Iraq
Coach: Graham Arnold
Starting XI Prediction
Star Players
All Players →
Fixtures
Group I
Full Squad Players List
| # | Player | Pos | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | |||
| 1 | Fahad Talib Al Talaba SC | GK | |
| 12 | Jalal Hassan Al Zawra'a SC | GK | |
| 22 | Ahmed BasilXI Al Shorta SC | GK | |
| Defenders | |||
| 2 | Rebin Ghareeb Port FC | DEF | |
| 3 | Hussein Ali Pogo ń Szczecin | DEF | |
| 4 | Zaid TahseenXI Pakhtakor Tashkent FK | DEF | |
| 5 | Akam HashemXI Al Zawra'a SC | DEF | |
| 6 | Manaf YounisXI Al Shorta SC | DEF | |
| 15 | Ahmed Yahya Al Shorta SC | DEF | |
| 23 | Merchas Doski FC Viktoria Plze ň | DEF | |
| 25 | Mustafa SaadoonXI Al Shorta SC | DEF | |
| 26 | Frans PutrosXI Persib Bandung | DEF | |
| Midfielders | |||
| 7 | Youssef Amyn AEK Larnaca FC | MID | |
| 8 | Ibrahim BayeshXI Al Dhafra SCC | MID | |
| 14 | Zidane IqbalXI FC Utrecht | MID | |
| 16 | Amir Al Ammari KS Cracovia | MID | |
| 19 | Kevin Yakob Aarhus GF | MID | |
| 20 | Aimar Sher Sarpsborg 08 FF | MID | |
| 24 | Zaid IsmailXI Al Talaba SC | MID | |
| Forwards | |||
| 9 | Ali Al Hamadi Luton Town FC | FWD | |
| 10 | Mohanad AliXI Dibba FC | FWD | |
| 11 | Ahmed Qasim Nashville SC | FWD | |
| 13 | Ali Yousef Al Talaba SC | FWD | |
| 17 | Ali Jassim Al Najmah SC | FWD | |
| 18 | Aymen HusseinXI Al Karma SC | FWD | |
| 21 | Marko Farji Venezia FC | FWD | |
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.