Iraq

World Cup 2026 Analysis

Iraq's national football team, nicknamed the "Lions of Mesopotamia," is actively pursuing a spot in the FIFA World Cup 2026, marking a significant period for the squad. Their journey is being led by newly appointed head coach Graham Arnold, who took over in May 2025, succeeding Jesus Casas. Arnold, a former Australia boss who guided the Socceroos to the 2022 World Cup Round of 16, has been tasked with securing Iraq's qualification.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualification Prospects and Latest News

Iraq is currently in the third round of AFC (Asia) qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. They are placed third in Group B, trailing second-placed Jordan by one point and group leaders South Korea by four points. Their upcoming matches in June 2025 are critical: they will host South Korea on June 5th and then face Jordan in Amman on June 10th.

The team has shown strong form in the earlier stages of qualification, impressively winning all six matches in the second round, which also secured their qualification for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. A significant recent achievement came in November 2025 when Iraq dramatically defeated the United Arab Emirates 3-2 on aggregate in the AFC playoff. A late penalty in the 17th minute of added time in the second leg secured a 2-1 victory, sending Iraq to the intercontinental playoff round.

Iraq is scheduled to play in the intercontinental playoff on March 31, 2026, against an opponent yet to be determined (referred to as WSF2).

Team Overview

Under Graham Arnold, who announced a preliminary 30-man squad in May 2025, Iraq boasts a blend of experienced internationals and emerging talents. Key players mentioned in the preliminary squad include experienced goalkeepers Jalal Hassan and Fahad Talib, defenders such as Merchas Doski, Hussein Ali, and Saad Natiq, midfielders Amir Al-Ammari, Ali Jasim, and Ibrahim Bayesh, and forwards Aymen Hussein, Mohanad Ali, and Ali Al-Hammadi. Aymen Hussein is noted as a top scorer for the team, with Ali Jasim and Amir Al-Ammari being significant in terms of assists and chances created.

As of November 2024, Iraq held the 56th position in FIFA's global rankings and was ranked 6th in Asia. In October 2025, they were ranked 57th globally and 7th in Asia, trailing continental powerhouses like Japan, Iran, South Korea, Australia, Qatar, and Uzbekistan. The team won the 25th Arabian Gulf Cup in their coach Jesús Casas's first tournament in charge, defeating Oman 3-2 after extra time in the final. They also had a strong showing in the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, topping their group which included Japan, Vietnam, and Indonesia, with Aymen Hussein scoring key goals.

Analysis of Prospects

Iraq's prospects for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are significantly boosted by their advancement to the intercontinental playoff round. The appointment of an experienced coach like Graham Arnold, known for guiding Australia to the World Cup, provides a new strategic direction and leadership. The team's strong performance in the second round of qualifiers and their dramatic playoff victory against the UAE demonstrate their capability and resilience in high-stakes matches.

However, their position in the third round of AFC qualifiers (third in Group B) indicates that direct qualification from their group will be challenging, with tough competition from South Korea and Jordan. The upcoming matches against these teams will be crucial in determining their standing within the group.

The intercontinental playoff offers another pathway to the World Cup, a stage where Iraq will face competition from other confederations. Their ability to perform under pressure, as seen in the playoff against the UAE, will be vital. The blend of experienced players and emerging talents, along with a new coaching philosophy, could provide the necessary edge for Iraq to make a historic return to the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1986.