Game tomorrow:

(Basra International Stadium)

3 a.m. — Philippines vs Iraq

With a new mentor at the helm, the Philippines will test the mettle of Iraq when they collide in the second round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers at the Basra International Stadium in Iraq on Friday morning.

Kick-off is set at 3 a.m. (Manila time) with the Filipinos banking on the experience of Belgian Tom Saintfiet, who will call the shots for the first time since replacing Hans Michael Weiss as head coach last February.

It's also going to be the first away game of the Filipinos in the qualifiers before returning home for a rematch against the Iraqis at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium on 26 March.

So far, Iraq leads Group F with two wins for six points while the Philippines is at the third place with one point with a 0-1-1 win-draw-loss record.

A win or a draw against the Lions of Mesopotamia could boost the Filipinos' World Cup bid and raise their morale heading into their much-anticipated rematch next week.

But winning over the dangerous Iraqis is easier said than done as they are ranked No. 59 in the International Football Federation ranking.
In the recent AFC Asian Cup, in fact, the Lions of Mesopotamia pulled off a shocking upset of Japan, 2-1, in the elimination round.

Only the top two teams per group will advance to the third round. Aside from that, the top two squads in each group will also be given outright berths for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.

The Philippines will be be bannered by veteran players Neil Etheridge of Birmingham City FC, Kevin Ingreso and Daisuke Sato of Davao Aguilas FC as well as up-and-coming stars Santi Rublico of Atletico Madrid U19, Theo Libarnes of Far Eastern University-Diliman and Michael Baldisimo of the San Jose Earthquakes.

They had an early training in Manila before shifting their camp to Dubai from 16 to 20 March.

Although notable absentees such as Gerrit Holtmann of SV Darmstadt 98 and Sandro Reyes of SpVgg Greuther Fürth II are not in the squad, Saintfiet believes in his core of players.

"We have a well balanced group. We have a good team to face Iraq, but we need to play professionally and try to steal some points. We have a balanced team to face a strong opponent," Saintfiet said.

"We have both experienced and young people in the mix. It's important we look at players who can do the job and who we think could be ready for this task in every position."

Iraqi forward Aymen Husseim is expected to cause problems for the Philippines as he boasts 23 goals for Iraq in 73 appearances as well as Mohanad Ali, who scored the lone goal for Iraq in its 1-0 over Vietnam last November.