World Cup 2026: major blow for Iraq

Iraq may be losing far more than just a match against France. Their captain and main attacking threat, Aymen Hussein, was forced to leave the pitch after only 25 minutes of play in this 2026 World Cup encounter.

Clearly struggling physically, the Iraqi striker requested a substitution at the very first hydration break. Unable to continue, he was replaced by Ali Al Hamadi, leaving his teammates and coaching staff deeply concerned.

The captain leaves his teammates behind

The scene quickly sparked anxiety among the Iraqi ranks. As the team’s leader and attacking reference point, Aymen Hussein appeared to be suffering from an injury serious enough to prevent him from carrying on.

His early exit is a massive setback for a team already struggling against the reigning world champions. The striker was one of Iraq’s biggest hopes for pulling off an upset in this World Cup.

Is his World Cup already over?

While no official diagnosis has been released yet, initial reactions suggest a significant injury. Several observers are already speculating that the Iraqi captain’s tournament could be over.

Iraq holds its breath. Losing Aymen Hussein for the remainder of the competition would be a massive setback for the Lions of Mesopotamia, who were counting on their star striker to keep their World Cup dream alive. This injury also affects an iconic figure in Iraqi football. As a respected captain and the face of the national team, Aymen Hussein embodied the ambitions of an entire nation at this 2026 World Cup.

Nouya M'toama

Editorfr, en

Versatile journalist specializing in sports and political news, with extensive experience across radio, print and digital media platforms.