Ammari's dramatic last-gasp penalty snatches Iraq World Cup play-off berth

Amir Al Ammari's penalty 17 minutes into stoppage time secured a dramatic 2-1 win for Iraq over the UAE in Basra on Tuesday to seal a 3-2 aggregate victory that takes Graham Arnold's side into the intercontinental playoffs for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

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Ammari hit the winner after teammate Mohanad Ali had struck in the 65th minute to cancel out Caio Lucas’ 52nd minute opener for the visitors in front of a packed out Basra International Stadium.

The win keeps Iraq's FIFA World Cup dream alive as the country attempts to qualify for the finals for the first time since 1986 by booking a place in the six-team playoffs, which will be held in March and where the last two tickets to the finals will be decided.

By securing a spot in the playoffs, Iraqi squad gave its supporters hope of returning to the global stage after decades of near misses.

The UAE's hopes of making a second appearance at the tournament will now extend into a fourth decade, following a hard-fought aggregate defeat that ultimately ended their bid to qualify for the main event in North America.

Despite their determined efforts and spirited performances, the result dashed the nation's ambitions, prolonging the long wait for a return to the global stage.