Iraq vs United Arab Emirates prediction, H2H and probable lineups, 18 November 2025

By Author On Nov 18, 2025

Iraq and the United Arab Emirates go head-to-head again, and honestly, this one feels like it could swing either way. Both teams have shown flashes of real quality in these qualifiers, and with the group starting to tighten up, every point matters now. Expect a tight battle, some nervy moments, and maybe even a bit of drama along the way.

Form Guide

Iraq

Iraq have been looking sharper lately, pressing well and moving the ball with confidence. They’re not perfect — sometimes they let teams back into games — but overall, their energy and organisation have improved a lot. Home or away, they’ve become a pretty stubborn side.

United Arab Emirates

UAE are unpredictable this period. Some days they look like they can beat anyone, other days they struggle to find rhythm. Still, they create chances and always carry goal threat, especially in transition. The big question is their defensive focus — it tends to switch off at the worst times.

Head-to-Head (H2H)

History between these two is usually tight. Iraq generally have the slight upper hand across recent meetings, but UAE have pulled off some clutch wins before, especially in high-pressure games. Matches between them often stay close, low-scoring, and tense right till the end.

Team News

Iraq Team News

Iraq are expected to line up with their usual core players. Midfield looks strong as always, and their defence has stayed relatively stable. No major fresh injuries reported, so fans should see a familiar XI.

UAE Team News

UAE could make a tweak or two, especially in midfield to help control possession better. A couple of returning players boost their squad depth, but they still need to balance the attack so they don’t leave gaps at the back.

Probable Lineups

Iraq (Predicted XI)

GK: Hassan
DEF: Dhurgham Ismail, Ali Adnan, Rebin Sulaka, Ahmed Ibrahim
MID: Bashar Resan, Safaa Hadi, Hussein Ali
ATT: Aymen Hussein, Mohanad Ali, Ibrahim Bayesh

United Arab Emirates (Predicted XI)

GK: Ali Khaseif
DEF: Bandar Al Ahbabi, Walid Abbas, Shaheen Abdulrahman, Mahmoud Khamis
MID: Abdullah Ramadan, Ali Salmeen, Caio Canedo
ATT: Fabio Lima, Ali Mabkhout, Harib Abdullah

(You can adjust these if needed — this is just a likely setup based on recent selections.)

Players to Watch

Iraq – Aymen Hussein

Always lively in front of goal and super aggressive in the box. If Iraq score, he’s probably involved.

UAE – Ali Mabkhout

Still one of the most dangerous attackers in Asia. His finishing and movement can change a game instantly.

Match Prediction

This feels tight. Iraq look slightly more balanced at the moment, but UAE have those individual stars who can punish mistakes. Could go either way, but:

Prediction: Iraq 1–1 UAE
A draw feels the safest call with the way both sides have been performing.

Betting Tips (Not Financial Advice!)

Under 2.5 goals – Their meetings are usually cagey.
Both teams to score (BTTS – Yes) – Both have enough firepower to at least grab one.
Draw or Iraq double chance – Iraq are just a bit steadier.
Anytime Scorer: Aymen Hussein or Mabkhout – Two reliable goal threats.

Wrap-Up

This is shaping up to be another intense qualifier clash. Iraq will rely on their structure and tempo, while UAE will hope their attacking stars step up. Whatever happens, it should be a good watch for fans on both sides. Let’s see who edges it!