October 13 – The final two AFC group qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup will go down to the wire on Tuesday with two winner takes all matches.
Iraq ended Indonesia’s hopes of automatic qualification with a 1-0 win in Group B, while the UAE dispatched Oman’s hopes of qualifying for their first World Cup finals with a 3-2 comeback win in Group A.
Iraq now meet Saudi Arabia for the 2026 automatic qualifying slot. The Saudis beat Indonesia 3-2 in the first group game.
The UAE need just a point against Qatar to qualify after Qatar drew with Oman. A point would guarantee Qatar a spot in the play-off against Iraq or Saudi Arabia for the AFC slot at the 2026 FIFA inter-confederation play-in.
Iraq’s hero was Zidane Iqbal who scored 14 minutes to dispatch Indonesia.
Graham Arnold’s Iraq side are looking to qualify for their first finals since 1986. Saudi Arabia are looking for their fourth consecutive qulaification.
Despite finishing bottom of the group, Patrick Kluivert’s Indonesian side had made a fluent start with Calvin Verdonk seeing his attempt from distance deflected wide while Kevin Diks glanced a header across the face of goal. Thom Haye dragged his shot off target soon after.
While the Indonesians had the better of the first hour, their failure to take chances was their downfall. As the game opened up defender Rizky Ridho gave away possession deep inside his own half and the ball eventually ended up with former Manchester United midfielder Iqbal who fired left-footed into the bottom corner of Paes’ goal.
Iraq defender Zaid Tasheen, who had earlier picked up a yellow card for a foul on Ole Romeny, was sent off in the dying seconds but Iraq held on for the win.
UAE comeback
United Arab Emirates had to wait until the 83rd minute to complete their comeback against Oman.
Oman’s early pressure gave them the edge and the UAE were a goal down in the 12th minute when Oman’s Amjad Al Harthi drilled home Majed Hassan’s cross, which took a big deflection off Kouame Kouadio.
Oman were almost two up eight minutes later Issam Al Sabhi intercepted a clearance only for Oman’s keeper to recover.
With the Emiratis increasingly in control they found their equaliser on 76 minutes Marcus Meloni headed past Al Mukhaini.
Seven minutes later the UAE had the vital three points giving them the advantage in the final group game against hosts Qatar,
Caio Lucas struck a curling effort from distance which dipped and bounced past a sprawling Al Mukhaini into the bottom right corner.
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