The President of the Iraqi Football Federation, Adnan Darjal, sent an important message to the Iraqi national team players following the difficult victory achieved by the Lions of Mesopotamia over the Indonesian national team with a score of 1-0, in the Asian playoff match qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, which took place at Al-Jawhara Stadium in Jeddah.

Darjal stated in media remarks: "The Iraqi team suffered from the difficult conditions in Jeddah due to high humidity levels, and the victory achieved was not easy at all; it came after great suffering not only from the weather but also from the strength of the Indonesian team, which has developed significantly and possesses several professional players in its ranks."

He added: "The result is more important than any other considerations, and thank God the victory was achieved thanks to the players' determination and high resolve. We hope the team shows a better and stronger performance in the next match against Saudi Arabia, as it will be more complicated and difficult, but it will also determine the fate of both teams in the path to World Cup qualification."

He continued: "The players of the national team understand the magnitude of the responsibility placed upon them, as they represent more than 45 million citizens who have been waiting for a moment of joy since the achievement of 1986. Therefore, the players do not need additional moral support, as they already have enough motivation, along with the continuous support from the technical and administrative staff, as well as the strong backing of the large Iraqi fans in Jeddah."

Darjal concluded: "I ask the players only to continue working seriously and to show their true mettle in Tuesday's match against the Saudi team, despite the challenges of the home ground and the crowd. However, I trust in their ability to overcome all circumstances and achieve what is required."

He ended his remarks by saying: "We are only 90 minutes away from the World Cup dream, and the players know the significance of this historic moment. I am confident that they will be ready to bring joy to the Iraqi fans and raise Iraq's name high among the World Cup teams."