Australian Graham Arnold, the coach of the Iraqi national team, confirmed that all players are ready to face Saudi Arabia, pointing to the readiness of the Mesopotamian Lions star and top scorer, Ayman Hussein, after his absence from the previous match against the Indonesian national team last Saturday in the second group competitions for the Asian playoff qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup finals, following his injury during his team’s Al-Karkh match against Erbil in the fourth round of the Iraq Stars League.

The Iraqi coach did not reveal whether Ayman Hussein would start against Saudi Arabia as a starter, or whether he would be included in the second half, but it is certain that he will participate in the match.

Graham Arnold also confirmed that Zidane Iqbal, who scored the goal in Iraq’s victory over Indonesia, is also ready to play against Saudi Arabia.

The Iraqi team only needs to win over its Saudi counterpart to ensure qualification for the next World Cup, given that Saudi Arabia is superior to it in goal difference, as the Saudi team scored three goals and conceded two goals, while Iraq scored only one goal.

Therefore, Iraq’s qualification depends on winning any result.

It is noteworthy that the first and last presence of the Iraqi team in the World Cup was in the World Cup in Mexico in 1986.

Source: Agencies