In 2026 World Cup football qualifiers
Iraq beats Indonesia 2-0
NEWSROOM — Iraq clinched a decisive win in an away match of the 2026 World Cup and 2027 Asian Cup joint qualifiers against Indonesia, securing a commanding 2-0 victory on Thursday.
The match took place in Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia, where Ayman Hussein scored the first goal in the 53rd minute via a penalty, and Ali Jasim scored the second goal in the 88th minute.
With this triumph, Iraq extends its dominance over Indonesia since 1973, maintaining an unbroken streak in their encounters. This victory further solidifies Iraq’s position at the top of Group F, having triumphed in all five matches, amassing a total of 15 points. Next in line, Iraq is set to face Vietnam in Basra stadium next week.
The Indonesian team has consistently faltered against the Iraqi side in joint matches. The rivalry traces back to their first encounter in 1973 during the qualifiers for the 1974 World Cup, ending in a 1-1 draw, with Iraq securing a 3-2 victory in the return leg of the same tournament.
In subsequent years, Iraq continued its dominance, prevailing over Indonesia in various competitions. Notably, in November 2023, the Iraqi national team emerged victorious with a resounding 5-1 win, followed by a 3-1 victory in January 2024.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani extended his congratulations to the Iraqi team for their stellar performance, praising their undefeated streak in the qualifiers.
In a social media post, Al-Sudani hailed the team’s achievement and pledged unwavering support towards their pursuit of qualifying for the World Cup, expressing gratitude to the dedicated fans for their steadfast encouragement at every stage.
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