The eyes of the Iraqi sports community are directed towards June 5th, where the national team is set for a crucial match against its South Korean counterpart at the Basra International Stadium, as part of the ninth round of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. This anticipated match is considered one of the most important games in the recent history of the "Lions of Mesopotamia," representing a decisive step towards achieving the dream of direct qualification without passing through the playoff gate.

Iraq enters the match bolstered by its large fan base, which is expected to gather in thousands inside the Basra Stadium to form a human wall of support and motivation, facing one of the strongest Asian teams in terms of organization, fitness, and international experience. The task will not be easy against the Taeguk Warriors, who have yet to taste defeat in the qualifiers, but high spirits and determination may make a difference on the Basra pitch.

The Iraqi team will enter the match with almost complete squad, with a significant absence represented by the prominent striker Ayman Hussein due to accumulated yellow cards, placing the coaching staff in a difficult position regarding the front line, and necessitating the need to find alternative offensive solutions to counter the Korean defensive density and to strike from the flanks and the center simultaneously.

It is also expected that the head coach, Graham Arnold, will rely on several attacking names in the squad, led by Muhannad Ali, Ali Al-Hamadi, and Mohammed Jawad.

The confrontation against Korea is just the first chapter of two fiery battles, as Iraq will face Jordan just five days later in the capital, Amman, in the final round of the qualifiers. The results of the two matches will determine the fate of the Lions, either qualifying directly for the World Cup or entering into complicated calculations within the Asian playoffs.

The atmosphere in Basra has started to heat up as the kickoff approaches, amid significant popular and media support, and massive logistical preparations to secure one of Iraq's largest matches on home soil in years. All that the fans are waiting for now is to translate this great momentum into a heroic performance on the green grass... a performance worthy of Iraq's history and global aspirations.