Confident UAE look to keep World Cup dream alive with victory against Iraq

Iraq and the UAE will attempt to overcome the disappointment of missing out on an automatic berth at next year’s World Cup when they face off on Thursday for another shot at keeping their qualification dreams alive.

The teams meet in Abu Dhabi before reconvening in Basra four days later, with the winners progressing to an intercontinental playoff that will determine the 48th and final qualifier for the expanded tournament in the US, Mexico and Canada.

The opportunity to join Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan at the World Cup 2026 means nothing will be left to chance for either side.

UAE and Iraq arrived at this stage after both finished second in the Playoff stage played in October.

Both nations go into the matches, which are among the most important in the history of the respective countries, having already squandered opportunities to progress automatically and end lengthy absences from the finals.

Iraq lost out last month to Saudi Arabia in their attempt to book a first World Cup berth since debuting at the tournament in 1986 while Emirati efforts to claim a ticket for the first time since 1990 were denied by Qatar.

Under head coach Cosmin Olaroiu, UAE have regained some of their spark with only one defeat in five competitive matches, that being the 2-1 loss to Qatar which secured the latter’s spot at the global showpiece.

The Romanian tactician will be counting on the home fans at Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium to spur his side on.

The absence of the injured Fabio Lima will be keenly felt but in Ali Saleh, Sultan Adil and Caio Lucas, Olaroiu has options that could contribute in giving UAE an advantage to take into the second leg.

Iraq have only scored twice in the four qualifiers since Graham Arnold was appointed in May while the UAE have fared slightly better under Olaroiu, netting four times in four matches after the Romanian replaced Paulo Bento.

Injuries have also barred Arnold of his best Iraq squad with Ibrahim Bayesh and Youssef Amyn unavailable as the entire nation hopes to end a 40-year wait to return to the finals.

Arnold, who guided Australia to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, however, can take confidence with the return of key attackers Aymen Hussein and Ali Alhammadi.

“Our primary goal is to secure Iraq’s qualification for the World Cup, which is the most important achievement for us,” said Arnold.

“I am well aware that the fans and the media were disappointed after the Saudi Arabia match, but I want to emphasise that I am proud of the players, their performance, discipline, and the work they have done.

“We played at a high level defensively and did not concede any goals in the two matches, which is a credit to the team. However, we must be more effective offensively and put the ball in the net.

“We will choose the players who are most physically fit and capable of fighting on the pitch. The match will be 11 against 11, like a battlefield, and we need those representing Iraq to give their all to win.”

Earlier, Qatar secured a place at the showpiece event as second half headers from Boualem Khouki and Pedro Miguel sealed a 2-1 win over the UAE in Doha to claim the slot at next year’s finals from Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers.

Akram Afif unlocked the UAE defence on both occasions at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, the reigning AFC Player of the Year delivering free kicks in the 49th and 74th minutes for his team mates to nod in the goals that saw Julien Lopetegui’s side advance.