Iraq

World Cup 2026 Analysis

Iraq: Lions of Mesopotamia Roar Back to the World Stage for FIFA World Cup 2026

After a 40-year hiatus, Iraq is set to make its highly anticipated return to the FIFA World Cup in 2026. The Lions of Mesopotamia, fueled by a blend of experienced veterans and exciting young talent, will be looking to make their mark on the biggest stage in football. Their qualification journey was a testament to their resilience and growing tactical prowess under head coach Graham Arnold.

Team Overview & FIFA Ranking

As of May 2026, Iraq holds a FIFA ranking of #50. The team's recent form leading into the World Cup has been mixed, but their ability to secure crucial wins when it mattered most speaks volumes about their fighting spirit. In late 2025 and early 2026, Iraq showcased their determination with victories in key qualification matches and the inter-confederation play-off. Their performance in the Arab Cup 2025 saw them defeat Bahrain 2-1 and Sudan 2-0, but they also experienced losses to Algeria (0-2) and Jordan (0-1) in December 2025. However, the ultimate triumph of securing a World Cup berth has instilled a renewed sense of confidence and national pride.

Qualification Journey

Iraq's path to the 2026 FIFA World Cup was a long and arduous 21-match campaign, culminating in a dramatic inter-confederation play-off victory.

• AFC Second Round: Iraq had an impressive start, winning all six of their matches in Group F, which included Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia.
• November 16, 2023: Iraq 5-1 Indonesia
• November 21, 2023: Vietnam 0-1 Iraq
• March 21, 2024: Iraq 1-0 Philippines
• March 26, 2024: Philippines 0-5 Iraq
• June 6, 2024: Indonesia 0-2 Iraq
• June 11, 2024: Iraq 3-1 Vietnam
• AFC Third Round: Drawn into Group B, Iraq faced stronger opposition in South Korea, Jordan, Palestine, Oman, and Kuwait. While they started well, inconsistencies emerged. Notable results included:
• September 5, 2024: Iraq 1-0 Oman
• November 19, 2024: Oman 0-1 Iraq
• June 5, 2025: Iraq 0-2 South Korea
• June 10, 2025: Jordan 0-1 Iraq
• Iraq finished third in their group, behind Jordan and South Korea, which meant they did not secure direct qualification.
• AFC Fifth Round (Play-off): Iraq advanced to the AFC fifth round, where they defeated the United Arab Emirates 3-2 on aggregate.
• November 13, 2025: United Arab Emirates 1-1 Iraq
• November 18, 2025: Iraq 2-1 United Arab Emirates
• Inter-confederation Play-off: In the final hurdle, Iraq faced Bolivia in Monterrey, Mexico. On March 31, 2026, Iraq secured their World Cup spot with a thrilling 2-1 victory. Ali Al-Hamadi opened the scoring in the 10th minute, and after Bolivia equalized, Aymen Hussein netted the clincher in the 53rd minute.

Key Players to Watch

Iraq's squad features a mix of seasoned campaigners and promising talents, many of whom play in European leagues, bringing valuable experience to the national team.

Aymen Hussein (Forward, Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya - Iraq)

The veteran striker is a crucial goal-scorer for Iraq, known for his physical dominance and aerial prowess. Hussein was Iraq's top scorer in AFC qualifying with eight goals and netted the winning goal in the inter-confederation play-off against Bolivia. His ability to perform in high-stakes matches will be vital.

Amir Al-Ammari (Midfielder, KS Cracovia - Poland)

Operating as the team's tactical heartbeat, Al-Ammari is a box-to-box midfielder who combines defensive steel with superb vision. He dictates the tempo and is instrumental in transitioning from defense to attack. Al-Ammari also proved to be a significant creative force, providing four assists in the qualifying campaign.

Ali Jasim (Left Winger, Como 1907 - Italy)

Jasim is an exciting young talent known for his explosive pace, dribbling ability, and technical intelligence. At just 22 years old, he is considered Iraq's most unpredictable attacking weapon, capable of turning a match around in a single moment. He also contributed four assists during qualification.

Zidane Iqbal (Central Midfield, FC Utrecht - Netherlands)

The former Manchester United academy product brings a European flair to Iraq's midfield. Iqbal's technical ability and composure on the ball are key to Iraq's build-up play and his vision can unlock defenses.

Rebin Sulaka (Centre-Back, Port FC - Thailand)

The experienced center-back is a defensive anchor for Iraq. Sulaka was Iraq's top tackler in qualifying, demonstrating his importance in organizing the defense and winning duels.

Tactical Setup & Manager

Iraq is coached by Australian Graham Arnold, who was appointed on May 9, 2025, succeeding Jesús Casas. Arnold previously led Australia to the Round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup, demonstrating his experience in navigating tournament football with teams that are not considered favorites.

Arnold's tactical approach for Iraq blends "Middle Eastern grit and relentless pressing with a measured, European-infused technical structure." His assistant, Rene Meulensteen, highlighted three key transformations under Arnold: organized defense, a clearer attacking tendency, and increased ball possession. The team typically employs a pragmatic 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formation, focusing on defensive organization first, followed by collective pressing, and then individual moments of brilliance in attack. Set-piece situations are also a significant part of Iraq's offensive strategy. Against stronger opponents in their group, Iraq will likely rely on compact defending, efficient counter-attacks, and capitalizing on set-pieces. Arnold emphasizes a "fighting mentality" and works to keep the team unified, especially amidst the challenges faced by the nation.

Group Stage & Tournament Outlook

Iraq has been drawn into a formidable Group I for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, alongside reigning world champions France, African giants Senegal, and an Erling Haaland-led Norway. This is widely regarded as one of the toughest groups in the tournament.

Their schedule is:

• June 16: Iraq vs. Norway (Foxborough/Boston Stadium)
• June 22: France vs. Iraq (Philadelphia Stadium)
• June 26: Senegal vs. Iraq (Toronto Stadium)

France are the overwhelming favorites to top the group, while Senegal and Norway will fiercely contest for the second direct qualification spot. For Iraq, the realistic expectation is to challenge for third place. Given the expanded 48-team format, where the best third-placed teams can also advance to the Round of 32, every goal and point will be crucial. Iraq will need disciplined defensive awareness against Norway, absolute technical precision against France, and peak physical and mental sharpness against Senegal. While considered outsiders, their strong defensive organization and motivational drive could allow them to be a difficult opponent, potentially aiming for a historic first World Cup win.

Historical World Cup Record

Iraq's appearance in the 2026 FIFA World Cup marks only their second time at the global showpiece. Their sole previous participation was in Mexico 1986. In that tournament, Iraq was in Group B and unfortunately finished last with zero points, scoring only one goal and conceding four.

• Paraguay 1-0 Iraq
• Iraq 1-2 Belgium (Ahmed Radhi scored Iraq's only goal)
• Mexico 1-0 Iraq

This new generation of Iraqi talent will be eager to improve on that record and perhaps secure the nation's first-ever World Cup victory.