The UAE's 2026 World Cup quest takes them to Basra on Tuesday as the national team face Iraq in a play-off second leg.

Whoever wins the match, in what is the final phase of Asian qualifying, will keep alive their hopes of sealing a spot in the 48-team finals being held in North America next summer.

For the loser, the dream is over until qualifying begins for the next tournament in 2030 which is being jointly hosted by Morocco, Portugal, and Spain.

What happened in first leg?

Last Thursday in Abu Dhabi saw Iraq forward Ali Al Hamadi fire his team in front with a close-range finish in the 11th minute.

UAE

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