Iraq began their FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC) campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Palestine on October 11th, 2024. The match, played at the Basra International Stadium, was settled by a single goal, giving Iraq a perfect start in their quest to reach the 2026 global finals. In front of a passionate home crowd, Iraq controlled possession but found a resilient Palestinian defense difficult to break down. The decisive moment came in the second half, possibly from a set-piece or a long-range strike, to break the deadlock. Palestine grew into the game and created several chances to equalize, but Iraq's goalkeeper made crucial saves to preserve the clean sheet and the three points. This win immediately puts Iraq at the top of their early group standings, applying pressure to their rivals. The Iraqi manager expressed satisfaction with the result but noted room for improvement, while the Palestinian coach took pride in his team's competitive performance against a strong opponent.