Iraq’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is nothing short of historic. The Lions of Mesopotamia are returning to the World Cup for the first time since Mexico 1986 — a 40-year wait finally over for Iraqi football fans around the world.
Key Players
- Aymen Hussein – The team’s top scorer and focal point of the attack.
- Amjad Attwan – Commanding central defender who organizes the backline.
- Bashar Resan – Experienced midfielder who controls the engine room.
- Jalal Hassan – Goalkeeper who has been reliable throughout qualifying.
Road to the World Cup
Iraq qualified through the AFC qualifying rounds, finishing in an automatic qualification spot — an extraordinary achievement that sparked celebrations across the country. Coach Jesús Casas guided the team through a disciplined qualifying campaign.
Group I Opponents
Iraq face the toughest possible test in Group I: France and Senegal are elite African and European sides, while Norway have Haaland. Iraq will fight for every point, knowing their presence alone is already a triumph.
Outlook
Iraq are unlikely to advance from this group, but the experience of competing at a World Cup will be transformative for Iraqi football. Every moment will be cherished by millions of fans who waited four decades for this.