The Iraq national team enters today’s second leg against the United Arab Emirates with everything on the line — a win, a draw, or a loss will dramatically change their path in the AFC 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. The first leg in Abu Dhabi ended in a tense 1–1 draw, leaving the door wide open as both teams head to Basra for the decisive match.

Iraq will host the match in front of their passionate home fans, and with no away-goal rule in play, the draw from the first leg doesn’t give either side a strategic advantage.

Unless they find a way to finish strongly, one team’s World Cup dream will end tonight. For Iraq, it’s about turning home support into a victory; for the UAE, it’s about rewriting their qualifying narrative and moving on to the next phase.

What happens if Iraq beat UAE today?

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