Iraq
The Iraq National Team, founded in 1948 and governed by the Iraq Football Association, is one of Asia’s proud football nations. Best known for winning the 2007 AFC Asian Cup and becoming a symbol of resilience and unity, Iraq has also earned respect through its passionate supporters, rich football culture, and determined performances on the international stage, continuing to carry the pride and spirit of Mesopotamian football forward.
Explore the official Iraq National Team squad and get a clear overview of every player selected for the tournament. Discover the key details behind the stars, rising talents, and core squad members who shape the team’s World Cup 2026 campaign.
Masies Artien
Defender
Aug 8, 1993
Mohanad Abdulkadhim Qasim Al Jebur Jeahze
Defender
Apr 10, 1997
Ali Adnan Kadhim Al Tameemi
Defender
Dec 19, 1993
Jalal Hassan Hachim
Goalkeeper
May 18, 1991
Mohanad Ali Kadhim Al-Shammari
Attacker
Jun 20, 2000
Mohammad Saleh
Goalkeeper
Jun 12, 1995
Dhurgham Ismail Dawood Al Quraishi
Defender
May 23, 1994
Ahmad Allée
Midfielder
Apr 29, 1996
Allan Mohideen
Defender
Nov 11, 1993
Mustafa Nadhim Jari Al Shabbani
Defender
Sep 23, 1993
Pashang Abdulla
Attacker
May 29, 1994
Ahmad Adil Abbas
Midfielder
Jan 26, 1999
Mohammed Saleh
Midfielder
May 1, 1995
Ahmad Farhan
Midfielder
Aug 3, 2000
Ali Hayder Ali
Attacker
Oct 1, 2005
Mohammed Hassan Ahmad Mohamad
Goalkeeper
Apr 1, 2002
Abdulrazzaq Qasim Kadah Subaihawi
Midfielder
Feb 19, 2003
Adam Talib Abdulkhaleq Rasheed
Defender
Jul 10, 2006
Ahmed Yahia
Defender
Jan 19, 2001
Goalkeeper
Meet the Iraq National Team coaching staff, who play a vital role in preparing the squad for success on the international stage. Working behind the scenes, they support the team’s tactical development, physical conditioning, match preparation, and overall performance throughout World Cup 2026.
Graham James Arnold
Birthday:
Aug 3, 1963
Nationality:
Australia
Explore the latest Iraq matches at the FIFA World Cup 2026 and stay updated on results, key moments, and standout player performances from every game.
Iraq vs Bolivia
2 : 1
Apr 1, 2026 • World Cup - Qualification Intercontinental Play-offs
Estadio BBVA, Monterrey
Jordan vs Iraq
1 : 0
Dec 12, 2025 • Arab Cup
Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan
Algeria vs Iraq
2 : 0
Dec 9, 2025 • Arab Cup
Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan
Sudan vs Iraq
0 : 2
Dec 6, 2025 • Arab Cup
Stadium 974, Doha
Iraq vs Bahrain
2 : 1
Dec 3, 2025 • Arab Cup
Stadium 974, Doha
Iraq vs United Arab Emirates
2 : 1
Nov 18, 2025 • World Cup - Qualification Asia
Basra International Stadium, Basra
United Arab Emirates vs Iraq
1 : 1
Nov 13, 2025 • World Cup - Qualification Asia
Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Saudi Arabia vs Iraq
0 : 0
Oct 14, 2025 • World Cup - Qualification Asia
King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah
Iraq vs Indonesia
1 : 0
Oct 11, 2025 • World Cup - Qualification Asia
King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah
Thailand vs Iraq
0 : 1
Sep 7, 2025 • King's Cup
Kanchanaburi Provincial Stadium, Kanchanaburi
Iraq qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup through a long multi-stage AFC campaign rather than a single playoff run. They began by winning all six matches in the AFC second round, then finished the third round with 15 points from 10 matches, placing third in their group. In the fourth round, Iraq beat Indonesia 1–0 and drew 0–0 with Saudi Arabia, missing direct qualification on goals scored. They then defeated the United Arab Emirates 3–2 on aggregate in the fifth round before sealing their place at the World Cup with a 2–1 win over Bolivia in the inter-confederation playoff. It sent Iraq to their first World Cup since 1986.
