Iraq compete in Group Nine of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Record:
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AFC Asian Cup winners in 2007
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Only previous World Cup appearance: 1986 (eliminated in group stage)
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FIFA ranking: 57
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Nickname: Lions of Mesopotamia
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Top clubs: Al-Zawraa, Al-Shorta, Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya
Qualification: After a gruelling Asian qualifying campaign, Iraq failed to secure automatic qualification and had to navigate a long and demanding path — ending with a decisive inter-confederation play-off against Bolivia in Monterrey, Mexico, which they won 2–1 to book only their second ever World Cup place after 1986... also in Mexico.
Coach: Australian Graham Arnold took over in May 2025, replacing Spaniard Jesús Casas who was dismissed as Iraq's qualification hopes were fading. Under Arnold, Iraq overcame the UAE in the continental play-off (1–1 in the first leg, 2–1 in the second), then defeated Bolivia in the intercontinental tie. Arnold, who managed Australia in a record 72 matches between 2018 and 2024, is preparing for his second consecutive World Cup on the touchline — having guided the Socceroos to the round of 16 in Qatar 2022.
Star player: Aymen Hussein. The centre-forward and attacking leader, Iraq's best active scorer with 32 goals in 89 international appearances, including the decisive late goal against Bolivia.
Ambitions: In an extremely tough group containing France, Norway, and Senegal, Iraq appear vulnerable to an early exit — as happened in Mexico 40 years ago. But for a team that had to overcome major logistical challenges, playing their final qualifying matches in Monterrey due to the war in Iran, simply being at the World Cup is a significant achievement in itself. "It has been a crazy year, full of pressure for the players," Graham Arnold told AFP. "Every match was a matter of life or death."