luan Pereira equalized eight minutes later.
Iraq’s Emar Sher told the federation’s website, “We thank the fans who supported us in Abu Dhabi. Now we have an even more important match and we need your support.”
Both teams have only one World Cup appearance each: Iraq in 1986 (Mexico) and the UAE in 1990 (Italy).
The winner will advance to the global playoff scheduled for March, involving teams from Africa (DR Congo), South America (Bolivia), CONCACAF (two teams), and Oceania (New Caledonia), competing for two World Cup spots in the tournament set to be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19.
Iraq will be missing five key players due to injuries. After Ibrahim Bayesh, Youssef Al-Amin, and Montadhar Al-Majid were ruled out before the first leg, defender Rebin Sulaka was injured a day before that match. It was later confirmed that Ali Al-Hamadi, Iraq’s goal scorer against the UAE, will also be absent. Coach Graham Arnold responded by calling up forwards Ammar Mohsen (Sweden’s first division), Mohammed Jawad (Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya), and defender Saad Natiq (Duhok).
This match marks the eighth World Cup qualifying meeting between the two sides: Iraq has won three times, the UAE twice.
Iraq defender Mirkhas Doski said, “We are ready to fight and give everything we have. We want to gift our fans qualification to the next round.”
Iraq had previously beaten Indonesia 1–0 before drawing 0–0 with Saudi Arabia in Jeddah, finishing second in the group on goal difference. The UAE defeated Oman 2–1 before losing 2–1 to Qatar in Doha.
— Set-Piece Struggles —
The UAE still believes in its chances despite the first-leg draw and a prior loss to Qatar, both raising concerns about the team’s defensive performance—particularly in set-piece situations.
Coach Cosmin Olăroiu admitted that his side is struggling with defending dead-ball situations, noting that the last three goals conceded came from set pieces. The Romanian manager called up Al-Nasr defender Gustavo Alex for the match in Basra.
“We conceded a goal from a set piece, and Iraq were clearly superior in this aspect,” Olăroiu said. “Now we have a decisive match in Basra. We must fight until the end. The chances are still even.”
He added, “We have to go to Iraq and win. It will be the toughest match since I took charge of the UAE. We need strength, courage, and fighting spirit away from home.”
Olăroiu praised the UAE fans, saying, “They were the highlight of the match against Iraq, and we want to make them proud.”
The UAE Football Association has arranged eight private planes to transport supporters to Iraq, with the visiting fans allocated 8% of Basra International Stadium’s capacity.
UAE will again miss star striker Fabio Lima, the team’s top scorer in the qualifiers with eight goals.
Nicolas Giménez, Lima’s teammate at Al-Wasl, said, “We have no excuses. We want to qualify against Iraq. The 1–1 result was fair for both sides, but now we must win the second leg.”