Played
Qualification matches played
Won
Matches won
Drawn
Matches drawn
Lost
Matches lost
Goals For
Total goals scored
Goals Against
Total goals conceded
Goal Difference
GF minus GA
Points
3 per win, 1 per draw
Road to WC
Match | Date | MatchUp | Stadium | City | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Nov 16, 2023 | Iraq vs Indonesia | Basra International Stadium | Basra | 5:1 |
2 | Nov 21, 2023 | Vietnam vs Iraq | My Dinh National Stadium | Hanoi | 0:1 |
3 | Mar 21, 2024 | Iraq vs Philippines | Basra International Stadium | Basra | 1:0 |
4 | Mar 26, 2024 | Philippines vs Iraq | Rizal Memorial Stadium | Manila | 0:5 |
5 | Jun 6, 2024 | Indonesia vs Iraq | Bung Karno Stadium | Jakarta | 0:2 |
6 | Jun 11, 2024 | Iraq vs Vietnam | Basra International Stadium | Basra | 3:1 |
7 | Sep 5, 2024 | Iraq vs Oman | Basra International Stadium | Basra | 1:0 |
8 | Sep 10, 2024 | Kuwait vs Iraq | Jaber Al Ahmad International Stadium | Kuwait | 0:0 |
9 | Oct 10, 2024 | Iraq vs Palestine | Basra International Stadium | Basra | 1:0 |
10 | Oct 15, 2024 | South Korea vs Iraq | Seoul World Cup Stadium | Seoul | 3:2 |
11 | Nov 14, 2024 | Iraq vs Jordan | Basra International Stadium | Basra | 0:0 |
12 | Nov 19, 2024 | Oman vs Iraq | Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex | Muscat | 0:1 |
13 | Mar 20, 2025 | Iraq vs Kuwait | Basra International Stadium | Basra | 2:2 |
14 | Mar 25, 2025 | Palestine vs Iraq | Amman International Stadium | Amman | 2:1 |
15 | Jun 5, 2025 | Iraq vs South Korea | Basra International Stadium | Basra | 0:2 |
16 | Jun 10, 2025 | Jordan vs Iraq | Amman International Stadium | Amman | 0:1 |
17 | Oct 11, 2025 | Iraq vs Indonesia | King Abdullah Sports City | Jeddah | 1:0 |
18 | Oct 14, 2025 | Saudi Arabia vs Iraq | King Abdullah Sports City | Jeddah | 0:0 |
19 | Nov 13, 2025 | United Arab Emirates vs Iraq | Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium | Abu Dhabi | 1:1 |
20 | Nov 18, 2025 | Iraq vs United Arab Emirates | Basra International Stadium | Basra | 2:1 |
21 | Apr 1, 2026 | Iraq vs Bolivia | Estadio BBVA | Monterrey | 2:1 |
Iraq’s World Cup story is built on resilience, long waits, and a powerful return to the global stage. The Lions of Mesopotamia made their only previous World Cup appearance in 1986, when they became one of Asia’s representatives in Mexico. Although they went out in the group stage, that debut remains a major milestone in the nation’s football history.
A new historic chapter arrived in 2026, when Iraq qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 40 years after a demanding 21-match campaign — the longest qualifying journey of any team on the road to the tournament. Their return was full of drama: Iraq beat the United Arab Emirates 3–2 on aggregate in the AFC play-off round, then defeated Bolivia 2–1 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Play-Off Tournament to claim the final place at the finals. Ali Al-Hamadi and Aymen Hussein scored in that decisive win, sealing one of the biggest moments in Iraqi football history. From the landmark debut of 1986 to the emotional breakthrough of 2026, Iraq’s World Cup legacy is defined by persistence, pride, and a long-awaited return.
Iraq have appeared at the FIFA World Cup once, in 1986, with 2026 set to be their second participation. Their qualification for 2026 ended a 40-year absence from the finals.
Iraq’s best World Cup finish is the group stage, reached in 1986.
Ahmed Radhi is Iraq’s top World Cup scorer with 1 goal. He scored Iraq’s only goal at the finals, against Belgium in 1986.
Several Iraqi players share the record for most World Cup matches played, with 3 appearances each. Among them are Khalil Allawi, Rahim Hameed, Natiq Hashim, Ghanim Oraibi, Ahmed Radhi, Nadhim Shaker, and Ali Hussein Shihab.
In 2026, Iraq returned to the World Cup after the longest qualifying journey of any team, playing 21 matches before sealing qualification with a 2–1 win over Bolivia. Another defining World Cup moment remains Ahmed Radhi’s goal in 1986, still the nation’s only strike at the finals.
Follow Iraq at the FIFA World Cup 2026 and discover where the team will play throughout the tournament. Explore the full match schedule, host cities, and stadiums set to stage some of the competition’s biggest moments. From group-stage fixtures to possible knockout-round drama, find everything you need to experience the action live at football’s biggest event.
Iraq has played at the FIFA World Cup once before 2026 — 1986.
Iraq has never reached a FIFA World Cup final.
Iraq’s only previous World Cup (1986) ended in the group stage, so they have not reached the knockout rounds before 2026.
Iraq’s best World Cup result is the group stage (1986).
Iraq’s worst World Cup result is the group stage (1986), since that’s their only appearance before 2026.
Iraq’s most notable rivalries include Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait, shaped by decades of high-stakes regional meetings.
Iraq booked their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup through the inter-confederation play-off route, playing 21 matches in total and sealing qualification with a 2–1 win over Bolivia in the decisive play-off match.
Iraq’s group-stage venues are set for Boston, Philadelphia, and Toronto. They play Norway in Boston on June 16, 2026, then face France in Philadelphia on June 22, 2026, and finish the group against Senegal in Toronto on June 26, 2026.
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