Desert Duel: Iraq Call Mohammed Jawad as UAE Playoff Looms for World Cup 2026

State of Play

Australian coach Graham Arnold named Mohammed Jawad, the 29-year-old striker from Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya, to the Iraq squad ahead of the return leg of the Asian World Cup playoff against the United Arab Emirates at Basra International Stadium.

The first leg in Abu Dhabi finished 1-1, leaving the tie finely balanced as both nations chase a place in the global playoff scheduled for March, which will decide who advances toward the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Jawad’s inclusion was aimed at offsetting a numbers problem in attack caused by Ali Hamadi’s injury in the opening leg against Luton Town, a setback that has complicated Arnold’s plans for the rematch.

Hamadi had scored Iraq’s goal in the first leg and had shown good form in the early stages before picking up the injury that sidelined him for the return.

Mohammed Jawad, who plays for Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya, has been in good form, scoring two goals in six league appearances. He had previously been named in Iraq’s squad for the playoff in October but remained on the bench. Arnold also called Ammar Mohsen of Brage in Sweden to cover for the loss, while Ayman Hussein of Karama IC might not be fully ready after coming on as a substitute in the UAE game.

Key Absences

Iraq will miss several important players, notably Rebin Sulaka after he reported muscular pains and was left out of the first leg. Veteran defender Saad Natq was drafted in just hours before kick-off. Yousef Al-Ameen (winger for AEK Larnaca) and Montaser Majed (Hammarby) are sidelined due to injuries, and Ibrahim Bayesh of Al-Riyadh also misses out.

The Iraq camp continues in Basra with intense focus on securing a spot in the global playoff and, ultimately, a World Cup berth for the second time—40 years after their lone appearance in 1986 in Mexico.

Arnold urged fans to flood Basra’s stands, saying: "I hope to see more than 65,000 supporters in Basra; the emotional crowd will lift us as we chase victory over the UAE." He stressed that the team needs fan support to clinch the playoff spot and dream of the World Cup.

The two nations boast a long competitive history in Asian and Arab competitions, facing each other more than 30 times in official and friendly matches. Iraq has tended to win more often, though the UAE have had their moments, making the upcoming playoff both historic and highly anticipated for fans across the Arab world.

Neither side has qualified for the World Cup since 1986 (Iraq) or 1990 (UAE), adding extra weight to the upcoming clash as both teams chase a return to the global stage in 2026.

Message from Arnold

Arnold has emphasized the need for a strong collective effort and tactical discipline, urging Iraq’s players to seize the moment and turn even a draw into qualification with a decisive away performance.

The Iraqi team continues training in Basra as the coaching staff studies UAE’s strengths and weaknesses, while adjusting plans to cover for the absentees and bolster the attacking threat that faded in the first leg.

With the two-legged tie presenting a direct route to the global playoff, the mood inside the camp is hopeful. The staff hope Ammar Mohsen’s addition can inject fresh energy into the attack and help overturn the deficit in a decisive return.

Historically, Iraq’s meetings with the UAE have been intense and closely fought. The matchup remains a focal point for fans who crave a return to the World Cup stage, with both sides eager to prove their mettle on the grand stage in 2026.

As the countdown to Basra continues, the narrative is filled with a mix of history, pressure, and the possibility of a new chapter in Iraqi football history, culminating in a long-awaited World Cup return.

In a broader context, the rivalry between Iraq and the UAE is steeped in regional significance across Asia and the Arab world, heightening the stakes for this critical playoff match.

And while Iraq awaits a second World Cup appearance, the country’s fans, players, and coaches nurture the hope that Basra will become the stage for a revival that could echo for years to come.

As ever, history looms large: Iraq’s solo World Cup in 1986 remains their benchmark, with the UAE’s single appearance in 1990 a painful reminder of how focused and fragile football dreams can be.

Message from Arnold

Arnold’s call for unity and resilience underlines the seriousness of the assignment: a win over the UAE would catapult Iraq toward the global playoff and a real shot at a second World Cup appearance.

With Basra’s atmosphere set to roar, the players know that every pass, run, and shot could write a new page in Iraq’s football history—pencil sharpened, the nets ready to sing.

And if you’re wondering about the odds: the odds aren’t a betting slip here, they’re a script where the final act is a goal—preferably for Iraq.