Muscat – Oman, aiming for a first-ever World Cup appearance, take on Iraq in Basra on Thursday in their opening match in the third round qualifiers of the tournament to be hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States in 2026.

Oman head coach Jaroslav Silhavy will be relying on the same level of commitment that saw them emerge as Group B champions in the second round.

Silhavy took over as head coach after Branko Ivanovic’s departure, which followed an unexpected 1-0 defeat to Kyrgyz Republic. This loss came after Oman had started their second-round campaign with a convincing 3-0 win against Chinese Taipei.

Silhavy stepped in and his decision to recall several players paid off handsomely, leading Oman to secure their place in the third round as group champions and with a match to spare.

But playing Iraq, especially in an away match is going to be a tough challenge and a big test for Oman.

Having navigated the second round with a perfect six wins, Jesus Casas-led Iraq are aiming to replicate the success of the 1986 squad that qualified for the nation’s maiden FIFA World Cup in Mexico.

While the 1986 campaign ended in three defeats, Iraq are eager to return to the world stage and with the talent at their disposal, Casas is confident his side can claim one of the eight spots available for the World Cup.

Since taking charge in 2022, Casas has transformed Iraq into a formidable force, highlighted by their 2-1 victory over Japan in the Asian Cup 2023 group stage. Known for their high-tempo football, Iraq have used speed and agility to dominate opponents, a strategy they’ll continue to rely on in the AFC Asian Qualifiers.

Iraq’s attack has been prolific, with Aymen Hussein leading the charge with four goals in the second round, while Mohanad Ali and Ali Jasim each added two. With their sharp attack and tactical discipline, Iraq are well-positioned to secure a spot on the world stage.

In another match in Group B, South Korea looking to extend their record to an 11th consecutive World Cup appearance, will take on Palestine.

South Korea advanced to the third phase of qualification as Group C winners of the Preliminary Joint Qualification.

However, their journey was far from smooth, marked by the leadership of three different head coaches. German Jurgen Klinsmann started the campaign, leading the team in the first two matches, followed by interim head coaches Hwang Sun-hong and Kim Do-hoon, who also took charge of two matches each.

Despite the uncertainties, the Taegeuk Warriors displayed remarkable resilience and consistency, securing their place in the next stage with captain Son Heung-min emerging as the joint top-scorer with seven goals.

Following a 10-year hiatus, Hong Myung-bo has returned to lead the team with the former Ulsan HD head coach confident FIFA World Cup qualification will be sealed.

Palestine, under the guidance of head coach Makram Daboub, have shown the ability to compete effectively against stronger opponents and are eager to capitalise on this momentum as they aim for a historic FIFA World Cup berth.

Palestine advanced to the third round of qualifying in their seventh attempt. Their campaign began with a goalless draw against Lebanon and a narrow loss to Australia before back-to-back victories over Bangladesh and another goalless draw with Lebanon secured their progression.

The West Asian side’s defence has been resolute and they are poised to deliver a strong performance with the likes of Oday Dabbagh, Tamer Seyam and Musab Al Battat leading the charge.

In the other match in the group, Jordan take on Kuwait.