Iraq at FIFA World Cup 2026

Iraq returned to theFIFA World Cup 2026 after a 40-year absence, the Lions of Mesopotamia opening Group I with a 4-1 defeat to Norway at Boston Stadium on Tuesday 16 June. Aymen Hussein's brilliant 39th-minute header briefly levelled the match at 1-1 before Erling Haaland's brace, a Leo Østigård header, and a stoppage-time Hussein own goal sent Norway top of the group.

Under Australian head coach Graham Arnold, who took the Socceroos to the Round of 16 at Qatar 2022, the Iraq national football team now face World Cup favourites France in Philadelphia and Senegal in Toronto needing a near-miracle to extend the campaign beyond the group stage.

Quick Betting Snapshot

Sportsbet.io recommended bet: Iraq to score against Senegal at -120. The Lions of Mesopotamia proved they can score against elite international defences when Aymen Hussein's header equalised against Norway on MD1, and the Senegal MD3 fixture in Toronto becomes a realistic must-result match for both sides. Goal-scoring markets are the cleanest betting angles for a returner nation chasing their first World Cup victory.

Iraq's Tournament Context: A 2nd World Cup Appearance

Iraq are making their second appearance at a FIFA World Cup and their first since Mexico 1986, one of the longest gaps in modern World Cup history. The return was sealed through one of the most dramatic qualifying paths of the entire 2026 cycle, with the Lions of Mesopotamia claiming the tournament's final 48th spot via the intercontinental playoff in Monterrey on 31 March 2026.

Iraq's only previous appearance came at the 1986 tournament in Mexico under Brazilian coach Évaristo de Macedo. Drawn alongside Paraguay, Belgium, and hosts Mexico, Iraq exited at the group stage with no points and one goal, scored by Ahmed Radhi against Belgium. Radhi's strike remained the country's only World Cup goal until Aymen Hussein's header against Norway on Matchday 1 of the 2026 tournament.

Iraq's most significant international achievement remains the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, where they beat Saudi Arabia 1-0 in the final in Jakarta amid the country's civil instability, widely considered one of football's most emotionally significant tournament victories. Iraq sit at No. 58 in the FIFA world rankings, with a peak of No. 39 reached in October 2004.

Head coach Graham Arnold, the 62-year-old Australian, was appointed on 9 May 2025 during the third round of AFC qualifying, succeeding Spanish coach Jesús Casas, and steering the Lions of Mesopotamia through the AFC fourth and fifth rounds and the playoff. Arnold previously had two spells with Australia, most recently from 2018 to 2024, leading the Socceroos to the Round of 16 at Qatar 2022.

His appointment makes him one of the few coaches in history to lead two different nations at a World Cup. His tactical identity is a compact 4-4-2 built around physical pressing, disciplined shape, fitness, set-piece organisation, and rapid counters through Aymen Hussein's hold-up play. The brief is unambiguous: deliver Iraq's first-ever World Cup victory and convert the 40-year-return narrative into a historic best-third-placed qualification.

Road to the World Cup 2026

Iraq qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026 through one of the most demanding paths of the entire tournament: a 21-match marathon spanning four AFC rounds and a final intercontinental playoff against Bolivia, losing just three matches across the entire campaign.

• AFC Second Round: Iraq won all 6 matches, topping Group F with a +15 goal differential to advance to the third round.
• AFC Third Round: Iraq finished third in their group behind South Korea and Jordan, missing automatic qualification by a single point and entering the fourth-round playoff process.
• AFC Fourth Round: Iraq finished second in their three-team group (a 1-0 win over Indonesia and a scoreless draw with hosts Saudi Arabia), advancing to the fifth round.
• AFC Fifth Round: Iraq beat the United Arab Emirates 3-2 on aggregate across two legs, an Al-Ammari penalty deep in second-leg stoppage time securing the intercontinental playoff spot.
• Intercontinental Playoff Final: Iraq beat Bolivia 2-1 at Monterrey Stadium on Tuesday 31 March 2026. Ali Al-Hamadi headed Iraq in front in the 10th minute, Moisés Paniagua equalised for Bolivia in the 38th, and Aymen Hussein restored the lead in the 53rd minute, finishing a Marko Farji cross from close range to seal the historic qualification.
• Top scorers during qualifying: Aymen Hussein (six goals) led Iraq's scoring chart across the campaign, with Ali Jasim also among the contributors and Al-Hamadi adding the critical Bolivia opener.

