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Iraq host Palestine at the Basra International Stadium in Basra on Thursday for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The sides are playing in Group B of the third round.
With four points in two games, the Lions of Mesopotamia are currently in third position in the standings. They began their campaign with a slender 1-0 win over Oman, before seeing off a goalless stalemate with Kuwait on matchday two.
Ranked 55th in the world, the Middle Eastern side are looking to end their long wait for a second World Cup appearance, having made their debut in the 1986 edition.
Head coach Jesús Casas has called up 25 players for this month's fixtures against Palestine and South Korea, led by the prolific striker Aymen Hussein. The Qatar-based star has netted 28 goals for Iraq in 77 games, while Mohanad Ali, who has 20 goals from 49 games, has also been summoned.
Al-Karkh goalkeeper Hussein Hassan and Sweden-based Lucas Shlimon are the only two uncapped players in the squad.
Meanwhile, their rivals are looking to pick up their first win of the campaign, after posting a draw and a loss in their campaign thus far.
The Lions of Canaan showed encouraging fighting spirit in a 0-0 draw with South Korea to earn an unlikely point in their opener, before going down 3-1 to their neighbors, Jordan, in the next.
With just one point on the board, Makram Daboub's side are second from bottom in Group B's table, ahead of only their regional rivals Oman (0 points). If they are to prevent their progression hopes from dissipating, it is imperative for Palestine to start picking up wins.
Iraq vs Palestine Head-To-Head and Key Numbers
- There have been 16 clashes between the sides in history, with Iraq going unbeaten in all of them, winning 12.
- The Lions of Mesopotamia have won their last three clashes in the fixture, including a 2-1 victory in the West Asian Football Federation Championship on August 2019.
- Of their last five official games, the Lions of Canaan have won just once: a 2-1 win over Malaysian club PDRM (hybrid friendly).
- Iraq are unbeaten in their last six official games, winning five in a row before a draw.
Iraq vs Palestine Prediction
The hosts of the match have an incredible head-to-head record in the fixture and, given their solid run of form this year, should be able to continue that form with another victory.
Prediction: Iraq 2-0 Palestine
Iraq vs Palestine Betting Tips
Tip 1 - Result: Iraq to win
Tip 2 - Goals over/under 2.5: Under 2.5 goals
Tip 3 - Both teams to score: No
