The eyes of Iraqi football fans are turning towards the anticipated confrontation that the Iraq national football team will play in the global playoff qualifying for the 2026 World Cup finals, where the Lions of Mesopotamia await the winner of the match between the Bolivia national football team and the Suriname national football team in the match scheduled to be held in the city of Monterrey, Mexico, at the beginning of next April.

In this context, Iraqi coach Jamal Ali expected that the head coach of the Iraqi national team, Graham Arnold, would rely on the usual basic lineup without making significant changes in sensitive positions, given the importance and decisive nature of the match.

Jamal Ali explained that global playoff matches do not tolerate artistic adventure or tactical experiments, as they represent a pivotal station in the path to qualifying for the World Cup. He pointed out that the technical staff will seek stability in the lineup to ensure the best possible harmony among the players on the field.

He added that the Australian coach might prefer to rely on elements that have sufficient experience in such confrontations, especially in the defensive lines, where no radical changes are expected in sensitive positions like the right-back position.

The Iraqi coach continued that player Hussein Ali seems the closest to leading the right side of the defense, especially as he regularly participates with Pogoń Szczecin, which gives him the necessary physical and technical readiness to play a match of this importance.

Jamal Ali also emphasized the need for the technical staff to continue closely monitoring the players' levels during the upcoming period, affirming that the final list selection should be based on clear technical criteria that consider the players' readiness and performance with their clubs.

He also pointed out that playing a friendly match before the playoff confrontation might be a useful step for the technical staff to evaluate the players' technical and physical readiness, in addition to testing some tactical aspects that the team might rely on in the decisive match.

The Iraqi coach confirmed that the national team is required to present the best possible level in this match, describing the anticipated confrontation as a "game of a lifetime" for the players, as winning it means achieving the dream of qualifying for the World Cup and bringing Iraq back to the largest global football forum.

He explained that reaching the World Cup finals will bring great benefits to Iraqi football, not only at the national team level but also for the players who may have doors to professional opportunities in bigger clubs opened for them if they perform outstandingly in the tournament.

Jamal Ali called on the players to take responsibility and show high fighting spirit on the field, affirming that Iraqi fans are waiting to see a performance worthy of the history of Iraqi football and its ambitions to return to global competitions.