The headquarters of the International Federation of Association Football in Zurich, Switzerland, hosted the draw ceremony for the global playoff qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, a draw that attracted the attention of Iraqi fans after the Lions of Mesopotamia secured Asia's representation in this crucial stage.

The Iraqi national team is going through one of the most complex and sensitive paths in this edition of the qualifiers, having experienced dramatic moments in the third round where the competition was fierce between them and the Jordanian national team for the direct qualification spot to the World Cup, before the Jordanians snatched the qualifying ticket in the final moments.

In the fourth round, the scenario repeated itself with even more bitterness, as Iraq was tied with the Saudi national team on points, but the Green Team qualified on goal difference, leaving the Lions of Mesopotamia to face a pivotal match against the UAE, which they managed to win with difficulty.

The Iraqi national team will await the winner of the match between Bolivia and Suriname to face them in the final of the second path, and winning this match will guarantee Iraq's qualification to the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico in the summer of 2026.