ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates: The United Arab Emirates and Iraq drew 1-1 Thursday in the first leg of their 2026 World Cup qualifying playoff in Abu Dhabi.
The teams will travel to the Iraqi port city of Basra for Tuesday’s return match in the fifth round of Asian qualifying.
The winner will then advance to FIFA’s intercontinental playoff round in March, when six teams from five confederations will compete for two spots at next summer’s expanded 48-team World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
In front of a sellout crowd of 36,000 at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium, Iraq — whose only World Cup appearance came in 1986 — took the lead after just 10 minutes.
The UAE defense failed to clear a long free kick into the area, allowing the ball to drop to Ali Al-Hamadi. The Luton forward hooked home from close range to give Iraq, coached by former Australia manager Graham Arnold, a 1-0 lead.
It lasted only eight minutes. Brazilian-born forward Luanzinho powered a header into the bottom corner to pull the UAE level as the home side chased its first World Cup appearance since 1990.
The UAE nearly grabbed a late winner in stoppage time, but Caio Lucas’ header was ruled out for offside.
UAE and Iraq draw 1-1 in first leg of 2026 World Cup qualifying playoff
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UAE and Iraq draw 1-1 in first leg of 2026 World Cup qualifying playoff
- Teams will travel to the Iraqi port city of Basra for Tuesday’s return match in the fifth round of Asian qualifying
- Winner will advance to FIFA’s intercontinental playoff round in March, when six teams from five confederations will compete for two World Cup spots
FIA’s United Against Online Abuse campaign welcomes Palestinian student
- Ghada Ashour, 24, who grew up in Gaza, becomes fifth scholar selected for FIA’s flagship scholarship initiative
DUBAI: The FIA’s United Against Online Abuse campaign has welcomed Ghada Ashour, a 24-year-old student from Palestine, to its flagship scholarship program, created to empower the next generation of researchers in the fight against online abuse in sport.
Ashour grew up in Gaza where she had been studying remotely until gaining a place on the UAOA scholarship, which brought her to Dublin City University, Ireland.
Becoming the fifth scholar to join the program, she was selected based on her interests in social media, and passion for advancing insights in this area for the benefit of sportspeople.
Launched in 2023, the program offers talented students and young professionals from diverse backgrounds the chance to engage in research on the impact, prevalence, and prevention of online abuse in sport.
Funded by the FIA Foundation, the UAOA scholars have been selected to undertake research dedicated to positive social change.
Ashour’s thesis, which will be printed in English and Arabic, will focus specifically on the relationship between athlete activism and online abuse.
Athletes increasingly speak out on war, conflict, and social and environmental issues. Although the attention such athletes bring can be positive, research indicates it can lead to significant abuse.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, founder of the UAOA campaign, said: “The FIA is committed to extending opportunities across the world while inspiring and developing the next generation.
“Education lies at the core of this mission, and I am pleased to welcome Ghada as the latest student in the UAOA Scholarship Programme.
“Her experience and research will help broaden the international perspective on this critical issue. This pioneering research program will help ensure we safeguard the future of sport for generations to come.”
Ashour said she was “truly grateful” to the FIA leader: “It is a dream come true to study the subject I am passionate about at a leading institution in this field.
“I am so excited to advance the field of research in online abuse in sport and to contribute to this prevalent topic which is impacting so many people’s lives on a daily basis.”
The UAOA’s 2025 Barometer Report found that 75 percent of sports federations report continued threats against competitors and their families, and that 90 percent believe abuse could force athletes to leave their sport.
Dublin City University is a leading academic institution in the study of online abuse.
Each scholar is fully funded and mentored by leading experts in the field. They are able to attend UAOA events, where they can share their findings with a global audience of policymakers, sports federations, and digital platforms.
The inaugural cohort of four UAOA scholars included participants from Italy, South Africa, the UK, and Mexico.
