Iraq’s World Cup Dream Hits a Hurdle as UAE Set the Stage for a Must-Win Playoff
Iraq’s national team faces a tough setback ahead of a two-leg playoff against the United Arab Emirates for a spot in the intercontinental playoff path toward the 2026 World Cup. The first leg is in Abu Dhabi with the return in Basra on November 18. Iraq hasn’t qualified for a World Cup since 1986, making every step of this playoff crucial. Coach Graham Arnold is reshaping the squad, including a notable call-up to Hussein Ali to replace Yousif Al-Amin due to medical reasons. The stage is set for drama, nerves, and a potential historic march—or a reminder that odds sometimes prefer coffee breaks over miracles.