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, ending the longest absence of any 2026 qualifier.
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 57th 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 squad list, schedule, and key player breakdown for the 2026 tournament.
Iraq 26-Player Squad for World Cup 2026
| Position | Player | Club | Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Fahad Talib | Al-Talaba | 31 |
| GK | Jalal Hassan (C) | Al-Zawraa | 35 |
| GK | Ahmed Basil | Al-Shorta | 29 |
| DF | Hussein Ali | Pogoń Szczecin | 24 |
| DF | Manaf Younis | Al-Shorta | 29 |
| DF | Zaid Tahseen | Pakhtakor | 25 |
| DF | Rebin Sulaka | Port FC | 33 |
| DF | Akam Hashem | Al-Zawraa | 27 |
| DF | Merchas Doski | Viktoria Plzeň | 26 |
| DF | Ahmed Yahya | Al-Shorta | 30 |
| DF | Zaid Ismail | Al-Talaba | 24 |
| DF | Frans Putros | Persib | 32 |
| DF | Mustafa Saadoon | Al-Shorta | 25 |
| MF | Amir Al-Ammari | Cracovia | 28 |
| MF | Kevin Yakob | AGF | 25 |
| MF | Zidane Iqbal | Utrecht | 22 |
| MF | Aimar Sher | Sarpsborg 08 | 23 |
| MF | Ibrahim Bayesh | Al-Dhafra | 25 |
| MF | Ahmed Qasim | Nashville SC | 22 |
| MF | Youssef Amyn | AEK Larnaca | 22 |
| MF | Marko Farji | Venezia | 22 |
| FW | Ali Jassim | Al-Najma | 22 |
| FW | Ali Al-Hamadi | Luton Town (on loan from Ipswich Town) | 24 |
| FW | Ali Yousef | Al-Talaba | 30 |
| FW | Aymen Hussein | Al-Karma | 30 |
| FW | Mohanad Ali | Dibba Al-Fujairah | 25 |
For all 48 team Squads, see our World Cup 2026 squads tracker.
Quick Stats
Iraq’s squad leans on a wide diaspora and a core of domestic regulars. Key numbers:
- Average age: about 27 years
- 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, 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
- Oldest player: Jalal Hassan (35)
- Youngest core: a cluster at 22, including Zidane Iqbal, Ali Jassim and Youssef Amyn
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 more than 20 international goals, still only 25. The Baghdad-born 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 22 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 nine years at one club. He missed the Bolivia play-off through injury, and Ahmed Basil’s strong display there means the number one shirt isn’t locked in. Hassan’s leadership and experience still anchor the group.
Ali Al-Hamadi, Luton Town. Al-Hamadi made history as the first Iraqi to play in the Premier League with Ipswich Town, and he’s now on loan at Luton. He opened the scoring against Bolivia in the 18th 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 confirmed at the December 5, 2025 draw. A planned warm-up against Costa Rica was called off over passport issues, so Arnold’s final tune-ups carry extra weight. 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 Asian 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 to finish 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 to 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) in front of 49,286 fans. Ali Al-Hamadi struck first, Bolivia equalised through Moisés Paniagua, and Aymen Hussein settled it 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. His former Manchester United assistant has been part of the backroom push to put Iraq back on the global stage.
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 | 1 | 17th | Winner (1998, 2018) |
| Senegal | 14 | 4th | Quarterfinals (2002) |
| Norway | 32 | 4th | Round of 16 (1998) |
| Iraq | 57 | 2nd | Group stage (1986) |
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’s 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.