The most significant developments across the cycle were the May 2025 mid-campaign appointment of Graham Arnold (replacing Jesús Casas), the breakthrough of Ahmed Qasem as a senior international after his Sweden-to-Iraq allegiance switch, and the integration of Manchester United youth product Zidane Iqbal as a regular starter at FC Utrecht in the Eredivisie. Pre-tournament friendlies included a 1-0 win over Andorra on 30 May 2026 (the result that confirmed Arnold's final 26-man cut from his initial provisional squad) and a difficult outing against Spain on 4 June 2026.

Iraq Full Squad List

Graham Arnold announced his confirmed 26-player Iraq World Cup 2026 squad on Sunday 1 June 2026. The Iraq World Cup squad 2026 reflects Arnold's faith in the core group that delivered the Bolivia playoff victory, with the most experienced inclusion being returning captain Jalal Hassan (veteran goalkeeper, recovered from injury) and the most exciting newcomer being Nashville SC attacking midfielder Ahmed Qasem (a former Sweden youth international).

Notable omissions include Dundee defender Dario Naamo (a recent Finland-to-Iraq switch), 19-year-old Bayern Munich academy product Jussef Nasrawe, and winger Montader Madjed. The roster carries nine Europe-based players alongside the domestic Iraqi Stars League core.

Goalkeepers

Defenders

Midfielders

Forwards

The squad mixes the Iraqi Stars League domestic core (ten players from Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya, Al-Shorta, Al-Karkh, Al-Zawraa, and Al-Najaf) with the European-based diaspora wave (Iqbal at Utrecht, Doski at Copenhagen, Al-Ammari and Yakob in the Allsvenskan, Al-Hamadi at Luton, Jasim at Como, Amyn at Hearts, Farji at Rizespor) and the Saudi/Iran-based veterans (Mohanad Ali at Al-Hilal, Sulaka at Persepolis). The most internationally recognised name remains Mohanad Ali, the 25-year-old Al-Hilal striker who has been one of the most prolific Asian forwards of his generation.

Key Iraq Players to Watch at the World Cup 2026

Aymen Hussein (Striker, Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya)

The 30-year-old Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya striker scored Iraq's first World Cup goal in 40 years with a brilliant 39th-minute header against Norway on Matchday 1, becoming only the second Iraqi to score at a World Cup after Ahmed Radhi in 1986. Hussein's career has been built primarily in the Iraqi Stars League, with repeated showings against AFC opposition establishing him as one of the continent's most dependable strikers.

For Iraq, Hussein has 60 caps and 24 international goals, and his role is to lead the line in Graham Arnold's compact 4-4-2 with hold-up play, aerial threat, and the in-the-box finishing that defined the qualifying campaign and the MD1 equaliser against Norway.

Sportsbet.io player prop tip: Aymen Hussein to score against Senegal at +275 is value given his MD1 form. Hussein to be Iraq's top tournament scorer at +175 is the favourite-priced lock on the player prop slate.

Ali Al-Hamadi (Striker, Luton Town on loan from Ipswich Town)

The 24-year-old Luton Town Championship striker made history as the first Iraqi ever to play in the Premier League during his time at Ipswich Town in 2024-25 and arrives at the World Cup with the cachet of having scored the 10th-minute opener against Bolivia that started the historic playoff qualification. Al-Hamadi's career has taken him from non-league Wycombe Wanderers and AFC Wimbledon through Ipswich's promotion-winning campaign and now Luton on loan, where his pace and direct running has impressed in the Championship.

For Iraq, Al-Hamadi has 17 caps and 5 international goals, including the Bolivia header that defined his international career and made him a national hero.

