This piece is part of a collaborative effort among leading media outlets from the 48 nations that have qualified for the 2026 World Cup. In anticipation of the tournament starting on June 11, insights from three countries are being shared daily.
The Strategy
A year ago, Graham Arnold’s appointment as head coach sparked doubts about Iraq’s chances of reaching the World Cup. After a disappointing defeat to Palestine, the team’s morale plummeted. The Lions of Mesopotamia seemed close to qualifying, but after just two games, they secured only one point, leading to the dismissal of coach Jesús Casas.
During his initial gathering with the players, the Australian coach emphasized faith by writing “believe” on the board and inquired if they had confidence in their ability to qualify. At 62 years old, Arnold implemented a 4-3-3 formation, and recently, a daring 4-4-2 with two forwards. Gradually, the players began to embrace his vision, focusing on discipline and changing their mindset with the goal of reaching the World Cup.
A pivotal moment came in November when Iraq was awarded a penalty in the dying moments of a match against the UAE, thanks to video assistant referee intervention. With the score at 1-1, Iraq needed to win to secure a place in the Inter-Confederation playoff. The crucial kick fell to Amir Al-Ammari, who had noticed the UAE goalkeeper’s tendency to dive early. He delayed his shot until the last moment, ultimately scoring.
Iraq: Group I Matches
16 June vs. Norway, Boston (6pm local, 11pm BST, 17 June 8am AEST)
22 June vs. France, Philadelphia (5pm local, 10pm BST, 23 June 7am AEST)
26 June vs. Senegal, Toronto (3pm local, 8pm BST, 27 June 5am AEST)
Just one game away from their first World Cup in four decades, Iraq faced Bolivia in Monterrey, marking their 21st qualifier. However, the journey was fraught with challenges. Political turmoil led to the closure of airspace, preventing Arnold from gathering his team. Stuck in a hotel in the UAE, he pleaded with FIFA to delay the playoff. Ultimately, after a grueling drive from Baghdad to Amman and a lengthy flight to Mexico, the team arrived just 10 days before the match.
“Do it for your families and make yourselves proud,” Arnold urged his players. Iraq struck first just 10 minutes into the game, but Bolivia equalized before Aymen Hussein scored the decisive goal, clinching the 48th and final spot at the World Cup. Arnold reflected, saying, “The players faced immense stress and pressure from 46 million Iraqis to qualify for the World Cup after 40 years. Each match was either heartbreak or survival.”
The Coach
Graham Arnold has made history as the first Australian to lead two different nations to the World Cup, previously guiding his national team to the 2022 edition in Qatar via playoffs. When Arnold resigned from coaching the Socceroos two years back, believing he had done all he could for his country, few anticipated his arrival as Iraq’s coach. The Lions of Mesopotamia find themselves in a challenging group, dubbed the “group of excitement” by Arnold, featuring France, Norway, and Senegal. “Let’s embrace this challenge,” Arnold stated. “The pressure is on France to win, as well as on Norway and Senegal to advance. For us, there’s nothing to lose; we’ll play without fear, aim to surprise the world, and enjoy every moment.”
Star Player
Aymen Hussein, once mockingly compared to an immobile plank of wood and criticized for his hairstyle, has risen to prominence by scoring the goal that secured Iraq’s World Cup berth after 40 years. “This dream has been with me since childhood. I carried the hopes of 46 million Iraqis as we pursued this shared dream,” he expressed.
Hussein’s journey is a testament to resilience, having lost both his father and brother amid the chaos following the 2003 US-led invasion. He endured harsh criticism and was derided for his missed chances, even prompting Iraq’s coach to step onto the pitch to advise him against taking a penalty at one point.
During the last World Cup qualifying campaign, the team faced public backlash, with hashtags like “This team doesn’t represent me” trending on social media. Aymen was among those targeted, confronting frustrated fans after one match. However, he turned his fortunes around. After netting the winner in Monterrey, he was awarded a diplomatic passport, three 2026 Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles, a villa, an apartment, a 21-carat gold iPhone 17 Pro Max, and a sizable plot of land. He now ranks among Iraq’s top five all-time goal scorers and is the highest-paid player in the Iraq Stars League with Al-Karma.
One to Watch
Online clips reveal a young Marko Farji skillfully maneuvering the ball past defenders and scoring goals. Those were his formative years, practicing with his father in Grimstad, Norway, where he fell in love with football at just five years old, catching the attention of clubs like Aston Villa, Liverpool, and Manchester City. A trial with City followed, but scouts advised him to improve his strength and mental resilience, which was a hard pill to swallow at just 11. Now at 22, he has matured into a formidable player, enjoying a breakout season with nine goals for Strømsgodset in Norway’s Eliteserien, culminating in a €1.3 million transfer to Serie A’s Venezia.
Unsung Hero
Demetrio Albertini, a midfielder for Italy’s teams during the 1994 and 1998 World Cups, was known for his pivotal role in the dominant Milan squad of the ’90s. Amir Al-Ammari shares a similar influence and style. A product of Brøndby IF, he initially struggled to identify his ideal position, often viewing himself as a box-to-box midfielder. However, the Jönköping native has evolved into a reliable modern No. 6. His crucial late penalty ensured Iraq progressed to the playoff in Monterrey, alleviating the burdens of a past misstep that contributed to Iraq’s exit in the 2023 Asian Cup round of 16.
Expected Lineup
What to Anticipate from Fans at Matches?
Iraqi fans are set to descend upon Foxborough, Philadelphia, and Toronto to witness the matches firsthand. A sizable Iraqi American community resides in the United States, particularly in Michigan, California, and Illinois, while Ontario in Canada also has a significant population. Years of conflict have dispersed Iraqis worldwide, and many will converge at the World Cup, embodying the nation’s heritage, present, and future. After a 40-year absence, Iraqis are thrilled to return to the global football stage. Should fans chant “Who told you to play Toba [football]” toward rival supporters, it would signal a strong performance from Iraq, a playful taunt rather than a mere chant. Another notable chant may be “With spirit, with blood, we redeem you, Iraq,” originally popularized during Saddam Hussein’s era, now adapted to honor Iraq.
U.S. Relations and Political Context
Over 30 years ago, Adnan Dirjal, then coach of Iraq, boldly proclaimed that qualifying for the 1994 World Cup in the U.S. would be a significant rebuke to America. While some argue that politics and sports should remain separate, the World Cup will reveal how intertwined they truly are. Donald Trump has acknowledged that the U.S. invasion of Iraq in the early 2000s was a mistake. For Iraqi fans, their main concern lies in having their visa applications approved, peacefully navigating U.S. Customs and Border Protection, ensuring security at matches, and facing reasonable ticket prices.
