As the decisive encounter in the global playoff qualifying for the 2026 World Cup approaches, preparations are intensifying within the corridors of Iraqi football. Iraqi coach Ahmed Jumaa emphasized that success in this mission begins with precise scientific planning and comprehensive data collection on all players, whether inside or outside Iraq.

The Iraqi national team is scheduled to play its crucial match in the city of Monterrey, Mexico, on the first of April, at six in the morning Baghdad and Doha time, against the winner of the Bolivia and Suriname match, in a game that cannot be divided.

Jumaa said that the first and most important step in the preparation path is to gather accurate information about the physical and technical condition of each player, explaining that using performance tracking devices such as (GPS) and (Polar) devices has become an imperative necessity in modern football, as they provide clear indicators of physical loads, effort rates, and recovery periods.

He added that detailed monitoring of matches and training, in addition to tracking injuries and physical problems faced by players, will give the technical staff led by Australian Graham Arnold a complete picture of the readiness of the selected elements, which helps in adjusting the training program according to the individual condition of each player, whether they are professionals abroad or active in the local league.

Jumaa pointed out that the integration between the physical and tactical aspects represents the cornerstone at this stage, confirming that a player cannot be asked for high tactical roles if they are suffering from physical decline. Therefore, knowing the true capabilities of each element will contribute to determining the shape of the training curriculum, the nature of friendly matches, and the appropriate number of minutes that each player can play during the camp.

He explained that the second stage of preparations requires conducting simple physical and physiological tests, due to the different leagues and levels of competition that players undergo, clarifying that some elements may need additional recovery doses, while others require the development of certain capabilities, while a third team only needs to maintain their current level.

Jumaa stressed the necessity of establishing a clear protocol for recovery, along with adopting a precise program for nutritional supplements, considering them as crucial elements in a match that may be decided by small details, calling for the provision of a specialized staff to monitor these aspects from now until the day of the encounter, especially since the available time is sufficient to implement an ideal preparation plan.

He concluded his speech by emphasizing that the global playoff match begins with its precise details, as its variables can change within 90 minutes, and may even extend to extra time, requiring high physical readiness, doubled mental focus, and the ability to perform more than one tactical role on the field, as well as choosing friendly matches that serve the technical side without negatively affecting the players' psychological state.