UAE to host Iraq for 2026 World Cup qualifiers

Thursday, 13 November 2025 06:30

By ARN News Staff

The UAE national football team will be hosting their Iraqi counterparts in Abu Dhabi on Thursday for the first leg of the Asian play-off rounds to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

The match will be held at 8:00 pm, located at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.

The second leg is set to proceed between the two teams on November 18 at 8:00 pm at Basra’s International Stadium in Iraq.

The winner between the two-legged tie will be able to earn a spot in March’s Inter-Confederation play-offs, marking a step closer to reaching the World Cup.

Both nations are playing to reach what would be their second World Cup, with Iraq only having featured at Mexico in 1986 and the UAE four years later in Italy.

More from Sports News

Samson rediscovers form with match-winning century for Chennai in IPL

Sanju Samson has struggled for form since being named Player of the Tournament at the T20 World Cup but the wicketkeeper-batter looked more like his old self on Saturday with an unbeaten 115 off 56 balls in Chennai's 23-run win over Delhi Capitals.
McIlroy's six-shot lead evaporates as Young surges at Masters

Rory McIlroy discovered again on Saturday that nothing at the Masters is secure as the defending champion's overnight six-shot advantage vanished in the Georgia heat and Cameron Young charged into a share of the lead at 11-under after the third round.
Belgium shock United States to reach Billie Jean King Cup Finals

Belgium knocked out 18-times champions the US to qualify for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals on Saturday, as Britain, Italy, Kazakhstan, Spain, Ukraine and Czech Republic also secured places in the season-ending team event alongside hosts China.
Ngumoha makes Anfield history, Salah seals Liverpool win

Liverpool's teenage winger Rio Ngumoha has become the club's youngest player to score a Premier League goal at Anfield on Saturday before Mohamed Salah struck four minutes later in a 2-0 win over Fulham that boosted their quest for a top-five finish.
Fury cruises to decision win over Makhmudov

Britain's former heavyweight world champion, Tyson Fury, has outclassed Russia's Arslanbek Makhmudov en route to a comprehensive points win on Saturday and then called for a showdown with compatriot Anthony Joshua.