soccer Iraqi's Mohanad Ali, left, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's first goal during the 2026 World Cup play off second leg match between Iraq and UAE, in Basra, Iraq. (AP)

BASRA, Iraq, Nov 19: The Iraqi national team booked its place in the intercontinental playoff for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a thrilling 2–1 victory over the UAE in the second leg of the Asian playoff at Basra International Stadium, following a 1–1 draw in the first leg.

Caio Lucas opened the scoring for the UAE in the 52nd minute, but Iraq responded in the 66th minute when Muhannad Ali headed in an indirect free kick taken by Ali, with the ball deflecting off a UAE defender into the net.

The dramatic winner came deep into stoppage time, as Ameer Al-Ammari converted a penalty in the 17th minute of second-half added time. The penalty was awarded after a handball by the UAE’s Yahya Nader, confirmed via VAR.

This victory sends Iraq to the intercontinental playoff, scheduled for March, where they will face teams from Africa, Oceania, South America, and two representatives from CONCACAF (North, Central America, and the Caribbean).

The two sides reached this stage after a grueling 25-month qualifying campaign, featuring more than 100 international matches and over 600 goals scored.