A World Cup lifeline is on the line as Iraq and the United Arab Emirates square up in a finely poised showdown for a place in the 2026 intercontinental playoffs.
Their first meeting in this fifth-round AFC qualifier ended all square, a 1-1 stalemate at Abu Dhabi's Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium. Ali Al Hamadi, currently on loan at Luton Town, struck early for Iraq in the 10th minute, only for Luan Pereira to hit back roughly eight minutes later, leaving this two-legged battle hanging in the balance.
Iraq have endured a rough stretch over the past year and a half, but the arrival of former Australia manager Graham Arnold has sparked noticeable improvement. The UAE, meanwhile, continues to hover on the brink of a long-awaited World Cup breakthrough, hoping this campaign finally pushes them over the line.
Here, GOAL brings you everything you need to know about how to watch, including TV channel, streaming details and more.
How to watch Iraq vs UAE online - TV channels & live streams
 | Fubo | Watch here |
 | Fanatiz | Watch here |
 | beIN SPORTS Connect | Watch here |
In the US, you can watch Iraq's national side play in the US on Fubo, Fanatiz and beIn Sports CONNECT. Fubo currently has a five-day free trial, so you can check out games for free.
Fans who are unable to watch the game can follow the live updates on GOAL.
READ MORE: How to get a free five-day pass with Fubo
How to watch anywhere with VPN
If you are abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as NordVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming. If you are not sure which VPN to use, check out GOAL's guide to the best VPNs for streaming sport.
Iraq vs UAE kick-off time
The match between Iraq and UAE will be played at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
It will kick off at 11:00 am ET or 8:00 am PT on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 in the United Kingdom (UK).
Team news & squads
Iraq vs UAE lineups
4-4-2
Formation
4-4-1-1
UAEIRQ-Line up
IRQSubstitutes
Manager
G. Arnold
UAE-Line up
UAESubstitutes
Manager
C. Olaroiu
Injuries and Suspended players
Injuries and Suspensions
- No sidelined players
Injuries and Suspensions
- No sidelined players
Iraq team news
The home side will pin much of their optimism on Ali Saleh, who has quietly pieced together a strong qualifying run with four assists and three goals across 12 outings.
On the opposite end, Iraq are buoyed by the return of star striker Ayman Hussein, who is back to full fitness and ready to spearhead their charge. The visitors will lean heavily on Hussein's hot streak, he has already found the net eight times in this World Cup qualifying cycle, while Ali Jasim, with his four goal contributions, is expected to provide the supporting firepower to keep Iraq ticking in the final third.
UAE team news
UAE creator-in-chief Fabio De Lima has been ruled out of this stretch of qualifiers after suffering an injury on club duty, leaving a sizeable hole in their attacking plans.
His loss is a bitter pill to swallow, especially considering he ran riot against Qatar in the previous qualifying phase, bagging four goals and turning the tide in their favour. Missing a player of his calibre is no small matter, and the Emirates will certainly feel the ripple effects of his absence this time around.
Form
IRQ-Form
IRQ- Goal Scored (Conceded)
- 5/2
- Games over 2.5 goals
- 1/5
- Both teams scored
- 2/5
UAE-Form
UAE- Goal Scored (Conceded)
- 8/5
- Games over 2.5 goals
- 3/5
- Both teams scored
- 4/5
Head-to-Head Record
IRQLast 5 matches
UAE2
Wins
3
Draws
0
Wins
Goals scored
3- Games over 2.5 goals
- 1/5
- Both teams scored
- 2/5