Sportsbet.io player prop tip: Ali Al-Hamadi to score against Senegal at +350 is value given Iraq's must-result MD3 fixture. Al-Hamadi to be Iraq's top tournament scorer at +400 is the alternative angle to Hussein.

Jalal Hassan (Captain, Goalkeeper, Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya)

The 33-year-old Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya goalkeeper is Iraq's captain and the squad's experienced defensive leader. Hassan made his senior international debut in the early 2010s and has been Iraq's first-choice goalkeeper for most of the past decade, with the captaincy passed to him under Arnold for the 2026 tournament.

His MD1 performance against Norway was a difficult night: a weak Iraq back-pass allowed Haaland to nip in and restore Norway's lead at 2-1, although Hassan's earlier saves had kept Iraq in the contest, and he later denied Haaland a hat-trick with a sharp close-range stop.

Sportsbet.io player prop tip: Jalal Hassan to make 6+ saves against France at -110 is the volume play given the pressure Iraq will face on MD2. Hassan to keep a clean sheet against Senegal at +650 is the long-shot defensive flier.

Zidane Iqbal (Attacking Midfielder, FC Utrecht)

The 23-year-old FC Utrecht Eredivisie midfielder is Iraq's most decorated European-based talent, his Manchester United academy pedigree (a senior United debut in the Champions League against Young Boys in 2021) giving Arnold the technical quality the midfield depends on. Iqbal moved from Manchester United to Utrecht in summer 2024 in search of regular minutes and has established himself as an Eredivisie regular.

For Iraq, Iqbal has 12 caps and 1 international goal, and his role is to provide the line-breaking creativity that complements Iraq's defensive structure.

Sportsbet.io player prop tip: Zidane Iqbal to provide an assist at the tournament at +275 is value given his role as Iraq's primary creator. Iqbal to score against Senegal at +650 is the alternative match-prop angle.

Mohanad Ali (Striker, Al-Hilal)

The 25-year-old Al-Hilal striker is Iraq's most internationally recognised forward, his Saudi Pro League experience elevating him into one of the AFC's standout attacking talents. Mohanad Ali came through Iraqi football's youth pathway and made his name at Al-Shorta before his current Al-Hilal stint, where he has won multiple Saudi Pro League titles.

For Iraq, Mohanad Ali has 38 caps and 14 international goals, and his role is to provide the alternative attacking option to Hussein and Al-Hamadi when Arnold rotates the front line.

Sportsbet.io player prop tip: Mohanad Ali to score against Senegal at +400 is value given the must-result MD3 fixture. Mohanad Ali to be Iraq's top tournament scorer at +350 is the alternative pick to Hussein.

Tactical Analysis: How Iraq Will Play

Arnold's Iraq plays a compact 4-4-2 that shifts into a 4-5-1 out of possession, built around two banks of four, physical pressing in midfield zones, set-piece organisation, and rapid counters through Hussein's hold-up play and Al-Hamadi's pace. The expected lineup: Jalal Hassan in goal; a back four of Merchas Doski, Frans Putros, Rebin Sulaka, and Zaid Tahseen; a midfield four of Ibrahim Bayesh, Amir Al-Ammari, Aimar Sher, and Zidane Iqbal; with Aymen Hussein and Ali Al-Hamadi up top.

Against Norway, Arnold used broadly this shape and produced a credible first-half performance that drew Iraq level at 1-1 before a costly back-pass allowed Haaland to restore the lead. The outing demonstrated both the defensive structure that took Iraq through 21 qualifying matches and the individual error margin the elite level punishes.

Strengths: A selective mid-block press rather than aggressive front-foot pressing, with the two banks of four forcing opponents wide while Al-Ammari and Sher disrupt central progression. The system conceded under a goal per game across Arnold's first 13 competitive fixtures. Set pieces are a critical secondary route, with Hussein, Putros, and Sulaka all aerial threats from Iqbal or Al-Ammari deliveries, and the attack springs through Hussein's hold-up, Al-Hamadi's pace in behind, and rapid vertical transitions.

