Iraq
Coach: Jesús Casas
Starting XI Prediction
Star Players
All Players →
Fixtures
Group I
Full Squad Players List
| # | Player | Pos | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | |||
| 1 | Jalal HassanXI Al-Zawra'a | GK | |
| 12 | Dhurgham Ismail Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya | GK | |
| 23 | Hayder Al-Sharifi Al-Shorta | GK | |
| Defenders | |||
| 2 | Salam ShakirXI Al-Zawra'a | RB | |
| 3 | Ali AdnanXI Giresunspor | LB | |
| 4 | Humam TariqXI Al-Shorta | CB | |
| 5 | Saad Abdul-AmirXI Al-Zawra'a | CB | |
| 13 | Ahmed Ibrahim Al-Naft | RB | |
| 14 | Abbas Tamim Al-Shorta | CB | |
| 15 | Bashar Resan Al-Zawra'a | CB | |
| 21 | Mohannad Abdul-Raheem Al-Zawra'a | RB | |
| 25 | Dhia Saber Fateh | LB | |
| Midfielders | |||
| 6 | Amjed AttwanXI Al-Zawra'a | CDM | |
| 8 | Ali FaezXI Basra Sports City | CM | |
| 10 | Ibrahim BayeshXI Al-Shorta | CAM | |
| 16 | Osama Rashid Fateh | CDM | |
| 20 | Safaa Hadi Al-Naft | CM | |
| 24 | Hammam Yousif Al-Naft | CAM | |
| Forwards | |||
| 7 | Mohanad AliXI Al-Zawra'a | LW | |
| 9 | Aymen HusseinXI Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya | ST | |
| 11 | Yusuf AbidXI Al-Zawra'a | RW | |
| 17 | Hussein Ali Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya | LW | |
| 18 | Alaa Abbas Al-Zawra'a | ST | |
| 19 | Karrar Jassim Al-Minaa | LW | |
| 22 | Ali Jasim Aris Thessaloniki | ST | |
| 26 | Rebin Sulaka FC Nordsjaelland | RW | |
World Cup History
—
Titles
1
Appearances
1
WC Goals
0
Wins
Best finish: Group stage (1986)
Top scorer: Ahmed Radhi (1 goal)
Most capped: Ahmed Radhi (3 matches)
Record: 0W – 0D – 3L
Iraq made their only World Cup appearance in Mexico 1986 — losing all three group games but scoring a historic goal through Ahmed Radhi against Belgium. Their 2026 qualification is their first return to the World Cup in 40 years and represents a remarkable achievement for a nation that endured decades of conflict. Mohanad Ali leads the new generation.
Tournament Eras
The 1986 Debut
1986Iraq qualified for Mexico 1986 under Yugoslav coach Weoroslav Milovanović — their only World Cup appearance to date. They lost to Paraguay (1-0), Belgium (2-1), and Mexico (1-0), but Ahmed Radhi's goal against Belgium provided a moment of joy. The squad featured players from the Saddam-era clubs, and many went on to domestic coaching careers.
The Long Road Back — 2026
2020–2026After 40 years, Iraq returned to World Cup qualifying with a generation of players developed through adversity. Their 2026 qualification — navigating the competitive AFC third round — represents one of the most meaningful achievements in Asian football given the nation's history since 1986.
Iconic Moments
Radhi's Goal — Iraq's First World Cup Strike
Ahmed Radhi's goal against Belgium in 1986 was Iraq's first and only World Cup goal for 40 years. Despite the 2-1 defeat, Radhi's powerful header gave a nation pride in their debut tournament. He became Iraq's most celebrated footballer of the era.