The Iraqi national team qualified for the 2026 World Cup intercontinental play-off following a thrilling 2-1 victory over the UAE in the second leg of the Asian play-off at Basra International Stadium.
The first leg in Abu Dhabi ended in a 1-1 draw, and the score remained 1-1 in the second leg until the 104th minute.
In the dying moments of the match, the referee awarded a penalty after consulting VAR for a handball by UAE defender Nader Yahya. Amir Al-Ammari converted the penalty, securing Iraq’s second goal and their place in the intercontinental play-off.
The intercontinental play-off is scheduled to take place in Mexico during the next international break in March 2026, from the 21st to the 30th.
Six teams from all continents will participate in the 2026 World Cup intercontinental play-off, with the exception of Europe, which has its own play-off from which four teams will qualify for the World Cup.
The two highest-ranked teams in the world will receive a bye to the second round and advance directly to the play-off match.
A draw to determine each team’s path will take place next Thursday, November 20, 2025, at FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland.
Bolivia from South America, New Caledonia from Oceania, the Democratic Republic of Congo from Africa, and Iraq from Asia have already qualified. Two more teams from North America will be determined at the conclusion of the final round of CONCACAF qualifying matches tomorrow morning.
