MENA Sports Wrap: Iraq inch closer to being the eighth Arab team at World Cup

Iraq is keeping its World Cup dreams alive after beating the UAE 3-2 on aggregate to secure their place in the inter-confederation play-offs, while Tunisia pulled off an impressive 1-1 draw against World Cup titans Brazil.

Meanwhile, Moroccan footballer pair Achraf Hakimi and Ghizlane Chebbak were crowned African footballers of the year, pipping Mo Salah to the title.

Iraq keeps World Cup hopes alive

Iraq beat the UAE on Tuesday, giving the country a very real chance of qualifying for a World Cup for the first time in 40 years, and potentially joining seven other Arab nations who have reserved their places for the 2026 finals.

The home crowd got behind the team in Basra, as Iraq's Ali Al-Ammari scored a spot kick in the 107th minute, securing a place in the next round of the qualifiers, where six teams will compete for the two places in the World Cup.

As a seeded team, Iraq will proceed directly to the final of the inter-confederation playoffs in Mexico in March, where they will face the Bolivia or Suriname.

Before that, Iraq will have a chance to get in some practice at the Arab Cup in Qatar in December, where some of the region's biggest teams will be competing, including the UAE.

Tuesday's game was a crushing blow for the Emiratis, who were disappointed earlier this month when they dashed their chances of automatic qualification to the finals, following a last-minute goal against Qatar.

Meanwhile, Tunisia faced Brazil on Tuesday and pulled off an impressive draw against the five-time World Cup winners.

The match was held in France, as Brazil competes in a series of international friendlies at overseas venues, including against Senegal in London last week.

With a large North African diaspora in France, the game was akin to a home match for the Tunisians, with Number 9 Hazem Mastouri taking the lead for Tunisia early in the first half. Brazil fired back with a goal just before half-time, with 18-year-old Estevao Willian scoring a spot-kick a minute before half-time.

Tunisia managed to hold on to the 1-1 draw for the second half, with Brazil having 20 attempts on goal and another penalty attempt, but none of the chances finding the net.

Tunisia will be the much happier side with the score, and the night will go down in history for the Eagles of Carthage, who will be heading to the World Cup with a newfound confidence.

Moroccan pair Hakimi and Chebbak win African Players of the Year

Morocco and Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi was named the 2025 African Player of the Year in a glittering ceremony in Sale on Wednesday.

Hakimi beat the likes of Egyptian superstar Mohamed Salah and Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen to win the coveted trophy, following a stellar season with his club, Paris Saint-Germain, who he guided to domestic and continental glory.

After narrowly missing out in 2023 and 2024, Hakimi became the first Moroccan to be named African Player of the Year since Mustapha Hadji in 1998.

The right-back attended the ceremony in his home country on a scooter in a bid to support his leg, after suffering a serious injury earlier this month that is set to keep him off the pitch for the next few months.

The right-back caps off a remarkable season for both club and country, sweeping all major French domestic titles, including the French Ligue 1, the Coupe de France and the Trophee des Champions.

The club’s crowning moment came after they won the UEFA Champions League for the first time ever, becoming the first French club to do so. PSG beat Italian side Inter Milan 5-0, and Hakimi was among the French club’s goal scorers. The defender was also hailed as one of the standout players amid PGS’s European campaign.

The French club also added a fifth trophy to their expanding cabinet last season, winning the UEFA Super Cup.

For Morocco, Hakimi captained his country to World Cup qualification round with the Atlas Lions finishing top of their table, cruising past the likes of Tanzania, Niger and Congo.

Following his win, Hakimi said: "It’s really an honour for me to win this prestigious trophy. This trophy isn’t just for me – it is for all Africans who have dreams."

On X, he added: "A recognition that crowns years of hard work, success and unforgettable moments.  Thank you to all the Moroccan people for always standing behind me."

Hakimi’s fellow countrywoman, Ghizlane Chebbak, also made history by becoming the first Moroccan female footballer to win the award since its establishment in 2001.

Chebbak finished atop the leading goal scorers during the delayed Women’s Africa Cup of Champions, netting a stunning goal in the final for Morocco, who went on to lose to Nigeria earlier this year.

The Atlas Lionesses’ captain, who plays for Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal, said she was "delighted" to receive the award, calling it "the fruit of a lot of hard work over the years".

The 35-year-old beat fellow countrywoman Sanaa Mssoudy and Nigerian star Rasheedat Ajibade.

It was a successful night for other Moroccan players. Yassine Bounou was named African Goalkeeper of the Year, while the U-20 team won the Men’s National Team of the Year. Othmane Maamma, one of the stars of Morocco’s U-17 players, was crowned Young Player of the Year. His female counterpart, Doha El Madani, won the Women’s Young Player award.

Four Morocco players set to miss out on final AFCON squad

Morocco head coach Walid Regragui is preparing to announce his final 23-man squad for the Africa Cup of Nations, to be hosted in the kingdom from 21 December to 18 January, with several players facing exclusion as the tournament approaches.

Following recent matches against Mozambique and Uganda, the core of the squad has largely taken shape.

According to technical staff sources who spoke to The New Arab's Arabic edition on Friday, four notable players are expected to be left out of the final list - Utrecht defender Souffian El Karouani, Sunderland prospect Chemsdine Talbi, Torino defender Adam Masina and Nice forward Sofiane Diop.

The same source said the number of omissions could rise to six if key players Achraf Hakimi and Nayef Aguerd fail to recover in time, which may force last-minute changes before the final squad submission.

"These players are now close to being out of the coach's plans because there are stronger options in their positions," the source said, noting that Regragui was determined to rely on footballers capable of coping with the pressure of major matches.

The Africa Cup of Nations demands a "balanced, cohesive squad that combines defensive strength with the ability to build and finish attacks effectively", he added.