Our prediction for this World Cup 2026 match:
Saida Municipal Stadium will host Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier between Lebanon and Iraq, the two teams who have slim chances of booking their place at the tournament in Qatar. Lebanon are on a three-game losing run in Group A, with the team failing to impress in a 1-0 loss to South Korea. Head coach Ivan Hasek should opt to make changes to the starting XI, with both Assi and Al Zein pushing for a start.
Iraq, on the other hand, head into the match following back-to-back defeats to South Korea (0-3) and seeing that they will go for a win in Tuesday’s clash as well, we are tempted to put our money on both teams to score. When the two teams met in Doha earlier in the process they played out a goalless draw, but both sides are desperate to return to winning ways this time out.
Highlighted Player (Justin Meram):
Over the years Justin Meram has established himself as one of the best Iraqi footballers. The centre forward, who is capable of playing as a winger as well, was born in Shelby Charter Township, Michigan on December 4, 1988, but he represents Iraq on the international stage.
During his college career Justin Meram played for the likes of Yavapai Roughriders and Michigan Wolverines and in 2011 he joined MLS club Columbus Crew. Meram scored 37 goals in 188 appearances for the club in MLS before signing a deal with Orlando City in January, 2018.
The Iraq international made his debut for the Lions in a 1-1 draw with DC United on March 4 and he scored his first goal for the club on May 14 in a 2-1 loss to Atlanta United. As for his international career, Justin Meram made his Iraq debut in November, 2014 in a 1-0 defeat to Kuwait. The Orlando City attacker wears the number 9 shirt.