Basra, Iraq – In a moment that will be etched in Iraqi football history, Iraq defeated the United Arab Emirates (UAE) 2-1 in a dramatic World Cup qualifying match. A penalty converted by Amir Al-Ammari 17 minutes into stoppage time secured the victory, sending the home crowd at Basra International Stadium into a frenzy. The win keeps Iraq's hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup alive, advancing them to the intercontinental playoff round.
The match was the second leg of their Asian Football Confederation (AFC) playoff, with the first leg in Abu Dhabi ending in a 1-1 draw. With everything on the line, both teams battled fiercely for a chance to advance in the World Cup qualification process.
The UAE drew first blood in the 52nd minute when Caio Lucas, a Brazilian-born forward, slotted the ball past Iraqi goalkeeper Jalal Hassan after a through pass from Yahia Nader. The visitors nearly doubled their advantage moments later, but Nicolas Gimenez's volley struck the crossbar.
Trailing 1-0, Iraq needed a spark, and it came from their substitutes. In the 66th minute, Mohanad Ali headed in a free-kick from Al-Ammari, with a slight deflection off Nader, to level the score. The goal injected new life into the Iraqi side, who began to press for a winner.
The game appeared headed for extra time, but drama ensued deep into stoppage time. Ali again became central to the action, heading the ball, which then struck Nader's arm. After consulting the pitchside monitor, the referee awarded a penalty to Iraq. Al-Ammari stepped up and calmly converted the spot-kick, sending the ball high into the net as the goalkeeper dived the wrong way.
The final whistle sparked jubilant celebrations among the Iraqi players and fans. The victory propels Iraq into the intercontinental playoff in March 2026, where they will compete with teams from other confederations for a coveted spot in the World Cup. The opponents include Bolivia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, New Caledonia, and two teams from CONCACAF.
For the UAE, the loss marks the end of their World Cup qualifying campaign. Despite a strong performance, they were undone by Iraq's late surge and the dramatic penalty decision.
Iraq has not qualified for the World Cup since 1986. The "Lions of Mesopotamia" will now have to navigate the intercontinental playoff to realize their World Cup dream. Coached by Graham Arnold, Iraq will aim to continue their impressive run and secure a place in the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
