UAE – The UAE national team is in a crucial race to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. It will play a play-off match against Iraq in the Asian play-offs. This match will determine who will advance to the global play-offs for the World Cup.
This match represents the last chance for the two Arab teams to compete for a ticket to the World Cup. The winner of the match between the UAE and Iraq will advance directly to the global play-off. The play-off includes six teams from different continents (excluding Europe), competing for only two places in the 2026 World Cup.
Details of the 2026 World Cup global play-off
The global play-off matches are scheduled to be held in March 2026 on neutral ground. Reports indicate that FIFA intends to hold the play-off in Mexico, one of the three host countries for the World Cup, along with Canada and the United States.
Teams participating in the global play-off
A team from Asia (winner of the UAE vs. Iraq match)
A team from Africa (to be determined next November)
Two teams from North America
Bolivia (from South America)
New Caledonia (from Oceania)
Supplement system
The 4 lowest ranked teams play knockout semi-finals.
The two highest-ranked teams await in the final.
The winners of the two final matches qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup.
A historic opportunity for the UAE
بهذا النظام، تبقى آمال الإمارات قائمة في الظهور في نهائيات كأس العالم للمرة الثانية في تاريخها بعد المشاركة الأولى عام 1990. ولكن المهمة لن تكون سهلة. تبدأ من مواجهة صعبة أمام العراق، ثم استكمال مشوار طويل أمام خصوم من قارات مختلفة في ملحق دولي عالي التنافسية.
This is the first time such a number of teams have participated in an international play-off organized in this manner. This comes as part of the historic expansion of the 2026 World Cup, which will include 48 teams instead of 32.
