UAE-Iraq World Cup qualifier playoff ends in draw

The UAE and Iraq played out a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier playoff in Abu Dhabi.

Ali Al Hamadi gave Iraq the lead in the 10th minute at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium but the UAE levelled through a Luanzinho header eight minutes later.

The result leaves everything to play for in the return leg on November 18 in Basra.

The winner of the two-legged playoff will advance to the intercontinental playoffs in March, when the last two remaining places at the 48-team tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico will be at stake.