Iraq World Cup Squad 2026: Full 26-Player Roster
Iraq are back at the World Cup after 40 years away. Graham Arnold confirmed his final 26-player squad on June 1, with veteran goalkeeper Jalal Hassan named captain. The Lions of Mesopotamia grabbed the tournament’s last spot by beating Bolivia 2-1 in Monterrey, their first appearance since 1986.
The Iraq World Cup 2026 squad mixes home-grown talent with a strong diaspora core. Nine players are based in Europe, from Zidane Iqbal at Utrecht to Ali Al-Hamadi in England. Iraq sit 58th in the FIFA ranking and land in Group I with France, Senegal and Norway, one of the toughest groups in the draw.
This is your full Iraq World Cup Squad 2026 list, schedule, and key player breakdown for the 2026 tournament.
Iraq 26-Player Squad for World Cup 2026
| Position | Player | Club | Age | Caps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Jalal Hassan (C) | Al-Zawraa | 35 | 100 | 0 |
| GK | Fahad Talib | Al-Talaba | 31 | 21 | 0 |
| GK | Ahmed Basil | Al-Shorta | 29 | 14 | 0 |
| DF | Rebin Sulaka | Port FC | 34 | 54 | 1 |
| DF | Manaf Younis | Al-Shorta | 29 | 32 | 1 |
| DF | Merchas Doski | Viktoria Plzeň | 26 | 30 | 0 |
| DF | Zaid Tahseen | Pakhtakor | 25 | 26 | 1 |
| DF | Frans Putros | Persib | 32 | 26 | 0 |
| DF | Hussein Ali | Pogoń Szczecin | 24 | 25 | 1 |
| DF | Ahmed Yahya | Al-Shorta | 30 | 19 | 0 |
| DF | Mustafa Saadoon | Al-Shorta | 25 | 15 | 0 |
| DF | Akam Hashim | Al-Zawraa | 27 | 12 | 1 |
| MF | Ibrahim Bayesh | Al-Dhafra | 26 | 74 | 8 |
| MF | Amir Al-Ammari | Cracovia | 28 | 49 | 3 |
| MF | Ali Jasim | Al-Najma | 22 | 35 | 2 |
| MF | Youssef Amyn | AEK Larnaca | 22 | 25 | 2 |
| MF | Zidane Iqbal | Utrecht | 23 | 23 | 2 |
| MF | Marko Farji | Venezia | 22 | 10 | 0 |
| MF | Kevin Yakob | AGF | 25 | 7 | 0 |
| MF | Aimar Sher | Sarpsborg 08 | 23 | 6 | 0 |
| MF | Zaid Ismail | Al-Talaba | 24 | 5 | 0 |
| MF | Ahmed Qasem | Nashville SC | 22 | 1 | 0 |
| FW | Aymen Hussein | Al-Karma | 30 | 93 | 33 |
| FW | Mohanad Ali | Dibba Al-Fujairah | 25 | 71 | 27 |
| FW | Ali Al-Hamadi | Luton Town | 24 | 18 | 5 |
| FW | Ali Yousif | Al-Talaba | 30 | 6 | 1 |
(C) = captain. Squad as confirmed on June 1, 2026. Ages, caps, and goals reflect FIFA’s official squad list as of the June 11, 2026 tournament start. Ali Al-Hamadi is at Luton Town on loan from Ipswich Town.
Quick Stats
Iraq’s squad leans on a wide diaspora and a core of domestic regulars. Key numbers:
- Average age: 26.7 years
- Oldest player: Jalal Hassan (35)
- Youngest players: a cluster at 22, including Ali Jasim, Youssef Amyn, Marko Farji and Ahmed Qasem
- Most-capped player: Jalal Hassan (100 caps)
- Leading scorer in the squad: Aymen Hussein (33 international goals)
- Europe-based players: 9 (including Zidane Iqbal, Marko Farji, Amir Al-Ammari and Aimar Sher)
- Iraq Stars League players: 11 (Al-Shorta, Al-Zawraa, Al-Talaba and more)
- Premier League pioneer: Ali Al-Hamadi, the first Iraqi to play in the English top flight
Key Players to Watch in the Iraq World Cup 2026 Squad
Aymen Hussein, Al-Karma. Hussein is Iraq’s talisman and the man for the big moment. He scored the 53rd-minute winner against Bolivia that sealed qualification. The target striker is the squad’s top scorer with 33 international goals in 93 caps, and he leads the line with his hold-up play and aerial threat.
Mohanad Ali, Dibba Al-Fujairah. Ali is a clinical striker with 27 international goals, still only 25. The forward spent years at Al-Shorta before moving to the UAE in 2025. He gives Iraq a second genuine finisher alongside Hussein, often as an impact substitute.
Zidane Iqbal, Utrecht. Iqbal is the deep playmaker who sets Iraq’s tempo. Born in Manchester, he came through the Manchester United academy before moving to Utrecht in the Eredivisie. At 23 he controls midfield with clean passing, and he embodies the diaspora talent that rebuilt this team.
Jalal Hassan, Al-Zawraa. Hassan captains the side at 35, with 100 caps and years of service at one club. His leadership and experience anchor the group, though young Ahmed Basil has pushed hard for the number one shirt.
Ali Al-Hamadi, Luton Town. Al-Hamadi made history as the first Iraqi to play in the Premier League with Ipswich Town, and he is now on loan at Luton. He opened the scoring against Bolivia in the 10th minute. Pacey and direct, he gives Arnold a different attacking option.
