A valuable 1-1 draw that brings Iraq closer to the dream

The 1-1 draw in Abu Dhabi left Iraq with everything set to finish the job at home. The team led by Ali Al Hamadi, who scored the Iraqi goal in the 10th minute, showed character away from home and now has a historic opportunity to seal their place in the Intercontinental Playoff in front of their own fans.

Although Luan Pereira equalized for the UAE and the hosts finished stronger, Iraq held on long enough to take the series to the ideal scenario: a packed, electric Baghdad for a do-or-die final.

What Iraq needs to advance

The outlook is favorable. Iraq will qualify for the intercontinental playoff if…

• They win at home.
• They draw 0-0, if the away-goals rule is applied, since they scored in the first leg.
• They draw 1-1, 2-2, 3-3…, if the away-goals rule does not apply.

As with the UAE, the big uncertainty lies in whether the AFC will enforce the away-goals rule in this round. In recent tournaments it has been removed, but this playoff has its own regulations. If the rule applies, it could drastically alter what happens with any draw in the second leg.

Thirty years later: the chance to return to a playoff

If Iraq advances, it will return to a World Cup playoff for the first time since 1994.
This generation now has the chance to make history and fight for a World Cup berth in:

🇲🇽 Monterrey (BBVA Stadium)
🇲🇽 Guadalajara (Estadio Akron)

Two cities that will host the Intercontinental Playoff that will award the final tickets to the 2026 World Cup.