Lightning in the Gulf: Iraq Hope to Punch World Cup Playoff Ticket Against UAE
10 November 2025
Ahead of the UAE Playoff, Iraq’s Injury Woes Deepen
The Iraqi national team waits for a pivotal Asia World Cup playoff against the United Arab Emirates, with the first leg set in Abu Dhabi and the return leg in Basra on November 18, as the battle for a spot in the intercontinental playoff for the 2026 finals intensifies.
The Iraqi camp arrived in the United Arab Emirates to prepare for the decisive ties, knowing the prize is a place in the global playoff for the World Cup finals hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The team hopes to secure a World Cup playoff berth alongside five other entrants from across continents—Africa, South America, North America, and Oceania.
Coach Graham Arnold emphasized focus and hard work as the trio of matches approaches, aiming to keep the Iraq dream alive on the world stage.
The camp received a blow with the announcement that Montazer Majed will miss the camp due to illness, with Hussein Ali stepping in at right-back in his stead.
Missing Montazer Majed
A statement from Australian manager Graham Arnold confirmed Majed’s absence from the camp after he felt unwell following recent league action with his Swedish club Hamari?bi. No replacement for Majed has been announced for the two UAE fixtures.
Majed, aged 20, plays as a winger for Hamrabi in Sweden and has recorded seven goals and five assists this season. He featured in four international caps for Iraq, without yet scoring or providing an assist for the national side.
The Iraq delegation arrived in Abu Dhabi to begin preparations for the first leg, with Arnold placing a strong emphasis on focus and training as they gear up for the mission ahead.
Arnold’s Selections
Arnold unveiled his squad for the UAE ties last week, highlighting a mix of domestic-based players and several internationals. The coach outlined that Ali Hamadi’s return and the fitness of other key players would shape the lineup, while some players were left out for technical reasons or injuries.
Arnold also noted that Ibrahim Bayesh was not included due to injury, and the return of Ali Hamadi and Ali Hussein’s recovery offered optimism ahead of travel to the Gulf and the Basra leg. He stressed that the final selection aimed to ensure players are fully ready for combat both technically and physically.
In a message released by the federation’s channels, Arnold said he would do everything possible to reach the World Cup, a milestone Iraq last achieved in 1986, and that the team must be better defensively and more composed in possession to maximize their chances.
“We are proud of the work we’ve done and will cling to our World Cup dream via the intercontinental playoff,” Arnold said, underscoring the players’ readiness and commitment for both fixtures.
As the squad prepared to fly to Abu Dhabi, Arnold reiterated the need for peak fitness and a fighting mindset to represent the badge well in every moment of the ties.
Punchlines to close the sports saga: If this team finds the net, even the stadium might file for a passport because the celebration could travel faster than the ball. And if they miss out, at least the jokes will be cheaper than the popcorn in the stands—footballs travel, punchlines travel faster.
