The national football team held its main and final training session today at Basra Stadium, which will host the anticipated match against their Iraqi counterpart tomorrow. This is the second leg of the Asian playoff for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier. The team's delegation arrived in Basra yesterday from Abu Dhabi to thoroughly prepare for the match from all aspects and to get accustomed to the pitch where this crucial and decisive match for the 'White' will take place. The team is aiming to return to their country with a ticket to the next round after missing a golden opportunity for direct qualification to the World Cup through the last playoff held in Doha. The result of tomorrow's match will determine which team from the Asian continent will advance to the intercontinental playoff, which will be held in Mexico next March, after the first leg in Abu Dhabi ended in a 1-1 draw. Romanian coach, Ilario Cosmin, is working to ensure the players are fully ready technically, physically, mentally, and tactically, as well as to finalize the starting lineup for the match based on each player's physical condition, especially as the last match in Abu Dhabi revealed some technical weaknesses for the coaching staff that need quick intervention and correction, particularly in defense and the forward line, as the team has no option but to win tomorrow and secure a spot in the next World Cup qualifying playoff. On the Iraqi team's side, they have been holding daily training sessions, and some changes have occurred in their ranks. The coaching staff led by Australian coach Graham Arnold has called up several players for tomorrow's second leg, including Saad Nataq, Amar Mohsin, and Mohammed Jawad. Iraqi national team player Saad Nataq said in media statements to the official website of the Iraqi Football Association: 'The Iraqi national team relies on the presence and support of Iraqi fans in the stadium by more than 50%,' describing the match as 'pivotal for the issue of his country's team qualifying for the World Cup.' It is worth noting that the Asian Football Confederation has appointed a refereeing team led by Japanese international referee Yosuke Araki to officiate the match.
