Our Iraq vs UAE Prediction offers key insights as the race for an Intercontinental Playoff spot heats up this November.
Follow the two-leg Iraq vs. UAE series, which determines Asia’s representative for the Intercontinental Playoff in March 2026.
Will the Lions of Mesopotamia or Al-Abyad continue their quest to join the 2026 World Cup qualifiers?
For other predictions, results, and more updates, follow our World Cup 2026 coverage.
Iraq vs UAE: Match information
- Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers – AFC (Round 5)
- Stadium: Basra International Stadium (Basrah)
- Date: 18 Nov 2025
Match Preview
Iraq hosts the UAE in the second leg of a playoff between the AFC October Qualifier runner-ups.
Iraq finished second in Group B with four points, losing the tiebreaker to Saudi Arabia.
Iraq seeks its second World Cup spot, the first since 1986.
The UAE was runner-up to Qatar (four points) in Group A.
Al-Abyad is seeking a return to the World Cup after making its debut in 1990.
Stay updated on all developments by checking our World Cup 2026 schedules and fixtures.
Form Guide
Iraq
UAE
Iraq has won four of its last five matches and is unbeaten since losing 0-2 to South Korea on June 6, 2025.
Iraq recorded wins over Jordan (1-0), Hong Kong (2-1), Thailand (1-0), and Indonesia (1-0).
Only a 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia stopped Iraq from sweeping all five matches.
The UAE has also demonstrated consistency, winning four of its last five matches.
Al-Abyad was slowed by a 2-1 loss to Qatar in Asia qualifying on October 15, 2025.
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Head-to-Head
| Date | Competition | Home team | Away Team | Winner | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 25, 2022 | FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (AFC) | Iraq | United Arab Emirates | Iraq | 1-0 |
| October 13, 2021 | FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (AFC) | United Arab Emirates | Iraq | Draw | 2-2 |
| January 12, 2021 | International Friendly | United Arab Emirates | Iraq | Draw | 0-0 |
| November 29, 2019 | Gulf Cup | United Arab Emirates | Iraq | Iraq | 2-0 |
| January 3, 2018 | Gulf Cup | Iraq | United Arab Emirates | United Arab Emirates | 4-2 |
| September 5, 2017 | FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (AFC) | Iraq | United Arab Emirates | Iraq | 1-0 |
| November 15, 2016 | FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (AFC) | United Arab Emirates | Iraq | United Arab Emirates | 2-0 |
| January 30, 2015 | AFC Asian Cup | Iraq | United Arab Emirates | United Arab Emirates | 3-2 |
| November 21, 2014 | Gulf Cup | United Arab Emirates | Iraq | United Arab Emirates | 2-0 |
| January 18, 2013 | Gulf Cup | United Arab Emirates | Iraq | United Arab Emirates | 2-1 |
| January 15, 2011 | 2011 AFC Asian Cup | United Arab Emirates | Iraq | Iraq | 1-0 |
| November 23, 2010 | Gulf Cup | United Arab Emirates | Iraq | Draw | 0-0 |
| November 18, 2009 | International Friendly | United Arab Emirates | Iraq | Iraq | 1-0 |
| December 27, 2008 | International Friendly | United Arab Emirates | Iraq | Draw | 2-2 |
| January 31, 2008 | International Friendly | United Arab Emirates | Iraq | Iraq | 1-0 |
| December 16, 2004 | Gulf Cup | United Arab Emirates | Iraq | Draw | 1-1 |
| December 15, 1996 | 1996 AFC Asian Cup | United Arab Emirates | Iraq | United Arab Emirates | 1-0 |
| May 1, 1987 | Olympic Games Qualifiers AFC | United Arab Emirates | Iraq | Iraq | 3-0 |
| March 27, 1987 | Olympic Games Qualifiers AFC | Iraq | United Arab Emirates | Draw | 1-1 |
| September 27, 1985 | World Cup Qualifiers Asia | Iraq | United Arab Emirates | United Arab Emirates | 2-1 |
| September 20, 1985 | World Cup Qualifiers Asia | United Arab Emirates | Iraq | Iraq | 3-2 |
| October 10, 1983 | Olympic Games Qualifiers AFC | United Arab Emirates | Iraq | Draw | 2-2 |
| September 16, 1983 | Olympic Games Qualifiers AFC | Iraq | United Arab Emirates | Draw | 0-0 |
Source: Transfermarkt
Our Iraq vs. UAE prediction includes an in-depth analysis of the essential head-to-head matchup.
The record is nearly even, with Iraq edging ahead 8-8-7 (win-draw-loss) in 23 matches.
The Lions of Mesopotamia have won three of their last six head-to-head meetings, losing only once.
The UAE last defeated Iraq 4-2 in a Gulf Cup match on January 3, 2018.
Visit our FIFA World Cup 2026 website for more football news and other updates.
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Players to Watch
Iraq (Lions of Mesopotamia)
| Player | Position | Matches Played | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aymen Hussein | Forward | 13 | 8 |
| Ibrahim Bayesh | Midfielder | 18 | 2 |
| Ali Jasim | Forward | 18 | 2 |
United Arab Emirates (Al-Abyad)
| Player | Position | Matches Played | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fabio Lima | Forward | 11 | 8 |
| Harib Abdalla Al-Maazmi | Midfielder | 17 | 6 |
| Sultan Adil | Forward | 8 | 5 |
Source: ESPN
Iraq vs United Arab Emirates Prediction and Scoreline
Iraq 2-1 UAE
Expect a fierce contest between two teams eager to return to the World Cup.
Iraq holds a narrow H2H edge, but the UAE may have adapted after their first clash on November 14, 2025.
Both teams are on strong winning runs; momentum hinges on the victor of their first faceoff.
The match will feature top scorers: Iraq’s Aymen Hussein and the UAE’s Fabio Lima.
Check your favorite team’s latest odds by visiting our updated World Cup Odds page.
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