Iraq national team coach carefully checks My Dinh stadium

Right after the Vietnamese team's training session, the Iraqi team had an official training session at My Dinh Stadium tonight (November 20). The members of the West Asian team showed a very comfortable mentality as they continuously laughed and joked during the training session.

HLV đội tuyển Iraq kiểm tra kỹ mặt sân Mỹ Đình - 1 — Coach Jesus Casas and his staff carefully checked the quality of My Dinh Stadium (Photo: Do Minh Quan).

Before the players entered the training session, Coach Jesus Casas and members of the Iraqi coaching staff carefully checked the quality of the grass at My Dinh Stadium to ensure that the players would not be injured in the match against the Vietnamese team.

Thanks to good care, although the weather in Hanoi is quite cold these past few days, the grass at My Dinh Stadium is still green, completely different from the dry image a year ago.

HLV đội tuyển Iraq kiểm tra kỹ mặt sân Mỹ Đình - 2 — The Iraqi team practiced at My Dinh Stadium for the first time (Photo: Do Minh Quan).

Not only the Iraqi team, but the AFC representative also carefully checked the conditions of the organization at My Dinh Stadium such as the grass, lighting system, sound system, functional rooms, etc. It is known that only when the AFC agrees with the standards at My Dinh Stadium, the Vietnam - Iraq match can take place.

In the training session on the evening of November 20, the Iraqi team mainly warmed up and played some games before reviewing tactics to deal with the host Vietnam. According to observations, no Iraqi player had to practice separately due to health problems.

HLV đội tuyển Iraq kiểm tra kỹ mặt sân Mỹ Đình - 3 — Iraqi players get acquainted with My Dinh Stadium (Photo: Do Minh Quan).

To prepare for this match, the Iraqi team arrived in Hanoi on November 17 and had 3 training sessions to get used to the competition conditions and weather. Coach Jesus Casas showed great caution during the away match at My Dinh.

"The match will be very interesting for both teams. We won the opening match of the second qualifying round of the World Cup, but the match on November 21 is still very important for the Iraqi team. The Vietnamese team is a tough opponent. They have quality players and a controlling style of play. It will be a match worth waiting for.

HLV đội tuyển Iraq kiểm tra kỹ mặt sân Mỹ Đình - 4 — Happy atmosphere during Iraq's training session (Photo: Do Minh Quan).

In football, it is not easy to win. Both teams want to win. In the upcoming match, Iraq really wants to win 3 points but it will not be easy for us to achieve our goal," coach Jesus Casas emphasized.

Meanwhile, Iraqi defender Merchas Doski said: "In the first match, we defeated Indonesia, but the Vietnamese team also got 3 full points.

Both teams have good players. We will do our best to achieve our goals. When I return home to play for Iraq, it is a special honor and emotion."

HLV đội tuyển Iraq kiểm tra kỹ mặt sân Mỹ Đình - 5 — Iraq is considered to be in the top 10 strongest football teams in Asia (Photo: Do Minh Quan).

The match between Vietnam and Iraq will take place at 7:00 p.m. on November 21 at My Dinh Stadium. This is the first home match of Vietnam in the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup in Asia.