The Iraqi national football team faces a decisive match today, Thursday, against host UAE in the first leg of the Asian playoff round for qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The match will be held at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi. Iraqi fans are eagerly anticipating the game, hoping their team can seize this final opportunity to reach the World Cup.

Both teams aim to secure a positive result that brings them closer to a spot in the intercontinental playoff, making the coming encounter a pivotal moment in their journey toward World Cup qualification.

Iraq will be missing key players, including Ibrahim Bayesh, Youssef Amin, and Montathar Al-Majed. 

The Asian Football Confederation has appointed an Australian refereeing crew led by Shaun Evans to officiate the first leg between Iraq and the UAE.

Eight Asian teams have already qualified for the World Cup: Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Uzbekistan.