United Arab Emirates vs Iraq Prediction and Betting Tips | November 13th 2025

United Arab Emirates and Iraq begin their quest for a place in next year’s inter-confederation playoffs when they square off in the fifth round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers on Thursday. Both nations will be looking to pick up a first-leg advantage, and we anticipate an action-packed contest at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium.

The United Arab Emirates failed to seal their World Cup ticket in the fourth round as they finished second in Group A, just one point behind winners Qatar.

Cosmin Olaroiu’s men picked up a 2-1 victory over Oman in the group opener on October 11, three days before suffering a 2-1 loss against Qatar in their winner-takes-all group finale.

The United Arab Emirates now return home, where they are unbeaten in their last five competitive games, picking up three wins and two draws since September 2024.

Despite claiming four points from a possible six in Group B of the fourth qualifying round, Iraq failed to book their World Cup ticket back in October as they finished second in the table, only behind first-placed Saudi Arabia due to the number of goals scored.

Graham Arnold’s side picked up a 1-0 victory over Indonesia in the group curtain-raiser on October 11, three days before playing out a goalless draw with Saudi Arabia.

Iraq head into Thursday’s tie unbeaten in their last five games in all competitions, claiming one draw and four wins, including a 1-0 victory over Thailand in the 2025 King’s Cup final.

United Arab Emirates vs Iraq Head-To-Head and Key Numbers

• With 11 wins from the last 31 meetings between the sides, Iraq boast a slightly superior record in the history of this fixture.
• United Arab Emirates have picked up two fewer wins in that time, while the spoils have been shared on 11 occasions.
• United Arab Emirates are unbeaten in seven of their last eight games across all competitions, claiming five wins and two draws since March 25.
• Iraq are on a run of four consecutive games without defeat against the UAE, claiming two wins and two draws since a penalty-shootout loss in the Gulf Cup semi-finals back in January 2018.

United Arab Emirates vs Iraq Prediction

The stakes will be high on Thursday as the United Arab Emirates and Iraq look to place one foot in the inter-confederation playoffs ahead of the World Cup next year.

The UAE have home advantage here, and while we expect Iraq to put up a fight, we are backing them to come away with a narrow victory.

Prediction: United Arab Emirates 2-1 Iraq

United Arab Emirates vs Iraq Betting Tips

Tip 1: Result - United Arab Emirates to win

Tip 2: Over 2.5 goals - Yes (There have been at least three goals scored in four of UAE’s last five games)

Tip 3: Both sides to score - Yes (Both sides have also scored in five of the hosts’ last six matches)

Edited by Peter P