Prediction FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC) - Philippines vs Iraq

FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC) - Philippines vs Iraq
Match Time: 26-03-2024 19:00 Tuesday (GMT+8)
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Philippines

Philippines were denied their first win of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers as they suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Iraq in the first of their Group F double-header last Thursday.

Al-Shorta forward Mohanad Ali put the visitors to the sword at the Basra International Stadium as he netted the only goal of the game in the 84th minute to hand Iraq a narrow victory.

Prior to that, Tom Saintfiet's men kicked off their qualifying campaign with a 2-0 defeat against Vietnam on November 16, five days before playing out a 1-1 draw with Indonesia at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

With last week's defeat, Philippines have now failed to win any of their last five competitive matches, losing four and claiming one draw since a 5-1 thrashing of Brunei in the AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup back in December 2022.

With just one point from a possible nine, Philippines, who are 139th in the latest FIFA World Rankings, sit rooted to the bottom of Group F, but could move level with second-placed Indonesia with all three points on Tuesday.

Iraq

Iraq have enjoyed a superb qualifying campaign, winning each of their three matches while scoring seven goals and keeping two clean sheets.

Iraq kicked off their quest for a place in the 2026 World Cup with a bang as they cruised to an emphatic 5-1 victory over Indonesia at the Basra International Stadium on November 16.

However, Jesus Casas Garcia's men needed a 97th-minute strike from Ali to see off a dogged Vietnam side 1-0 in their second group outing at the My Dinh National Stadium on November 21.

Prior to Friday's victory over Philippines, the Lions of Mesopotamia suffered a somewhat disappointing round-of-16 exit from the Asian Cup following a 3-2 loss against Jordan in Qatar.

Iraq will look to pick up where they left off last week as they continue their quest for a first World Cup appearance since debuting in 1986, where they crashed out in the group stages after losing each of their three matches.

Prediction: Philippines 0-2 Iraq