The Iraqi national team achieved a valuable moral victory against their host, the Jordanian team, with a score of 1-0 in the match held on Tuesday evening as part of the tenth and final round of the third stage of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The only goal of the match was scored by player Sajad Jasem in the 78th minute after a cross that deceived the Jordanian goalkeeper Yazeed Abu Layla, with the contribution of his teammate Hassan Abdul Karim in the feint. This victory raised our team's points to 15, placing them in third place, one point behind Jordan, which has already secured qualification.

Although the result did not change the positions of the two teams in the group standings, it represented three important gains for coach Graham Arnold's squad:

1. Return of Confidence

Since Iraq's draw with Yemen in the Gulf Cup at the end of 2024, victories have been absent from the national team. This win restored a sense of confidence to the players before entering the decisive Asian playoff, and sent a message of reassurance to the angry fans.

2. Support for Coach Arnold

Australian coach Graham Arnold recorded his first victory with the Lions of Mesopotamia after the disappointment of losing to South Korea. The win over Jordan gives him a strong boost before the playoff matches and increases harmony within the group.

3. Gain in International Ranking

According to the FIFA ranking, the Iraqi team was at risk of dropping after the loss to Korea, but the victory against Jordan will help maintain its position (59th globally) and prevent Jordan from surpassing it in the ranking. It may pave the way for a greater improvement if positive results are achieved in upcoming friendlies.

4. Partial Reconciliation with the Fans

Winning against an Arab team that qualified for the World Cup, like Jordan, carries an important moral dimension, especially after losing the Asian Cup to them. This victory may contribute to the beginning of a real reconciliation with the Iraqi fans, with hopes of continuing to deliver a commendable performance on the road to the global dream.

It is worth noting that the draw for the playoff qualifiers will take place on Thursday, July 17, with the matches scheduled for next October, as Iraq seeks to secure the qualification ticket that it has been waiting for since the 1986 World Cup.