Iraq World Cup 2026 Schedule
Iraq play all three group games in the United States and Canada. Kick-off times are listed in both Eastern Time (ET) and Arabia Standard Time (AST) for fans back home.
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Kickoff (ET) | Kickoff (AST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 16 | Norway | Boston Stadium (Gillette Stadium), Foxborough | 6:00 PM | 1:00 AM (June 17) |
| June 22 | France | Philadelphia Stadium (Lincoln Financial Field), Philadelphia | 5:00 PM | 12:00 AM (June 23) |
| June 26 | Senegal | Toronto Stadium (BMO Field), Toronto | 3:00 PM | 10:00 PM |
All kick-off times follow the official FIFA match schedule, and Iraq’s Group I place was set at the December 5, 2025 draw. You can track every fixture on our 2026 World Cup fixture schedule.
How Iraq Qualified for World Cup 2026
Iraq took the hard road. They finished third in their Asian third-round group, behind South Korea and Jordan, which sent them into the play-off rounds rather than to automatic qualification.
The fourth round came down to the wire. Iraq beat Indonesia 1-0, then drew 0-0 with Saudi Arabia on October 14 in Jeddah. The two sides finished level on points and goal difference, and Saudi Arabia went through as group winners on goals scored, leaving Iraq as runners-up.
That set up a two-legged Asian play-off with the United Arab Emirates. Iraq drew 1-1 in Abu Dhabi, then won 2-1 in Basra on November 18, sealed by an Amir Al-Ammari penalty in stoppage time, to win the tie 3-2 and reach the inter-confederation play-off.
The final act came in Mexico. On March 31, 2026, Iraq beat Bolivia 2-1 at Monterrey Stadium (Estadio BBVA). Ali Al-Hamadi headed them in front, Bolivia equalised through Moisés Paniagua, and Aymen Hussein settled it just after the break.
Iraq became the 48th and final team to qualify. Read the full Iraq World Cup history for the complete record, and FIFA’s report on how Iraq claimed the final place.
Head Coach: Graham Arnold
Graham Arnold is the experienced Australian in charge of Iraq’s return. He had two spells managing the Socceroos and steered Australia to the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup, where they lost to eventual winners Argentina. He resigned that job in 2024 and took the Iraq role in May 2025, walking straight into the qualification run-in.
Arnold builds his teams on organisation and fitness. Iraq sit in a compact mid-block, stay disciplined without the ball, and hit fast on the counter. Set-pieces and early crosses to Aymen Hussein are recurring weapons. By guiding Iraq to North America, Arnold becomes one of the few coaches to lead two different nations at a World Cup.
Arnold’s preferred shape is a compact 4-4-2 built to counterattack. Two banks of four stay disciplined and feed Zidane Iqbal to link play. Against stronger opponents, expect Iraq to sit deep and pick their moments.
Group I at a Glance
Iraq drew the short straw. Group I pairs them with a World Cup favourite and two dangerous European and African sides.
| Team | FIFA Ranking | World Cup Appearances | Best Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| France | 3 | 17th | Winner (1998, 2018) |
| Senegal | 15 | 4th | Quarterfinals (2002) |
| Norway | 31 | 4th | Round of 16 (1998) |
| Iraq | 58 | 2nd | Group stage (1986) |
FIFA rankings reflect the June 11, 2026 update, the last before the tournament. France are the clear favourites and a genuine title threat. Senegal carry real pace and power, while Norway bring Erling Haaland and a direct edge.
Iraq are the lowest-ranked side in the group, so realistic progress means chasing one of the eight best third-placed spots. Follow the Group I standings as results come in.
FAQ About Iraq World Cup Squad 2026
What is Iraq’s nickname?
Iraq are known as the Lions of Mesopotamia. The name nods to the ancient land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The team usually play in white or green at home.
Has Iraq ever won a World Cup match?
No. Iraq lost all three games at their only previous finals in 1986. They scored once, through Ahmed Radhi against Belgium, which remains the country’s sole World Cup goal heading into 2026.
Has Iraq ever won a major trophy?
Yes. Iraq won the AFC Asian Cup in 2007, beating Saudi Arabia 1-0 in the final. It stands as the greatest achievement in the nation’s football history and a symbol of unity during a difficult period.
Who is Iraq’s all-time top scorer?
Hussein Saeed is Iraq’s record scorer, with goals tallied across the 1970s and 1980s. He is not in the 2026 squad. Among the current squad, Aymen Hussein leads with 33 international goals.
How many Iraq squad players are based in Europe?
Nine of the 26 play club football in Europe, across England, Poland, the Netherlands, Italy, Norway, Denmark, the Czech Republic and Cyprus. That diaspora base gives Arnold a blend of styles and leagues to draw from.
Iraq’s World Cup 2026 Hopes
The Iraq World Cup Squad 2026 is built on grit, organisation and a deep diaspora pool. Arnold has a settled core, two reliable strikers, and a captain who keeps the back line calm. Nobody expects Iraq to top a group with France in it, and that is fine.
The realistic target is Iraq’s first-ever World Cup win and a run at one of the eight third-place spots that reach the Round of 32. Beat Norway in the opener, then stay compact against France and Senegal. After 40 years away, just being back is a milestone, and this group believes it can write a new chapter.
