World Cup: Iraq and UAE in a Fight to Stay Alive

Iraq vs United Arab Emirates

Iraq and the Unite Arab Emirates come face to face once more as the two nations have another chance to keep their World Cup 2026 dreams alive, if they win and make it to an inter-continental play-off next March.

They have both had plenty of chances in the long qualification route from Asia, and now they are in a sudden death situation when they meet at the Basra International Stadium on Tuesday. The first leg finished 1-1 so World Cup: Iraq vs UAE is on a knife-edge.

In another fascinating week of World Cup qualifiers it’s hotting up in Africa and, while Europe and South America’s big guns are all ready to line up in the USA, the Iraq vs UAE betting odds say we have a cracker in store in Asia on Tuesday.

Aussie Graham Arnold is Iraq’s manager. He made his name as a striker for the Socceroos, scoring 19 goals in 56 matches, and 161 goals in domestic football across Australia and in Belgium. UAE boss Cosmin Olaroui, a former Saudi Arabia head coach was a powerful centre back who liked to join the attack at set pieces and score a goal.

I suspect the performance of these two nations will reflect the characters of their managers and that will make for a match well worth watching.

 

Talking Points

In a hard fought first leg Iraq held the UAE to a 1-1 draw at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium last Thursday. The Iraqis seized on some sloppy UAE defending to take an early lead through Ali Al Hamadi, but Luanzinho levelled eight minutes later for the hosts. There were chances for both sides in the second half but the two defences came out on top, leaving them all square as they prepare for Tuesday’s showdown in Iraq.

Skippered by Keeper Jalal Hassan, who has 96 caps, Iraq have two potent strikers in Mohanad Ali, who has 24 goals from 63 internationals, alongside Aymen Hussein who has plundered 32 goals from 90 games. The UAE is also captained by their stopper, Khalid Eisa who has racked up 93 appearances for his country. And watch out for 21 year old striker Sultan Adil, who has scored eight goals in 16 games for the UAE.

 

Route to the Fifth Round Play-off

There has been a long and exhausting route to this final match in Asian qualifying and both Iraq and the UAE have had their chances to qualify before now. Iraq made a good start by winning Group F with six victories from six. In the third round they had a tougher challenge and reached the fourth round thanks to a third place in Group B, finishing behind South Korea and Jordan. In the fourth round they missed another chance to qualify, finishing behind Saudi Arabia in Group B on goals scored alone.

Meanwhile the UAE won five games from six to top Group H, drawing their match with Bahrain 1-1; then in the third round they landed third in Group A behind Iran and Uzbekistan, before losing to Qatar in the fourth round to finish second.

The winner of this clash will join Bolivia, New Caledonia, one African qualifier and two teams from CONCACAF in the inter-confederation play-offs.

 

History

Both teams have been at the World Cup finals before, but only once. On Tuesday the Iraqi squad will look to capitalize on home advantage and a passionate crowd to secure a spot in the World Cup for the first time since 1986, while UAE’s appearance came four years later in the iconic tournament held in Italy, as West Germany beat Argentina in the final.

In terms of head to head Iraq vs UAE results these two teams have met 18 times, and the Iraqi’s have won six to UAE’s five, with seven draws.

Both nations are in good recent form; Iraq have won four and drawn two of their last six games, while the UAE have won four, drawn one and lost one.

 

Betting Tip

At 57^th in the FIFA World Rankings Iraq are ten places above the UAE and, with home advantage they must fancy their chances on Tuesday. But there was nothing to choose between the two nations in the first leg and, at SBOTOP odds of 2.00 for Iraq and the UAE at 3.95 there is a case to be made for both teams.

I think it will be a tight and nervy affair with so much at stake; and I won’t be surprised if Iraq and the UAE are still tied after another 90 minutes.

   

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