Iraq reached the World Cup through the playoff route, but belief is soaring across the Middle Eastern nation as it chases a long-awaited return to soccer’s biggest tournament.

After making its only World Cup appearance in 1986, Iraq is back in the spotlight with a monumental challenge ahead. The team, coached by Spaniard Jesús Casas, must find a way to compete with some of the sport’s biggest stars, including those representing powerhouse nations such as France and Norway.

Iraq roster for the 2026 World Cup

Goalkeepers

• Fahad Talib (Al-Talaba)
• Jalal Hassan (Al-Zawraa)
• Ahmed Basil (Al-Shorta)

Defenders

• Hussein Ali (Pogoń Szczecin)
• Manaf Younis (Al-Shorta)
• Zaid Tahseen (Pakhtakor)
• Rebin Sulaka (Port FC)
• Akam Hashem (Al-Zawraa)
• Merchas Doski (Viktoria Plzeň)
• Ahmed Yahya (Al-Shorta)
• Frans Putros (Persib Bandung)
• Mustafa Saadoon (Al-Shorta)

Midfielders

• Zaid Ismail (Al-Talaba)
• Amir Al-Ammari (Cracovia)
• Kevin Yakob (AGF Aarhus)
• Zidane Iqbal (FC Utrecht)
• Aimar Sher (Sarpsborg 08)
• Ibrahim Bayesh (Al-Dhafra)
• Ahmed Qasim (Nashville SC)

Forwards

• Youssef Amyn (AEK Larnaca)
• Marko Farji (Venezia FC)
• Ali Jassim (Al-Najma)
• Ali Al Hamadi (Ipswich Town)
• Ali Yousef (Al-Talaba)
• Aymen Hussein (Al-Karma)
• Mohanad Ali (Dibba Al-Hisn)

Head coach

Jesús Casas

Iraq’s 2026 World Cup schedule and group

Iraq appears to have drawn one of the most difficult groups at the 2026 World Cup. The Lions of Mesopotamia will kick off their campaign against a talented Norway squad before facing France and Senegal, two more major tests, as they look to pull off a surprise and reach the knockout stage. Here are the kickoff times for Iraq’s group-stage matches.

• Tuesday, June 16, 6pm ET: Iraq vs Norway
• Monday, June 22, 5pm ET: France vs Iraq
• Friday, June 26, 3pm ET: Senegal vs Iraq

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