Iraq
First World Cup since 1986
First World Cup since 1986 — a squad that grew up dreaming of a stage that felt impossible.
Watchability3/5
Drama3/5
Star power2/5
Title shot1/5
Team rating
70TEAM
- Attack68
- Midfield69
- Defense72
Next matches
- Next upvs FranceLincoln Financial Field, PhiladelphiaJun 22
- vs SenegalBMO Field, TorontoJun 26
The read
Iraq last played a World Cup in 1986 — forty years ago, and the only previous time in their history. They scrapped back through a playoff and ran straight into Norway, losing 4-1, though their all-time top scorer Aymen Hussein did find the net. They sit bottom of the group, but for a nation that waited this long, every minute on the field is a gift.
The fan’s readFirst World Cup since 1986 — forty years of dreaming — and their all-time top scorer found the net anyway. Watching Iraq is watching a team for whom just being here is already legend.
The cast
- Graham ArnoldAustralian coach who led Australia to the 2022 last-16; hired mid-qualifying in 2025 and steered Iraq back to a first World Cup in 40 yearsmanager
- Aymen Hussein ★Iraq's all-time leading scorer, and he got their goal against Norway.ClubAl-Karma
- Ali Al-HamadiThe first Iraqi-born Premier League player ever — and he scored the goal that got them here.ClubIpswich Town
- Ali JasimIraq's most creative player — if a surprise starts anywhere, it starts with him.ClubAl-Najma (on loan from Como)
- Jalal HassanA goalkeeper-captain — the last line and the leader in one.ClubAl-Quwa Al-Jawiya
Key moments
- 20072007 — the miracleA war-torn Iraq stunned Asia by winning the AFC Asian Cup, the continental championship, beating Saudi Arabia 1-0 in the final on a header from captain Younis Mahmoud — a rare moment of unity that brought a divided country together.
- 1986Their only prior World CupIraq's sole earlier World Cup was Mexico 1986, where they lost all three group games and went home early — making the 2026 return, four decades later, all the more historic.