PLDC - Tehran,The Iraq national football team is scheduled to play a friendly against an undisclosed African nation, and therefore will not play against Iran. The head of the Iranian Football Federation, Ali Kaffashian said, "The Iraqis have expressed their willingness through websites and rumors, but nothing has been officially announced. We are at a critical point in time. We intend to hold a camp in the Emirates to gear up for the next WC 2014 qualification match against Qatar."

Regardless of whether Iran will play a friendly in the Emirates or not, Ali Kaffashian said, "We will play a friendly match, but nothing has been prepared. If possible we would like to have a friendly match behind closed doors.  If a friendly against Iraq is not held-no other match has been coordinated yet."