Article by Tudor Belivacă – Published on Thursday, 13 November 2025, 20:03 / Updated on Thursday, 13 November 2025 20:05
The United Arab Emirates, the team led by the Romanian Cosmin Olăroiu, drew with Iraq, score 1-1 in the play-off round for the inter-confederations play-off of the 2026 World Championship.
The return of the dam will be contested on November 18, on the field of those from Iraq. If Cosmin Olăroiu's team fails to prevail, it will lose any chance to qualify for the final tournament.
Cosmin Olăroiu's mission gets complicated after the home draw with Iraq
Iraq opened the scoring through Al Hamadi in the 10th minute, after a confusing phase in the defense of Cosmin Olăroiu's team. The UAE quickly recovered and equalized through Luan Pereira after a cross from Abdalla Ramadan.
After a balanced first half with phases at both goals, the second half was devoid of great opportunities. Both teams had two shots on goal, but without giving the goalkeepers much trouble. Despite the drought of opportunities, Caio Lucas scored for Olăroiu's team in the 90th+6th minute, but the goal was canceled for a clear offside.
How the UAE qualify for the 2026 World Cup
The winning team after the UAE v Iraq double leg will qualify for the inter-confederation play-offs, where the last two tickets to next summer's final tournament will be awarded.
6 teams will participate in the play-offs in March, which will be distributed as follows:
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ASIA: the winner of the round 5 play-off
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AFRICA: Round 2 play-off winner
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NORTH AMERICA: best two 2 places from round 3
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SOUTH AMERICA: 7th place in the single qualifying round (Bolivia)
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OCEANIA: 2nd place from round 3 (New Caledonia)
FINAL » United Arab Emirates – Iraq 2-1
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Click HERE for more details and match statistics
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They scored: Luan Pereira 18' / Al Hamadi 10'
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Min. 90+6: Caio Lucas scored the goal to make it 2-1, but it was ruled out for offside
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Min. 18: The team led by Cosmin Olăroiu equalized. Luan Pereira headed in a cross from the right flank
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Min. 10: Iraq scored through Al Hamadi. Hashem crossed into the box, and Al Hamadi resumed after a tumble in Olăroiu's defense.
United Arab Emirates – Iraq, starting teams
United Arab Emirates: Eisa – Adil S., Amaral, Gimenez, Luan Pereira, Meloni, Nader Y., Pimenta Peres Lopes, Ramadan A., Suhail H., Zouhir
Coach: Cosmin Olăroiu
Iraq: Hachim J. – Al Ammari, Al Hamadi, Ali H., Doski, Farji, Hashem, Jasim, Meme, Sher, Tahseen
Coach: Graham Arnold
