Adnan Darjal, Chairman of the Iraqi Football Federation's Board of Directors, stated that the UAE national team consists of good professional players, but 'Lions of the Euphrates' are ready for the two decisive matches. The first match will be held next Thursday in Abu Dhabi, and the return match on the 18th of the same month in the city of Basra in Iraq, as part of the Asian playoff for qualification to the 2026 World Cup. Darjal said in press statements: 'We did not provide good technical levels in the last Asian playoff against Indonesia and Saudi Arabia, and we also failed in the direct qualification after losing important points in matches against Kuwait and Palestine.' He added: 'The match is decisive, and we hope that the players will be at their best, and we are in contact with the players.'
