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For the first time this century, Iraq has returned to the World Cup for only its second-ever appearance at the tournament.
The Lions of Mesopotamia were the last side to claim their spot at the United States, Canada and Mexico tournament this summer after defeating Bolivia in FIFA's inter-confederation playoffs. The win in Monterrey marked both a glorious conclusion—and an exciting new chapter—for an Iraqi squad hoping to inspire unity and pride across the nation.
Graham Arnold's side could etch their names in history by claiming Iraq's first-ever World Cup victory, though they'll need to do so against Norway, France or Senegal—three formidable opponents awaiting them in Group I.
The Road to the World Cup
Iraq's journey to North America was anything but straightforward. The team won 11 of 18 qualifying matches across three rounds to earn a berth in the AFC playoff. Arnold's squad then navigated a two-legged tie against the United Arab Emirates before advancing to FIFA's inter-confederation playoffs, where a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Bolivia finally secured their place at the 2026 World Cup.
World Cup Schedule
Fixture | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
Iraq vs. Norway | Tuesday, June 16 | Gillette Stadium |
France vs. Iraq | Monday, June 22 | Lincoln Financial Field |
Senegal vs. Iraq | Friday, June 26 | BMO Field |
Manager: Graham Arnold
Arnold has been working against the clock since taking charge of Iraq. Having assumed the role only in May of last year, the Australian was immediately thrust into the thick of the team's qualifying campaign, carrying the weight of an entire nation's expectations with little margin for error. The squad responded swiftly to their new player-focused manager, however, and together they achieved something truly historic.
How Iraq Plays
Iraq lacks the attacking quality to dominate possession or impose themselves in the final third. Instead, Arnold's side rely on hard work and resilience, built around a structured and disciplined defensive shape to keep matches tight. When the right moment presents itself, they look to hurt opponents on the counter-attack.
Ones to Watch
X-Factor: Few Iraqi players match the consistency and clinical edge of Mohanad Ali. The forward has an uncanny ability to sniff out scoring chances—his six goals in his last 12 international appearances say it all—even when coming off the bench.
Breakout Star: Among the handful of players with experience in English football, Ali Al-Hamadi is no stranger to the big occasion. The 24-year-old may still be developing, but his pace, dribbling and tenacity give him the tools to influence a match at any level.
Iraq's Predicted Starting XI
Iraq's limited squad depth means much of Arnold's starting lineup is already largely predetermined for the World Cup. There are, however, a handful of key positions where the Australian coach faces some difficult calls.
Hussein appears certain to lead the attack, but who partners him up front remains unclear. Al-Hamadi's standout display against Bolivia has put him in the frame, particularly given he started the crucial playoff. Yet Ali is widely seen as the team's match-winner and may be too valuable to be used solely as an impact substitute, despite having carved out that role in recent months.
Arnold also faces a dilemma between the sticks. Captain Jalal Hassan's recent injury concerns have given Ahmed Basil Fadhil an opening, and his outstanding showing against Bolivia—along with strong performances at the Arab Cup—may well give the manager reason to reconsider his first-choice goalkeeper.
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Current Form
Iraq closed out 2025 on a sour note, falling 1–0 to Jordan in the Arab Cup quarterfinals. The team then had three months to reset before the high-stakes playoff against Bolivia.
The Lions of Mesopotamia came through with a 2–1 win in the winner-takes-all clash, with Hussein's 53rd-minute strike proving decisive. There is still work to be done before the tournament kicks off—questions remain over the team's optimal midfield setup—but Iraq will be eager to build on their achievement and chase their dream.
What We Can Expect From Iraq Fans
In times of political turbulence, the Iraq national team serves as a powerful symbol of unity for supporters. Regardless of what is happening within the country, football remains a beacon of hope and national identity that brings people together—a sentiment that will resonate even more powerfully on the global stage. Anyone who witnessed the euphoric scenes among Iraqi fans in Mexico understands just how much the national team means to its supporters.
Many fans would love the chance to travel to North America to cheer their team on this summer, but significant obstacles stand in their way—particularly with the first two matches taking place on U.S. soil. Securing a visa to enter the United States is already a considerable challenge, and that was before the ongoing U.S. tensions in the Middle East.
The Iran conflict had already disrupted the Iraqi team's travel to Mexico for the inter-confederation playoffs, and similar complications could affect supporters come June unless diplomatic relations improve.
National Expectations
Simply reaching the World Cup was a remarkable achievement for Iraq—one that likely exceeded all expectations back home. Yet supporters are now hungry for more, daring to dream of the Lions of Mesopotamia claiming their first-ever victory on the world stage.
The road ahead for Arnold's men will be steep. Iraq's group features Norway, France and Senegal—three nations widely tipped to reach the knockout rounds. Hoping to pick up three points against any of them—let alone progressing from the group—is a significant ask, and one that may ultimately leave even the most optimistic supporters deflated.