Việt Nam midfielder Nguyễn Quang Hải (left) vies for a ball against Iraqi midfielder Humam Tariq during their 2019 Asian Cup. They may meet each other again in a friendly this March in Hà Nội. Photo zing.vn

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam will play Iraq in a friendly match ahead of their next 2022 World Cup qualifier match in March.

The Việt Nam Football Federation recently confirmed the fixture and said the two sides are in the final stages of arranging the game on March 26 at Hà Nội’s Mỹ Đình Stadium.

Việt Nam's senior men's side have not played since their 0-0 World Cup qualifying draw last November against Thailand while Iraq’s last game was in the Arabian Gulf Cup in December. This friendly will be a warm-up for both teams for their World Cup qualification matches days later.

Việt Nam will play Malaysia in Group G while Iraq will see Hong Kong in Group C, both on March 31.

The last meeting of the teams was at the 2019 Asian Cup group stage in the UAE. Việt Nam lost 3-2. VNS