IRQ
FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 · GROUP I · POT 4

Iraq
World Cup 26-man squad

Manager Graham Arnold · Australian head coach since 2025. Former Australia head coach who led the Socceroos to the Qatar 2022 R16. A 4-3-3 specialist who engineered Iraq's first World Cup in 40 years.
MD1 Jun 16 vs Norway MD2 Jun 22 vs France MD3 Jun 26 vs Senegal
1th World Cup appearance · best finish: Group stage (1986)
26
Squad size
26.4
Avg. age
17 / 26
Overseas-based
0 / 25
WC veterans / Debutants
TEAM STORY

Graham Arnold's (Australian) Iraq announced their final 26 on June 1 (trimmed from 34). This is Iraq's first World Cup in 40 years (since Mexico 1986) — the long-awaited dream finally realised. Notably, both Iraq's prior and current World Cup appearances are co-hosted by Mexico (1986 and 2026).

Spine: captain Jalal Hassan (Al-Zawraa, 100-cap keeper) + Aymen Hussein (Al-Karma, 33 goals, the most among the current squad) + Mohanad Ali (Dibba, the technician nicknamed 'Mimi') + Zidane Iqbal (Utrecht, Man Utd-developed and the first British South Asian to play in the Champions League) + Ali Al-Hamadi (Luton Town). A mix of IPL, Middle East and Swedish-born Iraqi naturalised players (Al-Ammari, Doski, Yakob, Sher, Farji).

Group I opponents: Norway, France, Senegal. June 16 vs NOR (Boston Stadium) → June 22 vs FRA (Philadelphia Stadium) → June 26 vs SEN (Toronto). A first World Cup win since 1986 is the realistic target.

PREDICTED XI

LIKELY 4-3-3.

Graham Arnold's preferred 4-3-3. Aymen Hussein (33 goals) or Mohanad Ali (27 goals) at No.9, Qasem left, Al-Hamadi (Luton) right. Al-Ammari anchors with Bayesh + Iqbal (Man Utd-developed) as 8s. Sulaka + Hussein Ali at CB. Captain Hassan (100 caps) in goal.

4-3-3 (predicted)
KEY PLAYERS

KEY PLAYERS.

The five players who set the tone in the group stage — by role and trait.

12
GK · GK
Jalal Hassan
Al-Zawraa · 35
100 caps · 0G WC debut
Captain & 100-cap keeper
CAPTAIN
10
ST · FW
Mohanad Ali
Dibba · 25
70 caps · 27G WC debut
Technician nicknamed 'Mimi'
ACE
18
ST · FW
Aymen Hussein
Al-Karma · 30
93 caps · 33G WC debut
Most goals among the current squad (33)
14
CM · MF
Zidane Iqbal
Utrecht · 23 · Eredivisie
23 caps · 2G WC debut
Man Utd-developed midfielder
9
ST · FW
Ali Al-Hamadi
Luton Town · 24
17 caps · 5G WC debut
Striker at Luton (Championship)
SQUAD

SQUAD 26.

GK GOALKEEPERS 3
DF DEFENDERS 9
MF MIDFIELDERS 7
FW FORWARDS 7
GROUP I

GROUP I.

FRA
France
POT 1
SEN
Senegal
POT 2
NOR
Norway
POT 3
IRQ
Iraq
POT 4
Tue, Jun 16
Norway vs Iraq
Boston Stadium · Foxborough, MA
Iraq's first World Cup in 40 years (since Mexico 1986). Vs Norway in Boston — containing Haaland tests captain Hassan's keeping.
View lineups →
MD1
Mon, Jun 22
France vs Iraq
Philadelphia Stadium · Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia (Lincoln Financial Field) clash vs Pot 1 France (Mbappe, Dembele). Iraq leans on defensive intensity and Mohanad Ali's technique — a giant-kill opportunity.
View lineups →
MD2
Fri, Jun 26
Senegal vs Iraq
Toronto Stadium · Toronto
Group decider vs Senegal (Mané, Koulibaly). A first World Cup win in 40 years is the realistic target.
View lineups →
MD3

Road to the final

Spoiler-free: the potential bracket route by final group position. No results shown.

Win Group I
  1. Round of 32 Jun 30 · East Rutherford vs 3rd place (C/D/F/G/H)
  2. Round of 16 Jul 04 · Philadelphia vs Winner of Match 74
  3. Quarter-finals Jul 09 · Foxborough vs Winner of Match 90
  4. Semi-finals Jul 14 · Arlington vs Winner of Match 98
  5. Final Jul 19 · East Rutherford vs Winner of Match 102
Runners-up, Group I
  1. Round of 32 Jun 30 · Arlington vs Runners-up Group E
  2. Round of 16 Jul 05 · East Rutherford vs Winner of Match 76
  3. Quarter-finals Jul 11 · Miami Gardens vs Winner of Match 92
  4. Semi-finals Jul 15 · Atlanta vs Winner of Match 100
  5. Final Jul 19 · East Rutherford vs Winner of Match 101
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