Iraq to face Indonesia, Saudi Arabia in Asian World Cup playoff qualifiers

BAGHDAD — The Iraq Football Association on Thursday announced the national team’s schedule for the upcoming Asian playoff qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Iraq will open against Indonesia on Oct. 11, followed by a match against Saudi Arabia three days later.

“Our national team is in Group B alongside Saudi Arabia and Indonesia in the Asian playoff qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by Saudi Arabia in October,” the Iraqi Football Association said in a statement.

The winner of Group B will qualify directly for the expanded 48-team World Cup. The runner-up will face the second-place team from Group A in a two-legged playoff in November. The winner of that tie will advance to an inter-confederation playoff in March 2026, which will determine the final two World Cup berths.