United Arab Emirates and Iraq tie 1-1 in first leg of 2026 World Cup qualifying playoff

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The United Arab Emirates and Iraq tied 1-1 in the initial match of their 2026 World Cup qualifying playoff in Abu Dhabi. The teams will face each other again in Basra for the return fixture in the fifth round of Asian qualifying. The victor will progress to FIFA’s intercontinental playoff round in March, where six teams from five confederations will vie for two spots at the expanded 48-team World Cup next summer. In front of a capacity crowd of 36,000 at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium, Iraq, who appeared in the World Cup just once in 1986, took the early lead within 10 minutes. The UAE defense couldn’t clear a long free kick, leading to Ali Al-Hamadi finding the net from close range, granting Iraq, under the guidance of former Australia coach Graham Arnold, a 1-0 advantage.