Hamdan bin Mubarak oversees UAE team training ahead of Iraq match

November 15, 2025 / 8:09 PM

Sharjah 24: The UAE national football team is preparing to travel to Basra, Iraq, on Sunday evening to face their Iraqi counterparts in the second leg of the 2026 World Cup qualifying playoffs at Basra International Stadium next Tuesday.

Training session at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium

The team began preparations with a training session at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, attended by His Excellency Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, President of the UAE Football Association. He met with players and staff, urging them to focus on securing the result needed to advance to the next stage.

Final preparations and travel to Basra

The UAE squad will train tomorrow at Zayed Sports City Stadium before departing for Basra. Their main session at Basra Stadium will take place on Monday, alongside the technical meeting and pre-match press conference.

Fan support arrangements

The Football Association announced plans to provide five private planes to transport fans to Basra, allowing supporters to cheer for the national team during the crucial return leg against Iraq.