The match represents a lifetime encounter for both teams, as each one looks to compensate for what was lost in the previous stages of the qualifiers and strives for a win that will secure them a spot in the World Cup playoff, which will take place in March 2026. The "White" team (UAE national team) seeks to polish their image and search for the precious win that was lost to them at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, when they drew with "Lions of the Mesopotamia" (Iraqi national team) in a match in which the home side looked below par. Today, the UAE national football team is aiming to achieve the difficult: to qualify for the World Cup 2026 playoff when they visit their Iraqi counterpart as guests at 8 PM UAE time.
