Iraq vs UAE prediction 18.11.2025 | World Cup 2026 Qualification

Iraq go into this second-leg match buoyed by a strong recent run. In their last six matches across all competitions, they have remained unbeaten, registering four wins and two draws, including a 1-1 draw with the UAE in the first leg. One of their most significant recent results came in October, when Zidane Iqbal scored a late winner in a 1-0 away victory over Indonesia, keeping Iraq’s playoff hopes alive. They subsequently showed immense resilience and character to withstand the attacking force of Saudi Arabia, earning a 0-0 draw away from home - enough to secure their place in the final round of the AFC World Cup qualifiers.

The United Arab Emirates enter this decisive second leg with a mixture of confidence and nerves. After drawing 1-1 at home in the first leg, coach Cosmin Olăroiu emphasised that his players must be “at their best” to close out the tie. The UAE showed resilience in that opening match, but they will likely face a hostile atmosphere in Basra, where Iraq have recorded back-to-back wins across all competitions. However, the UAE have performed better than expected on the road en route to the AFC World Cup qualification finals, having lost only once in their last three away fixtures.