Iraq Announce World Cup Squad After Historic 40-Year Return

Iraq have officially announced their preliminary squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026 as the Middle Eastern nation prepares for its first appearance at football’s biggest tournament in 40 years.

The Iraqi national team last played at the FIFA World Cup in 1986. After decades of waiting, they have now secured qualification for the 2026 tournament and are preparing for a challenging group-stage campaign.

The squad includes several key players, including midfielder Amir Al Ammari, winger Ali Jasim and striker Aymen Hussein, who scored the decisive goal in Iraq’s intercontinental playoff victory over Bolivia.

Captain Jalal Hassan has also returned to the squad after missing the playoff match due to injury.

One of the biggest surprises in the squad announcement is the inclusion of three newcomers with European youth football backgrounds. Full-back Dario Namo, midfielder Jusef Nasrawe and attacking midfielder Ahmed Qasem have previously represented Finland, Germany and Sweden at youth level before receiving call-ups to Iraq’s senior national team.

Iraq have been placed in a difficult World Cup group alongside two-time champions France, Norway and Senegal.

Their World Cup journey will begin on June 16 against Norway at Boston Stadium. Iraq will then face France on June 22 before taking on Senegal in their final group-stage match on June 26.

Iraq Preliminary World Cup Squad

Goalkeepers:
Ahmed Basil, Jalal Hassan, Kumel Saadi, Fahad Talib

Defenders:
Hussein Ali, Merchas Doski, Akam Hashem, Maytham Jabbar, Ahmed Maknzi, Dario Namo, Frans Putros, Mustafa Saadoun, Rebin Sulaka, Zaid Tahseen, Ahmed Yahya, Manaf Younis

Midfielders:
Hasan Abdulkarim, Amir Al Ammari, Youssef Amin, Ibrahim Bayesh, Marco Farji, Peter Gwargis, Zidane Iqbal, Zaid Ismail, Ali Jasim, Karar Nabil, Jusef Nasrawe, Ahmed Qasem, Aymar Sher, Kevin Yakub

Forwards:
Mohanad Ali, Aymen Hussein, Ali Al Hamadi, Ali Youssef