The national team of the United Arab Emirates, coached by Cosmin Olăroiu, lost 2-1 to Iraq in the Asian playoff final for the 2026 World Cup.

The national team of the United Arab Emirates, led by Romanian coach Cosmin Olăroiu, has been eliminated from the race for the 2026 World Cup after losing away, 2-1, against Iraq in the Asian playoff final. After a 1-1 draw in the first leg, played at home, the UAE team played the return match in Basra, Iraq.

Caio Lucas opened the scoring for the visitors in the 52nd minute, but the hosts quickly equalized through Mohanad Ali in the 58th minute. Additionally, the UAE suffered two significant injuries, losing Bruno Oliveira and Nicolas Gimenez. Japanese referee Yusuke Araki awarded ten minutes of stoppage time, and in the 90+13th minute, a handball in the visitors' box led to a penalty converted by Amir Al-Ammari in the 90+17th minute, thus securing Iraq's victory and qualification for the intercontinental playoff for the 2026 World Cup.