Iraq’s World Cup Dream Hits a Hurdle as UAE Set the Stage for a Must-Win Playoff

Overview

The Iraqi national football team has been dealt a significant setback ahead of the two-leg playoff against the United Arab Emirates for a coveted slot in the World Cup 2026 playoff path. The first leg will be held in Abu Dhabi, with the return match scheduled for November 18 in Basra, Iraq. This playoff is part of a broader intercontinental route that includes six teams from Asia, Africa, North and South America, plus two teams from Oceania.

Historically, Iraq has not reached a World Cup since the 1986 tournament in Mexico. Their journey in the Asian qualifying rounds ended with a third-place finish in Group 2 behind South Korea and Jordan, followed by a runner-up finish in the subsequent playoff phase, which ultimately cost direct qualification to Saudi Arabia.

Team Changes and What’s At Stake

In a notable change, coach Graham Arnold decided to call up Hussein Ali to join the squad in place of Yousif Al-Amin due to medical concerns reported by his club. Al-Amin, aged 22, had featured in six matches this season but had not scored or assisted a goal. Al-Amin’s recent path included youth stints at Borussia Dortmund, then moves to Victoria Köln, Vitesse in the Netherlands, and stints with Brownshvig and finally Al Wahda in Saudi Arabia. Ali Ali Hamadi’s return from injury and the reintroduction of other attackers add to Iraq’s options as they prepare for the UAE tests.

Ali Al-Hamadi, who has recovered from injury, is likely to feature again with Ayman Hussein also back in contention. The squad list released by Arnold features a balance of domestic and international club experience, with a focus on solidity in defense and pace in attack. The team’s tactical emphasis will be on seizing control and capitalizing on chances in what promises to be a tightly contested tie.

Arnold stressed that the players selected are ready to fight for a place in the global playoff and, beyond that, to push toward a World Cup dream not realized since 1986. He praised the defense for not conceding in the earlier playoff fixtures against Indonesia and Saudi Arabia while acknowledging the need for even better ball possession and control in this crucial stage.

“I’m happy to be back in Iraq and to prepare for two important matches against the UAE,” Arnold said in a video message. “We will do everything we can to reach the World Cup, an achievement that has eluded us since 1986. The support from fans and media has been intense after the previous results, and I am proud of how the players and the team have stuck to the plan.” He also noted that the defense has been strong, but emphasized greater ball control in the upcoming games.

Arnold announced the omission of Ibrahim Bayesh from the squad due to injury and highlighted the encouraging returns of both Ayman Hussein and Ali Hamadi. He also explained that some technically gifted players remain outside the immediate selection for tactical or squad balance reasons. The coach concluded with a call to the Iraqi public for support at Basra and a belief that this squad is ready to fight for a historic progression toward the World Cup playoff path.

Squad highlights include goalkeepers Jassim Al-Zawraa and Fahd Talib, with a defensive line featuring players like Rebin Solagh and Zaid Hashem among others. The midfield and forward lines are populated by a mix of domestic league players and those competing in Turkey, the Netherlands, Poland, and beyond. Arnold underscored that the group, though facing stiff competition, remains focused on the goal of qualification. He added that returning players such as Ali Hamadi and Ayman Hussein bring vital attacking spark and experience to the squad.

In Arnold’s words, the road to the World Cup is long and the team must stay disciplined, compact, and sharp in every phase of play. The coach’s public message to Iraqi fans was a plea for backing, counting on their presence to fill the Basra stadium to create the kind of atmosphere that can lift a squad in moments of pressure.

Cast and key players apart, the cultural memory of 1986 still looms large for Iraqi football, making this playoff not only a test of talent but also of national resolve. If Iraq can navigate this playoff, they will join a small cadre of teams continuing a path toward a final, global showdown in the World Cup 2026 cycle.

Two punchlines to close: 1) If Iraq pull this off, the goal celebrations might need a new GPS to navigate through Basra’s streets—goals will be so frequent, even the whistle gets dizzy. 2) And if fate misfires? Remember, a good defense sometimes just needs better coffee—because sometimes the only thing sharper than a striker is a well-caffeinated bench.