This article is part of the 2026 World Cup Experts’ Network, a collaboration among top media outlets from all 48 qualifying nations. As the tournament approaches, previews from three countries will be shared daily, leading up to the kickoff on June 11.
Rebuilding the Team
When Graham Arnold took over as head coach a year ago, few believed he could guide Iraq to the World Cup. Spirits were low following a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Palestine, a match where they squandered a late lead. The Lions of Mesopotamia were once on track to qualify but managed only one point from their initial two matches, leading to the dismissal of Jesús Casas.
In their first meeting, the Australian coach scribbled the word “believe” on the board, challenging his players to have faith in their ability to qualify. The 62-year-old has implemented a 4-3-3 formation and recently experimented with a daring 4-4-2 setup featuring two strikers. Gradually, the team began to embrace Arnold’s vision, focusing on discipline and a shift in mindset, with the ultimate goal of reaching the World Cup.
The turning point came when Iraq was awarded a penalty through the video assistant referee in the dying moments against the UAE in Basra last November. With the score tied at 1-1, victory was imperative for Iraq to progress to the Inter-Confederation playoff. The decisive moment hinged on the final kick, where Amir Al-Ammari, the penalty taker, capitalized on the UAE goalkeeper’s tendency to dive early, waiting until the last moment to slot the ball into the right corner.
Iraq: Group I Fixtures
16 June vs Norway, Boston (6 PM local, 11 PM BST, 17 June 8 AM AEST)
22 June vs France, Philadelphia (5 PM local, 10 PM BST, 23 June 7 AM AEST)
26 June vs Senegal, Toronto (3 PM local, 8 PM BST, 27 June 5 AM AEST)
Just one match away from their first World Cup appearance in four decades, Iraq faced Bolivia in Monterrey for their 21st qualifier. However, complications arose as war erupted in the Middle East, forcing airspace closures and halting flights. While Arnold was stranded in a hotel in the UAE, he demanded FIFA postpone the playoff. Eventually, after a grueling 12-hour drive from Baghdad to Amman and a 17-hour flight to Mexico, Iraq arrived just ten days before the crucial match.
“Play for your families and make yourselves proud,” Arnold urged his players. Iraq struck early, scoring ten minutes into the match. However, Bolivia equalized to draw level at halftime before Aymen Hussein scored the decisive goal, securing the 48th and final World Cup spot. Arnold reflected, “The players endured immense stress and pressure from 46 million Iraqis to qualify for the World Cup after 40 years. Each match was a fight for survival.”
The Coach
Graham Arnold has made history as the first Australian to lead two different nations to the World Cup, having guided Australia to the 2022 tournament in Qatar via the playoffs. When he stepped down from the Socceroos two years ago, believing he had done all he could for the team, few anticipated his next role would be as coach of Iraq. The Lions of Mesopotamia find themselves in a daunting group, which Arnold affectionately labels the “group of excitement,” alongside France, Norway, and Senegal.
“Let’s seize this opportunity,” Arnold declared. “The pressure is on France to win, and Norway and Senegal must perform to advance. For us, there’s no pressure; we have everything to gain. We’ll play fearlessly, aim to surprise the world, and savor the experience.”
Star Player
Aymen Hussein, once ridiculed for his lack of movement and peculiar hairstyle, has transformed his narrative, scoring the pivotal goal that secured Iraq’s World Cup berth after a 40-year hiatus. “This has been a dream I’ve held since childhood. The hopes of 46 million Iraqis accompanied me as we worked towards this shared dream,” he shared.
His journey has been fraught with personal tragedy, having lost his father and brother in the chaos following the 2003 US-led invasion. Criticism often targeted him during his struggles, including a time when Iraq’s coach had to intervene on the pitch to prevent him from taking a penalty.
During the last World Cup qualifying campaign, fans turned against the team amid poor results, trending the hashtag “This team doesn’t represent me.” Aymen was among the players who faced backlash, even confronting fans post-match after a qualifier. However, he turned the tide, and after netting the winner in Monterrey, he received numerous accolades including a diplomatic passport, three Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles, a villa, an apartment, a 21-carat gold iPhone 17 Pro Max, and a 200-square-meter land parcel. He now ranks among Iraq’s top five all-time goal scorers and is the highest-paid player in the Iraq Stars League, playing for Al-Karma.
One to Watch
Footage exists of a young Marko Farji, skillfully maneuvering past defenders and scoring goals. These early years were spent training with his father in Grimstad, Norway, where he developed a passion for football at the tender age of five, attracting interest from clubs such as Aston Villa, Liverpool, and Manchester City. Despite a trial at City that revealed he needed to strengthen both mentally and physically, Farji has since matured into a formidable 22-year-old winger, enjoying a breakthrough season with nine goals for Strømsgodset in Norway’s Eliteserien before his transfer to Serie A’s Venezia for €1.3 million.
Unsung Hero
Amir Al-Ammari, reminiscent of Italy’s midfield maestro Demetrio Albertini from the ’90s, is a player whose influence on the pitch is often understated. The Brøndby IF graduate took time to discover his optimal position, initially viewing himself as a box-to-box midfielder. However, he has evolved into a modern metronomic No 6. His crucial penalty in Monterrey not only ensured Iraq advanced to the playoffs but also alleviated the haunting memories of a previous error that led to their exit in the 2023 Asian Cup round of 16 against Jordan.
What to Expect from Fans
Iraqi supporters will make their way to Foxborough, Philadelphia, and Toronto to cheer on their team. A significant Iraqi American population resides in states like Michigan, California, and Illinois, with many also settled in Ontario, Canada. The diaspora, shaped by decades of conflict, will unite at the World Cup, symbolizing Iraq’s rich history and bright future. After 40 years, the joy of returning to the global football stage resonates deeply.
Should fans begin to chant, “Who told you to play Toba [football]” at rival supporters, it will signify that Iraq is performing well on the field—a popular taunt rather than merely a chant. Additionally, they might express, “With spirit, with blood, we redeem you, Iraq,” a chant that has evolved from its origins under Saddam Hussein, now reflecting solely on Iraq.
Historical Context
Over three decades ago, Adnan Dirjal, then Iraq’s coach, asserted that qualifying for the 1994 World Cup in the US would deliver “the biggest slap to the monster America.” Despite the saying that politics and sports should remain separate, the World Cup will showcase how intertwined the two can be. Donald Trump has acknowledged the US invasion of Iraq in the 2000s as a misstep. For Iraqi fans, the primary concern is ensuring their visa applications are processed smoothly, allowing them to navigate US Customs and Border Protection hassle-free while attending matches at reasonable ticket prices.
