Preview: Qatar vs. Iraq - prediction, team news, lineups

Meanwhile, Iraq head into the fixture at the Amman International Stadium looking to build on their recent success in the King's Cup.

Match preview

With the dust having long settled after their disappointing World Cup campaign, Qatar are now going through the process of trying to get themselves in the best shape possible to qualify by right for 2026.

Just three wins have come from their 12 matches since the end of last year, one of those triumphs coming against Mexico in the Gold Cup.

However, a 4-0 defeat to Panama followed that memorable result, while the Maroons have since suffered a friendly defeat to Kenya.

A 1-1 draw against a Russia side devoid of recent competitive international experience followed, and that is a result that Carlos Queiroz can be satisfied with ahead of the next wave of fixtures.

This represents Qatar's final match before they play two World Cup qualifying contests in November ahead of participating in the Asian Cup.

From Iraq's perspective, they can claim to have enjoyed a hugely successful 2023, prevailing in both the Gulf Cup and King's Cup since the turn of the year.

Lifting the former - a tournament that featured Saudi Arabia and Qatar - was more significant, yet Jesus Casas will be delighted with the character shown in the recent King's Cup.

Iraq defeated each of India and Thailand on penalties, those efforts coming after they had suffered narrow friendly defeats to Russia and Colombia earlier in the year.

At a time when more of their players are plying their trade around the globe, Casas will feel that there is potential for this squad to kick on and challenge for an historic appearance at the 2026 World Cup in the coming years.

Qatar form (all competitions):

Iraq form (all competitions):

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Team News

Queiroz regularly tinkered with his Qatar side for the Russia fixture and their goal on that occasion came from substitute Ahmed Alaaeldin.

Whether that earns him a start on Friday remains to be seen, but he, Abdulaziz Hatem and Hasan Al-Haydos appear most likely to be drafted into the team.

AFC Wimbledon forward Ali Al-Hamadi could be handed a start for Iraq with Amin Al-Hamawi not part of the squad for this fixture.

Osama Rashid and Ibrahim Bayesh were both introduced as second-half substitutes in the King's Cup final against Thailand and could be handed starts in midfield and on the right flank.

Heerenveen right-back Hussein Ali, who featured in that final, misses out through injury.

Qatar possible starting lineup:

Barsham; Miguel, Salman, Khoukhi, Ahmed; Waad, Hatem, Boudiaf; Al-Haydos, Ali, Afif

Iraq possible starting lineup:

Talib; Sulaka, Artien, Putros; Bayesh, Rashid, Resan, Attwan, Yahia; Al-Hamadi, Hussein

We say: Qatar 1-0 Iraq

While Iraq will be satisfied with their form heading into this contest, we have to expect that Qatar will showcase the better quality on Friday. With that in mind, we are predicting a hard-earned win for Queiroz's side, one which will get them back on track.

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