Iraq and Indonesia are set to face off in Jeddah on Saturday in a decisive Group B encounter of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 26 Playoffs, with both nations in desperate need of victory to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
For Iraq, the fixture represents a chance to move closer to a long-awaited return to the global stage after nearly four decades. Their only previous FIFA World Cup appearance came in 1986, but head coach Graham Arnold believes his current squad is capable of ending that drought. Fresh off a King’s Cup triumph over Thailand in September, Iraq will look to forwards Mohanad Ali, Ali Jasim, and Aymen Hussein to carry the attacking load once again.
“We are very excited about the game tomorrow night,” Arnold said ahead of the match. “World Cup qualifiers are always special, and we’ve been waiting a long time. Discipline from the boys has never been an issue. They’ve been fantastic, 100 percent committed.” The Australian coach added that his players’ match fitness has improved significantly since he took charge, noting that regular club minutes have sharpened their form.
With Saudi Arabia already setting the pace in Group B following their 3-2 victory over Indonesia, Iraq cannot afford a slow start. A win would put them back in contention for the top spot and boost confidence ahead of tougher fixtures to come.
For Indonesia, the stakes are equally high. The Garuda have not reached the World Cup since their 1938 debut as the Dutch East Indies, and coach Patrick Kluivert views this campaign as an opportunity to rewrite history. Despite falling 3-2 to Saudi Arabia in their opening match, Indonesia impressed with their attacking intent and determination.
“The Iraqi team, we have to respect them,” Kluivert said. “They had a good result against us before, but the situation now is different. We need to win—that’s the only thing. It’s going to be difficult, but we are brave people. We have a team that sticks together, and we need to show that tomorrow.”
Indonesia’s unity and spirit will be crucial as they chase their first points of the campaign. Backed by a passionate fan base and driven by a sense of national pride, they will aim to deliver a statement performance against an Iraqi side with momentum and pedigree on their side.
Kick-off at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium is scheduled for 22:30 local time (UTC+3), with both teams aware that defeat could end their Road to 2026 before it truly begins.
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