Iraq's road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup was one of the longest and most dramatic qualifying campaigns in football history. Thanks to their FIFA ranking, they bypassed the first round of Asian qualifying and opened in the second phase, where they dominated their group and advanced undefeated. The third round told a different story, however, as they finished behind South Korea and Jordan in a tough group, missing direct qualification by a single point. The fourth round proved equally difficult, with Iraq fighting to the very end before Saudi Arabia took the direct ticket on goal difference. That sent the Lions of Mesopotamia into a tense fifth round, where the winner would advance to the intercontinental playoff. After a 1-1 draw against the United Arab Emirates in the first leg, everything came down to Basra. The match remained level until deep into stoppage time, when a penalty converted by Amir Al-Ammari sent Iraq through to the global playoff. On Mexican soil, they defeated Bolivia 2-1 in a historic match to reach the World Cup for only the second time in their history.
The squad is led by Aymen Hussein, the national team's all-time leading scorer, who delivered a crucial goal during the qualifying campaign. Goalkeeper Jalal Hassan will serve as captain and is also the most experienced player in the squad with 100 caps. The roster features exciting talents such as Ali Al-Hamadi, a striker for Luton Town, and Amir Al-Ammari, a midfielder for Polish club Cracovia who became a national hero with his decisive playoff penalty. Other key figures include Marko Farji, Zidane Iqbal, and Akam Hashim.
Iraq face a daunting draw in Group I alongside France, Norway, and Senegal. The Lions of Mesopotamia begin their 2026 World Cup campaign on June 16 against Norway at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. On June 22, they take on France at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They then travel north to Toronto, Canada, to close out the group stage against Senegal on June 26 at BMO Field.
Iraq 2026 World Cup Squad:
Goalkeepers: Jalal Hassan (Al-Zawraa), Fahad Talib (Al-Talaba), Ahmed Basil (Al-Shorta)
Defenders: Rebin Sulaka (Port FC), Merchas Doski (Viktoria Plzeň), Hussein Ali (Pogoń Szczecin), Frans Putros (Persib), Manaf Younis (Al-Shorta), Mustafa Sadoon (Al-Shorta), Zaid Tahseen (Pakhtakor), Ahmed Maknzi (Al-Karma)*, Akam Hashim (Al-Zawraa)
Midfielders: Amir Al-Ammari (Cracovia), Zidane Iqbal (FC Utrecht), Ibrahim Bayesh (Al-Dhafra), Youssef Amyn (AEK Larnaca), Ali Jasim (Al-Najma), Zaid Ismail (Al-Talaba), Aimar Sher (Sarpsborg), Kevin Yakob (AGF), Marko Farji (Venezia FC), Ahmed Qasem (Nashville SC)
Forwards: Aymen Hussein (Al-Karma), Ali Al-Hamadi (Ipswich Town), Mohanad Ali (Dibba), Ali Yousif (Al-Talaba)
