The national football team coach, Romanian Olaru Cosmin, confirmed the team's readiness to face their Iraqi counterpart on Tuesday at Basra Stadium in the Asian playoff qualifier for the 2026 World Cup. Cosmin emphasized that the team will fight until the end to preserve their chances of qualifying for the World Cup, pointing out that they will face significant challenges, including the large crowd of Iraqi supporters at the match. He added that he has strived to prepare the team for the match in the best possible way, anticipating the variables of the game. At the start of the press conference held today at Basra Stadium, Cosmin stated: 'The situation is now clear for both teams, and of course, no one will be happy if they don't win.' He continued: 'The team was welcomed with great enthusiasm in Iraq, and I expect a large turnout of fans for the match.' Addressing the public, Cosmin said that the players will give their all, and the team will do its best in the match.
