2026 World Cup - Group I: Iraq's profile, squad and schedule

16.06.26 FT World Cup

Iraq

1

:

Norway

4

Iraq will compete in the World Cup for only the second time in its history, returning after a forty-year absence. The Lions of Mesopotamia last appeared at the 1986 edition in Mexico.

World Cup history

Qualifying for the tournament hosted by Mexico in 1986, the Iraqis made their World Cup debut in a tough group featuring the hosts, Belgium, and Paraguay.

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They finished last in their group with three defeats from as many games. Their only goal was scored by Ahmed Radhi against the Red Devils.

Qualification journey

Iraq fought hard to secure their spot in the finals. Graham Arnold's men played four rounds in the Asian qualifiers, then advanced through the FIFA intercontinental play-off, where they defeated Bolivia (2-1) in the final thanks to goals from Aymen Hussein and Ali Al-Hamadi.

Number of appearances

1 (1986)

World Cup record

3 matches: 0 wins, 0 draws, 3 losses, 1 goal scored / 4 conceded

Iraq squad

Goalkeepers: Ahmed Basil (Al-Shorta, IRQ), Jalal Hassan (Al-Zawraa, IRQ), Fahad Talib (Al-Talaba, IRQ)

Defenders: Hussein Ali (Pogon Szczecin, POL), Merchas Doski (Viktoria Plzen, CZE), Akam Hashem (Al-Zawraa, IRQ), Rebin Sulaka (Port, THA), Zaid Tahseen (Pakhtakor, UZB), Ahmed Yahya (Al-Shorta, IRQ), Manaf Younis (Al-Shorta, IRQ)

Midfielders: Youssef Amyn (AEK Larnaca, CYP), Amir Al Ammari (Cracovia, POL), Ibrahim Bayesh (Al-Dhafra, IRQ), Marko Farji (Venezia, ITA D2), Zidane Iqbal (Utrecht, NED), Zaid Ismail (Al-Talaba, IRQ), Ali Jassim (Al-Najma, KSA), Frans Putros (Persib, IDN), Ahmed Qasim (Nashville, USA), Mustafa Saadoon (Al-Shorta, IRQ), Aimar Sher (Sarpsborg, NOR), Kevin Yakob (AGF, DEN)

Forwards: Mohanad Ali (Dibba, UAE), Ali Al Hamadi (Ipswich, ENG D2), Aymen Hussein (Al-Karma, IRQ), Ali Yousef (Al-Talaba, IRQ)

Iraq's Group I schedule

Tuesday, June 16, 2026

Iraq vs Norway

10:00 PM | Boston Stadium

Monday, June 22, 2026

France vs Iraq

9:00 PM | Philadelphia Stadium

Friday, June 26, 2026

Senegal vs Iraq

7:00 PM | Toronto Stadium

Imed Ben Amara |

Editorar, fr

Imed Ben Amara - bilingual sports writer and web editor with experience in football content creation. Since 2021, he has contributed to Foot Africa, providing news coverage and analysis.

Related teams and leagues

Iraq

Norway

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