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#AsianQualifiers – Vote for your Top Goal of the Playoffs presented by VISA

Thu, 20 Nov, 2025

#AsianQualifiers – Vote for your Top Goal of the Playoffs presented by VISA

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Asian Qualifiers ™ – Road to 26 Playoffs served up the full spread: late drama, nerveless finishes and strikes you could frame.

We've shortlisted the pick of the goals from the Playoffs — some born of slick team craft, others from pure individual audacity. Relive the moments below and back your favourite. 

#AsianQualifiers – Match Predictor Recap

Thu, 20 Nov, 2025

#AsianQualifiers – Match Predictor Recap

Kuala Lumpur: From Matchday 1 to the final playoff whistle, the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 served up everything: runaway leaders, shock upsets, late dramas, and those razor-edged calls that separated the cautious from the courageous.  

Here's the Post-Tournament Recap for Match Predictor players—best picks, biggest shocks, and the moments that swung leagues and ladders. 

www.the-afc.com/en/national/asian_qualifiers.html/video/asianqualifiers-road-to-26-playoffs-|-iraq-2-1-uae

Arnold: Iraq must continue working hard

Wed, 19 Nov, 2025

Arnold: Iraq must continue working hard

Basra: Graham Arnold urged his players to remain focused after Iraq secured a dramatic 2-1 win over the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday to seal place in the FIFA Playoff Tournament for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Amir Al Ammari struck a stoppage-time penalty to seal the win, following Mohanad Ali’s equaliser after Caio Lucas had opened the scoring for UAE with Iraq winning 3-2 on aggregate. 

www.the-afc.com/en/national/asian_qualifiers.html/photo/playoffs-knockout-stage-2nd-leg-iraq-v-uae

Iraq beat UAE to keep qualification hopes alive

Wed, 19 Nov, 2025

Iraq beat UAE to keep qualification hopes alive

Basra: Amir Al Ammari’s penalty 17 minutes into stoppage time secured a dramatic 2-1 win for Iraq over the United Arab Emirates in Basra on Tuesday to seal a 3-2 aggregate victory that takes Graham Arnold’s side into the Intercontinental Playoffs for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Al Ammari hit the winner after teammate Mohanad Ali had struck in the 65th minute to cancel out Caio Lucas’ 52nd minute opener for the visitors in the return leg of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26 Playoffs Knockout Stage second leg in front of a packed Basra International Stadium.

The win keeps Iraq’s FIFA World Cup dream alive as the country attempts to qualify for the Finals for the first time since 1986 by booking a place in the Playoffs, which will be held in March.

Preview - Playoffs Knockout Stage 2nd Leg: Iraq (1) v (1) UAE

Mon, 17 Nov, 2025

Preview - Playoffs Knockout Stage 2nd Leg: Iraq (1) v (1) UAE

Basra:  Iraq and the United Arab Emirates are set for another tantalising showdown in the second leg of their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Playoffs Knockout Stage on Tuesday.

The first leg in Abu Dhabi ended in a 1-1 draw, with Iraq taking the lead through Ali Al Hamadi, with Luanzinho equalising for the UAE. 

www.the-afc.com/en/national/asian_qualifiers.html/video/asianqualifiers-road-to-26-playoffs-|-uae-1-1-iraq

UAE's Olaroiu, Iraq's Arnold braced for tough return leg

Fri, 14 Nov, 2025

UAE's Olaroiu, Iraq's Arnold braced for tough return leg

Abu Dhabi: United Arab Emirates head coach Cosmin Olaroiu has called on his players to show courage as they prepare for the second leg of their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 Playoffs Knockout Stage tie against Iraq, following a 1-1 draw in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.

Olaroiu admitted his side had a difficult start in the first leg, conceding to Ali Al Hamadi in the 10th minute at a packed Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium.

However, the Emiratis quickly responded through Luanzinho, whose header eight minutes later kept the tie evenly poised.

Playoffs Knockout Stage - 1st Leg: UAE 1-1 Iraq

Fri, 14 Nov, 2025

Playoffs Knockout Stage - 1st Leg: UAE 1-1 Iraq

Abu Dhabi: Iraq and the United Arab Emirates will go into Tuesday’s second leg of their AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Playoffs Knockout Stage with the tie evenly poised after sharing a 1-1 draw in Abu Dhabi on Thursday that keeps their FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification hopes alive.

Ali Al Hamadi gave the Iraqis the lead in the 10th minute at a sold-out Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium but a Luanzinho header eight minutes later means the teams will go into the return clash in Basra with nothing between them.

The winners of the two-legged clash will advance to the FIFA Intercontinental Playoffs, which will be held in March, when the last two remaining places at the 48-team Finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico will be at stake.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/asian_qualifiers.html/photo/playoffs-knockout-stage-1st-leg-uae-v-iraq

Preview - Playoffs Knockout Stage: UAE v Iraq

Fri, 14 Nov, 2025

Preview - Playoffs Knockout Stage: UAE v Iraq

Abu Dhabi: United Arab Emirates and Iraq will put everything on the line when they meet in the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Playoffs Knockout Stage first leg on Thursday with a place in the FIFA Playoff Tournament as the prize.

The opportunity to join Australia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Jordan, Korea Republic, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan at the FIFA World Cup 2026 means nothing will be left to chance for either side.

UAE and Iraq arrived at this stage after both finished second in the Playoff stage played in October.