Baghdad: Iraq’s national football team is set to hold its first training session on Friday as they prepare for two critical matches against the United Arab Emirates in the Asian playoff qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The training is scheduled to kick off at 4:00 p.m., marking the beginning of their intensive preparation phase.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the local players will commence their training camp in Baghdad tomorrow, aiming to fine-tune their skills and strategies before heading to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, on Sunday, November 9. The professional players are expected to join the camp in Abu Dhabi on the same day, as the team enters the final phase of its preparations.

Iraq’s national team is set to face the UAE for the first match in Abu Dhabi on November 14. The return leg is scheduled to take place in the city of Basra on November 18, where Iraq will aim to secure their position in the next stage of the World Cup qualifiers.