🇮🇶 Iraq
Lions of Mesopotamia return four decades on from Mexico 86.
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Lions of Mesopotamia Return
Iraq have qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026, representing the AFC confederation. Their presence at the tournament is a proud moment for their football nation and for the fans who have followed this journey through every qualifying match.
Iraq's first World Cup since Mexico 1986 lands them in the toughest possible Group I: holders France, Erling Haaland's Norway, and African mainstay Senegal. Spanish coach Jesús Casas was hired in 2022 to drag the Lions of Mesopotamia back to relevance, and the qualification run vindicated every minute of the project.
AFC Wimbledon striker Ali Al-Hamadi gives Iraq a Premier League path-into-the-area threat, and Como midfielder Ali Jasim provides the creative spark. The realistic outcome is three honourable defeats and a nation that finds its football identity again. The 2007 Asian Cup win proves Iraq does not fear the underdog tag.
Group I Draw
All 4 teams in Iraq's group. Top 2 advance automatically, plus the 8 best third-placed teams across all 12 groups.
How the 2026 Group Stage Works
Iraq's 2026 Squad
Projected, official call-up to be confirmed
Likely first eleven
in a 4-3-3.
Editorial first XI based on qualifying form, club minutes, and Jesus Casas's recent selection. The official sheet is named one hour before kickoff.
- 1Jalal Hassan
- 4Manaf Younus
- 5Rebin Sulaka
- 2Merchas Doski
- 3Akam Hashim
- 8Amir Al-Ammari
- 17Bashar Resan
- 10Ali Jasim
- 9Aymen HusseinCAPTAIN
- 11Ali Al-Hamadi
- 7Ibrahim Bayesh
All 23 players
Goalkeepers
3 playersDefenders
7 playersMidfielders
6 playersForwards
7 playersEditorial selection based on current first-team form. The final 26-player squad is at the head coach's discretion and is announced approximately one month before the tournament.
Iraq in AFC
Asia (AFC)
AFC sends 8 Asian teams, reflecting the continent's growing football quality. Japan and South Korea regularly reach the knockout stage.
Iraq competed against other AFC nations through a multi-year qualifying campaign to secure their spot at the 2026 World Cup. The expanded format of 48 teams gave more nations a path to the tournament than ever before.
Other AFC teams at 2026
No Ticket? Watch Iraq At a Fan Zone
Every Iraq group match is screened live on the giant screen at the FIFA Fan Fest in the host city. Free entry, no queue, just show up. Every other host city also screens every match, so wherever you are, you can join the crowd.
