With this result, the UAE are no longer in contention for a 2026 World Cup berth. Instead, it’s Iraq who keep their hopes alive, as their 2-1 win has given them a ticket to the FIFA inter-confederation playoff for a World Cup spot next year.

Needless to say, this is as heartbreaking as it could’ve been for the UAE, who made a big effort in pursuit of a World Cup berth. They had made it to this stage after finishing the fourth round of the AFC Qualifiers as the Group A runners-up with three points, having beaten Oman before losing to Qatar, who won the group.

Iraq win dramatic series vs UAE for 2026 World Cup playoff spot

However, they knew how challenging this series could be. Iraq finished tied on points (4) and goal differential (+1) with Saudi Arabia in the fourth round, but having less goals scored (1 compared to Saudi Arabia’s 3) forced them to compete for a playoff spot.

The first leg in Abu Dhabi finished level, with Luanzinho cancelling out Ali Al-Hamadi’s opener. The second leg was also evenly-matched, with Caio Lucas breaking the deadlock after 52′ before Mohanad Ali made things level only 14 minutes later.

In the end, a VAR review in stoppage time determined a handball inside UAE’s box, paving the way for Iraq’s game-winning penalty goal. While this leaves the UAE national team empty-handed, it allows Iraq to continue dreaming of a World Cup spot.

Iraq qualify for inter-confederation playoffs: How do they work?

Now, Iraq will switch their attention to the FIFA World Cup 26 Play-Off Tournament, where the final two tickets to the 2026 event in North America will be up for grabs.

This event, to be held in March 2026, will have six participant teams from five different confederations. Iraq will be the AFC representative, whereas Bolivia will be the Conmebol team, RD Congo the CAF side, and New Caledonia represent Oceania. The two Concacaf representatives will be known on Tuesday, Nov. 18.

These six teams will be split into two brackets of three teams, with both bracket winners qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. The teams will be seeded into brackets based on their position at the FIFA World Ranking. Each bracket will include two unseeded teams facing each other in a semifinal, with the winner advancing to the final against a seeded team.

Iraq will host the match in front of their passionate home fans, and with no away-goal rule in play, the draw from the first leg doesn’t give either side a strategic advantage.

Unless they find a way to finish strongly, one team’s World Cup dream will end tonight. For Iraq, it’s about turning home support into a victory; for the UAE, it’s about rewriting their qualifying narrative and moving on to the next phase.

What happens if Iraq beat UAE today?

If Iraq gains the upper hand in Basra, they will advance to the intercontinental playoff in March 2026 — the final route toward the 48-team World Cup. A victory at home would reward their resilience and give them a chance to face a team from another confederation for a spot at the finals.

What happens if Iraq and UAE tie?

A draw sends the match into extra time, and potentially penalties, since the away-goal rule does not apply in this playoff round. Both teams remain alive, but their fate will rest on a few gritty final minutes in Basra.

What happens if Iraq lose to UAE today?

A defeat would end Iraq’s World Cup qualifying campaign for 2026, handing the advantage to the UAE — who would then advance to the intercontinental playoff instead.

The battle continues for United Arab Emirates, they need to win this game at all costs to stay strong in the 3th sport and advance to the fourth round of the AFC qualifiers. The team has a negative record with 2-3-4 and 9 points.

South Korea were dominant in the Third Round with 7-2-0 overall and 23 points, only two teams had such dominant records in the AFC qualifiers, the others being the Iranians with 22 points and 7-1-1.

United Arab Emirates vs South Korea: Date

United Arab Emirates and South Korea play for the 2022 AFC World Cup Qualifiers Third Round on Tuesday, March 29 at Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai. The home team must play the same way they did against the visitors on November 11, 2021, they lost that game 0-1 but the defensive strategy was effective.

United Arab Emirates vs South Korea: Time by state in the US

ET: 9:45 AM
CT: 8:45 AM
MT: 7:45 AM
PT: 6:45 AM

TV Channel in the US to watch United Arab Emirates vs South Korea at the 2022 AFC World Cup Qualifiers Third Round

This game for the 2022 AFC World Cup Qualifiers Third Round, United Arab Emirates and South Korea at the Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai on Tuesday, March 29, will be broadcast in the US by Paramount+