Iraq will head to North America this summer for the FIFA World Cup 2026, ready to carve their name into footballing history.
This year’s tournament marks Iraq’s first appearance at the World Cup finals since 1986, when three consecutive defeats ended their campaign early. Four decades later, Graham Arnold’s 2026 squad has earned the nation a long-awaited return to football’s grandest stage, aiming for their first-ever win at the finals.
Following a crucial inter-confederation play-off victory over Bolivia in March, Iraq have been placed in Group I alongside Senegal, Norway, and tournament favourites France for the summer showdown.
Back in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, Iraq’s side struggled against top opposition, losing to Mexico, Paraguay and Belgium, managing to score only once against the formidable Red Devils.
Iraq’s journey back to the finals has been riddled with challenges far beyond football. After missing nine consecutive World Cups, their qualification and participation in the United States carry a significance that transcends the sport itself.
Arnold’s play-off squad was filled with seasoned internationals. Striker Aymen Hussein, with over 90 caps, leads a group where only five players have yet to reach double figures in international appearances.
Players from leagues across Thailand, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Uzbekistan, the Czech Republic, Poland, the Netherlands, Cyprus, Italy, Denmark, Norway and England will represent Iraq on the world stage.
Squad
GK: Fahad Talib (Al-Talaba)
GK: Jalal Hassan (Al-Zawraa)
GK: Ahmed Basil (Al-Shorta)
DF: Rebin Sulaka (Port)
DF: Hussein Ali (Pogon Szczecin)
DF: Zaid Tahseen (Pakhtakor)
DF: Akam Hashim (Al-Zawraa)
DF: Manaf Younis (Al-Shorta)
DF: Ahmed Yahya (Al-Shorta)
DF: Merchas Doski (Viktoria Plzen)
DF: Mustafa Saadoon (Al-Shorta)
DF: Frans Putros (Persib)
MF: Youssef Amyn (AEK Larnaca)
MF: Ibrahim Bayesh (Al-Dhafra)
MF: Ahmed Qasem (Nashville SC)
MF: Zidane Iqbal (Utrecht)
MF: Amir Al-Ammari (Cracovia)
MF: Ali Jasim (Al-Najma)
MF: Kevin Yakob (AGF)
MF: Aimar Sher (Sarpsborg)
MF: Marko Farji (Venezia)
MF: Zaid Ismail (Al-Talaba)
FW: Ali Al-Hamadi (Ipswich Town)
FW: Mohanad Ali (Dibba)
FW: Ali Yousif (Al-Talaba)
FW: Aymen Hussein (Al-Karma)
Fixtures
June 04, 2026: Spain vs Iraq, Estadio Abancor-Riazor, La Coruna, Spain
June 10, 2026: Venezuela vs Iraq, Estadio Pueblo Nuevo, San Cristobal, Venezuela
June 16, 2026: Iraq vs Norway, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, United States
June 22, 2026: France vs Iraq, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, United States
June 26, 2026: Senegal vs Iraq, BMO Field, Toronto, Canada
Recent Results
May 29, 2026: Iraq 1-0 Andorra, Estadio Municipal de Montilivi, Girona, Spain
March 31, 2026: Iraq 2-1 Bolivia, Estadio BBVA, Guadalupe, Mexico
November 18, 2025: Iraq 2-1 United Arab Emirates, Basra International Stadium, Basra, Iraq
November 13, 2025: United Arab Emirates 1-1 Iraq, Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, UAE
October 14, 2025: Saudi Arabia 0-0 Iraq, King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
October 11, 2025: Iraq 1-0 Indonesia, King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
June 10, 2025: Jordan 0-1 Iraq, Amman International Stadium, Amman, Jordan
June 5, 2025: Iraq 0-2 South Korea, Basra International Stadium, Basra, Iraq
March 25, 2025: Palestine 2-1 Iraq, Amman International Stadium, Amman, Jordan
March 20, 2025: Iraq 2-2 Kuwait, Basra International Stadium, Basra, Iraq
Iraq have been drawn in Group I for the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Head coach Graham Arnold brings a wealth of experience to Iraq’s campaign. The former Australian international began coaching in 1989 and took up his first national team role two decades ago, managing the Socceroos in two separate stints. Between those tenures, he also coached in Australia’s A-League and Japan’s J.League.
During his second spell in charge, Arnold guided Australia to the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup 2022, where they were eliminated by eventual champions Argentina in Al-Rayyan.
After resigning 18 months ago following a difficult qualifying run, Arnold quickly found a new challenge with Iraq, leading them to qualification for the 2026 tournament — a remarkable turnaround.
Among Iraq’s standout players is Mohanad Ali, who has become a central figure in the team. The 25-year-old forward has earned 70 international caps and scored 27 goals, putting him on course to chase the record of legendary striker Hussein Saeed. With time on his side, Ali remains a key attacking force for Iraq.
The Baghdad-born striker spent two extended periods with Al-Shorta before transferring to Dibba Al-Fujairah in the UAE in 2025, where he has netted six goals in his first 18 league matches.
