Muscat – On the eve of Oman’s date with Iraq on Thursday in the third round of the final Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, footballers, fans and analysts alike got engaged in brainstorming sessions in their individual quarters dissecting the national team’s strength and weaknesses.

Ahead of the match to be held at Basra International Stadium at 8.00pm in Iraq, Muscat Daily spoke with some of those analysts and fans, who unequivocally laid emphasis on players’ confidence and composure for a positive outcome.

Ismail al Ajmi, a sports analyst and a former national player, commented on Thursday’s match – the first game of the third round of the World Cup qualifiers, opining that each team has a fair chance of winning.

Ismail highlighted the stability of the current Iraqi team, citing the high-level skill of the players and their strong team cohesion. He expects a fiercely competitive match, with display of a major rivalry between the two teams.

Ismail stressed the importance of maintaining calm and focus, especially with the game being played in Iraq.

“The host team will have the support of roaring 65,000 fans in the gallery, we must remember. We must remain calm and keep focus undisturbed,” the former football player said. He believes that the team, which is better prepared – both mentally and psychologically – will come out on top. He hopes the coach will handle the match with strategic insight and select the most prepared players for the event.

Ismail – obviously – would want Oman to at least secure a draw if not a win. He urged Omani fans to support their team wholeheartedly.

Fan Yahya al Hasani has a distinction of attending all the matches of Oman and supporting them vigorously. He praised the team’s excellent display of skill in the preliminary qualifiers and expressed hope that the players will maintain their cohesion and play with seriousness and calmness to ensure victory.

Imad al Hosni, a former national player, underlined the importance of having confidence and support for the team during the qualifying matches. He urged upon players to remain confident, determined and committed, as he explained the significance of both mental and physical preparedness before each game. He reassured them of their technical abilities and stressed that focus during matches would be crucial.

Imad acknowledged the challenges posed by the long and demanding qualifying rounds but noted that they are not insurmountable, especially with the increase in the number of teams and the expanded number of spots available.

He was optimistic about the team’s chances, particularly given the presence of Arab teams in their group, and encouraged the squad to seize the opportunity to advance to the World Cup finals and achieve the dream shared by all.

Salem bin Saeed bin Salem al Wahaibi, the chairman of the Oman Football Association (OFA), said that the Omani team is prepared for its upcoming match against the Iraq and that “they will come out winner, insha’allah”. He, however, admitted that the match will be challenging, as it marks the opening for both the teams in this stage.

The recent encounter between the two teams in the Gulf Cup final was one of the most memorable finals in the history of this championship, Wahaibi said, referring to the history of intense competition between the two teams.

He noted that the qualifiers demand patience and dedication from everyone – including the players, technical and administrative staff, media, and supporters. Wahaibi commended the crucial role of the Omani fans in supporting the team through the ‘We are with you’ campaign, underscoring the importance of their support as the team strives for success.

Oman is set to play its second match against South Korea on September 10 at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bousher. The team will face Kuwait in Muscat on October 10, and then travel to Amman to meet Jordan on October 15.

Oman will host Palestine, again in Muscat, on November 14, Wahaibi added.