The Iraq national football team, proudly nicknamed the Lions of Mesopotamia, holds one of the most resilient and emotionally charged legacies in international football. Iraq famously made its first and only previous FIFA World Cup appearance exactly forty years ago in 1986, where they fought valiantly in the group stage and scored a historic solitary goal against Belgium. While global tournament appearances have been rare, their crowning historical achievement came in 2007 when they defied all odds amidst severe domestic conflict to win the AFC Asian Cup, uniting their nation and solidifying their reputation as a team that thrives under immense pressure. Now, having secured a dramatic qualification via the intercontinental play-offs against Bolivia, Iraq returns to the world stage for the FIFA World Cup 2026 under the guidance of veteran Australian manager Graham Arnold.
Drawn into a grueling Group I alongside powerhouse nations France, Senegal, and Norway, the team is no longer just looking to participate. This tournament represents a monumentally historic opportunity for a highly talented generation of dual-nationality stars and domestic heroes to honor the legacy of 1986, showcase their passionate footballing culture, and chase their first-ever knockout berth. The preliminary squad features a mix of experienced defenders (e.g., Rebin Sulaka, Frans Putros), versatile midfielders (e.g., Zidane Iqbal, Ibrahim Bayesh, Amir Al Ammari), and sharp forwards (e.g., Aymen Hussein, Ali Al Hamadi), featuring players listed in the official FIFA squad announcement.
See More: Algeria Squad for FIFA World Cup 2026
Iraq Squad for FIFA World Cup 2026
Goalkeepers: Jalal Hassan, Ahmed Basil, Fahad Talib, and Kumel Saadi.
Defenders: Rebin Sulaka, Frans Putros, Zaid Tahseen, Akam Hashim, Manaf Younis, Mustafa Saadoon, Ahmed Yahya, Ahmed Maknzi, Merchas Doski, Hussein Ali, Maitham Jabbar, Ahmed Al-Hajjaj, Ahmed Maknzi, and Dario Naamo.
Midfielders: Zidane Iqbal, Amir Al-Ammari, Ibrahim Bayesh, Youssef Amyn, Marko Farji, Kevin Yakob, Aimar Sher, Peter Gwargis, Zaid Ismail, Yussef Nasrawe, Hasan Abdulkareem, and Ahmed Qasem.
Forwards: Aymen Hussein, Mohanad Ali, Ali Al-Hamadi, Ali Jasim, Ali Yousif, and Karrar Nabeel.
Read More: Argentina Squad FIFA World Cup 2026
This dynamic and deeply motivated squad positions Iraq to surprise the world and challenge the elite in the FIFA World Cup 2026. By pairing the crucial tournament experience of seasoned veterans like returning captain Jalal Hassan and clinical striker Aymen Hussein with a wave of exciting European-raised prospects like Zidane Iqbal and Dario Naamo, Graham Arnold has engineered a balanced, fearless roster. As the Lions of Mesopotamia prepare to battle through the tactical challenges of Group I, they carry both the technical flexibility to disrupt heavyweights and the immense pride of a nation that has waited four decades for this moment.
