Euphoric Crowds Welcome UAE National Team in Basra's Streets

Basra is rolling out the red carpet for the UAE national football team and their fans ahead of Tuesday's crucial World Cup qualifier. The Iraqi city has put up welcome banners throughout its streets, returning the hospitality that UAE showed Iraqi fans during last week's first leg match in Abu Dhabi, which ended 1-1.

The welcome banners now line the main roads leading to Basra International Airport, the sports city, and the International Palm Stadium where the match will take place. This gesture mirrors the warm reception Iraqi fans received when they traveled to Abu Dhabi's Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium for the first leg on Thursday.

Both teams are fighting for a spot in the 2026 World Cup through the Asian qualifiers. The tie stands perfectly balanced after the draw in the UAE capital, making Tuesday's return leg in Basra a winner-takes-all affair.

A source confirmed that various sports organizations and community groups in Basra are preparing multiple initiatives to welcome the UAE delegation and their traveling supporters. The effort shows how football diplomacy works between neighboring countries, even when the stakes are high.

The reciprocal hospitality between Iraq and UAE demonstrates the sporting culture in the Gulf region, where hosting visiting teams and fans with respect has become standard practice. This approach helps maintain good relations despite the competitive nature of World Cup qualifying campaigns.

For the UAE, playing in Basra presents both challenges and opportunities. Iraqi home support can be intense, but the welcoming atmosphere might help their players settle into what will be a high-pressure environment. The winner of this tie moves closer to securing their place at the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.