Overview
- Iraq won the second leg 2-1 in Basra to take the tie 3-2 on aggregate after a 1-1 first leg in Abu Dhabi.
- Referee Yusuke Araki awarded the decisive spot-kick in the 107th minute after a VAR review judged Yahia Nader to have handled Mohanad Ali’s header.
- Amir Al-Ammari converted the penalty following a late change of taker directed by coach Graham Arnold.
- Caio Lucas had put the UAE ahead in the 52nd minute before substitute Mohanad Ali leveled with a 66th-minute header.
- Iraq now heads to a six-team intercontinental playoff in March for two 2026 berths, with reports indicating Mexico as the host and New Caledonia, DR Congo, and Bolivia already qualified.