Iraq vs Oman Predictions
Iraq and Oman meet in Jeddah on Wednesday in the Gulf Cup Group A.
Iraq are looking for a response after a poor World Cup showing, but past encounters against Oman point to another tight affair.
Under 2.5 goals is my best bet at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium.
Recent Stats Point to a Tight Contest
- Iraq scored an average of 0.55 goals per game in their last 9 matches
- Iraq have seen under 2.5 goals in 11 of their last 12 matches against Oman
- Oman have seen an average of 1.25 goals per game in their last 15 matches against Iraq
- Oman scored an average of 0.71 goals per game in their last 7 matches (competitive fixtures)
Iraq Dominate H2H Record
Iraq and Oman have met on four occasions since 2020. Iraq won three games while one game finished deadlocked.
Three of four previous encounters finished as 1-0 wins for Iraq.
Iraq Look to Bounce Back From World Cup Disappointment
Iraq enter the Gulf Cup after a difficult World Cup campaign saw them finish bottom of Group I.
Returning to the world’s biggest competition for the first time since 1986, the Iraqis lost all three of their group fixtures, leaking 12 goals while scoring just once.
Graham Arnold's side have now lost six and won only two of nine games played since December 2025.
A lack of quality in front of goal has been a big issue for the Lions of Mesopotamia. Iraq scored just five goals in their last nine games, while they failed to score more than one goal in eight of those fixtures.
Past encounters against Oman suggest a likely tight affair this week. Only 15 goals were scored in 12 previous internationals (in 90 minutes) between these nations.
Gulf Cup champions in 2023, Iraq suffered a disappointing group-stage elimination in their last appearance at this tournament in 2024.
Oman Look For Back-to-Back Wins
Oman arrive in Saudi Arabia in high spirits after a comfortable 4-1 win against Mozambique in their most recent international in June.
Issam Al-Subhi bagged a hat-trick as Tarik Sektioui’s side eased to a comfortable friendly victory.
The Reds have struggled to find much consistency in their performances over the past year. Before their simple win against Mozambique, Oman failed to win eight of ten internationals since September 2025.
Like Iraq, Oman have struggled to score in recent competitive internationals. Sektioui’s men scored just five goals in seven previous fixtures (excluding friendlies).
Beaten finalists in the 2024 Gulf Cup, Oman are competing in the competition for the 24th time. The Reds have won the tournament twice, in 2009 and 2018.
Iraq vs Oman Squads and Team News
Iraq Squad
Goalkeepers: Ahmed Basil, Hussein Hassan, Mohammed Salih
Defenders: Zaid Tahseen, Akam Hashim, Merchas Doski, Mustafa Saadoon, Ahmed Yahya, Maitham Jabbar, Josef Al-Imam, Mohammed Dlawar
Midfielders: Ibrahim Bayesh, Ahmed Qasem, Zidane Iqbal, Amir Al-Ammari, Ali Jasim, Zaid Ismail, Jussef Nasrawe, Karrar Nabeel, Abdulrazzaq Qasim, Hayder Abdulkareem, Mohammed Qasim, Hasan Abdulkareem, Saif Rasheed
Forwards: Ali Al-Hamadi, Aymen Hussein
Graham Arnold has a 27-man squad available for the Gulf Cup.
Experienced forward Aymen Hussein is expected to spearhead the Iraqi attack this week. The Pakhtakor striker has scored 34 goals in 97 international appearances.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of this week’s opener, Iraq boss Arnold explained his selection for the competition.
“Player selection was based on fitness and performances in domestic competitions this season,” he said
Arnold also stressed the importance of the Gulf Cup ahead of another World Cup qualification campaign.
“I want the players to go to the Gulf Cup believing they can win it,” he said, describing the Gulf Cup as an important competition for the region.
Oman Squad
Goalkeepers: Ibrahim Al-Mukhaini, Faiz Al-Rushaidi, Bilal Al-Balushi
Defenders: Ghanim Al-Habashi, Thani Al-Rushaidi, Musab Al-Shaqsy, Ahmed Al-Khamisi, Amjad Al-Harthi, Khalid Al-Braiki, Ali Al-Busaidi, Mahmood Al-Mushaifri, Nayef Faraj
Midfielders: Arshad Al-Alawi, Zahir Al-Aghbari, Sultan Al-Marzouq, Abdullah Fawaz, Ahed Al-Mashaiki, Nasser Al-Rawahi, Salaah Al-Yahyaei, Harib Al-Saadi, Saif Rasheed
Forwards: Issam Al-Sabhi, Mohammed Al-Ghafri, Muhsen Al-Ghassani, Abdulrahman Al-Mushaifri
Oman boss Sektioui has an experienced squad available for Wednesday’s contest in Jeddah.
Mataz Saleh was one of three players cut from the Reds original 30 man party.