Photos

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.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/asian_qualifiers.html/video/afc-asian-qualifiers™-road-to-26-–-play-offs-knockout-stage-preview

Indonesia, Kluivert part ways

Thu, 16 Oct, 2025

Indonesia, Kluivert part ways

Jakarta: Patrick Kluivert's stint as Indonesia head coach is over after they "mutually" agreed to part ways on Thursday following the end of their campaign to reach the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Indonesia's hopes of qualifying for the tournament in North America next year ended with defeats to Iraq and Saudi Arabia in the past week.

The 49-year-old Netherlands and Barcelona great, who was only appointed in January, was in charge for eight matches.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/asian_qualifiers.html/video/asianqualifiers-road-to-26-playoffs-|-group-b-saudi-arabia-0-0-iraq

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

Renard credits qualification to Saudi Arabia fans

Wed, 15 Oct, 2025

Renard credits qualification to Saudi Arabia fans

Jeddah: Herve Renard praised Saudi Arabia’s fans after pushing the country to qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Finals with a 0-0 draw against Iraq in Jeddah on Tuesday while also paying tribute to his late mother.

The draw at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium ensured the Saudis finished on top of Group B in the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Playoffs as the country joined Japan, Korea Republic, Australia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Uzbekistan, Jordan and Qatar at the 48-team tournament.

We deserved to qualify, says Qatar's Lopetegui

Wed, 15 Oct, 2025

We deserved to qualify, says Qatar's Lopetegui

Doha: Julen Lopetegui paid tribute to his players and the fans after Qatar booked their ticket to the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Tuesday.

A 2-1 win over the United Arab Emirates confirmed the two-time AFC Asian Cup™ winners' first ever FIFA World Cup appearance through the Qualifiers with Lopetegui expressing his pride in his players' never-say-die attitude.