Six-Decade Duel: UAE and Iraq Chase a World Cup Playoff Dream in Abu Dhabi
12 November 2025
Rising Stakes Ahead of the World Cup Playoff
The renewed clash between Iraq and the United Arab Emirates returns Thursday as the two national teams meet at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi for the first leg of the AFC Asian qualifying playoff that leads to the global playoff and, ultimately, the 2026 World Cup in North America.
Origins of the rivalry
Historically, the tale traces back to decisive duels that helped Iraq, the “Lions of the Euphrates,” reach Mexico 1986 — the Iraqs only World Cup appearance — while the UAE eyes a second World Cup after Italy 1990.
To date, the teams have met six times in World Cup qualifiers, with Iraq leading 3-2 and one draw.
The 1985 qualifiers between Iraq and the UAE stood out as a watershed, guiding the Iraqis toward their 1986 breakthrough in Mexico, a landmark moment in Iraqi football history.
In the first leg held in Abu Dhabi, Iraq stunned the hosts with a 3-2 victory. In the return, the UAE pressed with two early goals by Fahd Khamis and Adnan Al-Taliani, only for substitute Kareem Saddam to strike a late equalizer for Iraq, leaving the tie to be decided on away goals, which ultimately favored Iraq.
From there, Iraq advanced to the third and final round, continuing a successful run by defeating Syria 3-1 on aggregate to secure a historic qualification that etched the names of a golden generation into history.
Decades later, the rivalry resurfaced in 2022 World Cup qualifying, a phase that saw Iraq triumph over the UAE in crucial clashes, while the UAE regrouped to finish third in the group after a stunning late-season victory over group leaders South Korea, thereby reaching the AFC playoff stage.
The 2018 World Cup qualifiers also added chapters to the saga, with the UAE claiming a 2-0 win in the first leg and Iraq replying with a 1-0 victory in the return, leaving the tie balanced heading into the final stretch.
A new chapter of the duel
Now, the two sides meet again in the fifth round of Asian qualifying as both seek a ticket to the global playoff and a step closer to the 2026 finals in North America.
Beyond World Cup routes, the two nations have shared memorable moments in other competitions. In the Gulf Cup final in Bahrain, the UAE captured the title in a dramatic 2-1 triumph, with Omar Abdulrahman “Amouri” providing the spark, Younis Mahmoud replying for Iraq, and Ismail Hamadi sparking the celebration in the 107th minute to seal the championship for the UAE.
In the 2015 AFC Asian Cup in Australia, the two sides met for third place. The UAE opened via Ahmed Khalil, Iraq hit back through Walid Salim and Amjad Kalaf, but Mabkoot’s late strike ensured a 3-2 UAE victory and third place.
In the 1996 Asian Cup in the UAE, a quarterfinal epic unfolded. A golden goal by Abdulrahman Ibrahim at 103 minutes sent the UAE through and marked the competition’s first golden goal, a moment that remains a landmark in both teams’ histories.
As these teams prepare for the current phase, the match carries the weight of three decades of rivalry, the hope of a World Cup berth, and a shared longing to bring Asian football into the global spotlight in the next edition.
Punchlines to keep things light: If this rivalry were a coffee, it would be an espresso—strong, bitter, and never without a kick. And if you think this is dramatic, wait until the referee’s whistle—even the palm trees in Abu Dhabi will lean in to listen.
