Overview
- Amir Al-Ammari converted a late penalty to seal a 2-1 win in Basra and a 3-2 aggregate victory over the UAE.
- Caio Lucas put the UAE ahead after halftime before Mohanad Ali’s header leveled the match for Iraq.
- The first leg in Abu Dhabi finished 1-1, with Ali Al Hamadi scoring for Iraq and Luan Pereira equalizing for the UAE.
- Iraq move on to the six-team inter-confederation playoffs in Mexico in March, joining DR Congo, Bolivia, New Caledonia and two CONCACAF sides with two World Cup berths at stake.
- Basra staged the decider before more than 60,000 fans after declaring a public holiday, with free train travel for supporters and international TV coverage including beIN Sports; the UAE federation organized private flights for traveling fans.