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.

Abu Dhabi advises fans to arrive early for Al Ain, Al Wahda match
Focused Fils making a statement ahead of French Open
Atletico hit back to hold Arsenal in cagey Champions League semi-final first leg
Lucky loser Potapova makes history with Madrid Open semi-final run
Britain's Draper to miss French Open with ongoing knee injury
