Although no longer in control of their fate in the race for a spot in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Coach Kim Sang Sik’s team is still aiming for the match against Iraq with the utmost concentration and determination.
Basra International Stadium, where the match between Iraq and Vietnam will take place, is considered the “cauldron” of Iraqi football with a capacity of 65 thousand spectators. Tickets for the match are also creating a frenzy in Basra, promising that the stands will be filled with home supporters.
Notably, the Iraq national team has never been defeated when playing at Basra International Stadium since the first official match held at this venue in 2019 until now. They also lifted the Gulf Cup when the tournament was held at Basra International Stadium in 2023.
In the second round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in the Asian region, playing at their home ground Basra International Stadium, the Iraq national team defeated the Philippines 1-0 and convincingly defeated Indonesia with a score of 5-1.