Banners welcoming the UAE national team and its fans in the streets of Basra

The Iraqi city of Basra celebrated the UAE national team and its fans by spreading welcome banners in its streets before the upcoming meeting between the “White” and the Mesopotamian Lions, on Tuesday, in the Asian playoff qualifier for the 2026 World Cup.

Welcoming banners spread throughout the various streets leading to Basra International Airport, the Sports City, and the Palm International Stadium in Basra, coinciding with the celebration received by the “Lions of Mesopotamia” and the fans of the Iraqi national team in the first-leg match that was held last Thursday at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in the capital, Abu Dhabi, which ended in a draw (1-1).

A source confirmed to “Emirates Today” that “various sports bodies and others are preparing to receive the UAE national team delegation and its fans before and after the match through many community initiatives, coinciding with the warm welcome that the Iraqi fans received in the first leg.”