Vulnerabilities: The goalkeeper-error risk exposed against Norway, where two of the four goals stemmed from Iraq's own mistakes , a back-pass for Haaland's second and Hussein's stoppage-time own goal. The full-back pairing of Doski and Tahseen lack recovery pace against elite wingers, and a deep central pairing reliant on positional reading is vulnerable to direct vertical running into the channels, which France will look to exploit with Mbappé and Dembélé on MD2.

For betting markets: Iraq matches under Arnold lean toward low-scoring affairs against superior opposition until individual moments break the structure. Both teams to score has hit in 4 of Iraq's last 10 competitive matches. Over 2.5 goals at +110 is the France MD2 angle given Les Bleus' attacking quality, with under 2.5 goals at -110 the stronger Senegal MD3 angle given both sides' caution.

Iraq World Cup 2026 Fixtures and Group I Analysis

View the Iraq World Cup 2026 schedule below. Iraq are in Group I alongside France (Tier 1 World Cup favourites), Norway (UEFA, Erling Haaland), and Senegal (CAF, 2002 quarter-finalists).

Group I verdict after MD1: Norway lead Group I on goal difference after both they and France won their openers. Norway sit top with a +3 goal difference following their 4-1 win over Iraq in Foxborough, with France second on +2 after a 3-1 win over Senegal at Lincoln Financial Field (Kylian Mbappé brace). Both are level on three points, with Senegal and Iraq on zero , Iraq bottom on a -3 goal difference. Iraq's qualification path is mathematically alive through the best-third-placed format but realistically requires a result against either France or Senegal plus a significant goal-difference swing.

The France vs Iraq odds at +2200 reflect Les Bleus' overwhelming MD2 favouritism in Philadelphia, while the Senegal vs Iraq odds at +400 acknowledge the African side's clear quality difference. The pick of the group-stage matches for Iraq World Cup betting value is Senegal vs Iraq at BMO Field on 26 June. Senegal may already have qualified or be eliminated by MD3, the contrast between Pape Thiaw's aggressive Senegalese system and Arnold's structured Iraq setup creates a tactical fixture, and the result will define both nations' historic-result narrative.

Iraq World Cup 2026 Betting Markets and Angles

The full Iraq World Cup 2026 odds slate and the complete Iraq World Cup betting market on Sportsbet.io covers outright winners, group qualification, match results, and player props for every Lions of Mesopotamia fixture.

Outright Markets

The latest Iraq World Cup 2026 odds and Iraq outright odds World Cup markets reflect the realistic dark-horse status of Arnold's side post-MD1. Iraq to win World Cup odds remain at +25000 as one of the longest-shot picks at the tournament, but the to-score and historic-result markets offer genuine value following Aymen Hussein's header against Norway.

Player Markets

• Iraq top tournament scorer: Aymen Hussein +175 (favourite after MD1 goal)
• Mohanad Ali top Iraq scorer: +350
• Ali Al-Hamadi top Iraq scorer: +400
• Ali Jasim top Iraq scorer: +500
• Aymen Hussein to score 2+ goals at the tournament: +500

Aymen Hussein's MD1 goal against Norway, combined with his role as Iraq's most prolific active forward (24 international goals in 60 caps), makes him the clear favourite for Iraq top scorer. Mohanad Ali at Al-Hilal provides the alternative angle given his Saudi Pro League form.

Match Markets to Watch

The standout match-level betting angle is Iraq to score against Senegal at -120 on MD3. Senegal conceded three goals to France on MD1, the back four has rotation question marks, and Iraq's attacking quality through Hussein and Al-Hamadi proved capable of breaking elite international defences against Norway.

A consistent pattern worth noting: Iraq lost only three of 21 qualifying matches and conceded under 0.8 goals per match across Arnold's first 13 competitive fixtures. The 4-1 defeat to Norway broke that pattern in a single night , though two of those goals came from Iraq's own errors , but the underlying defensive structure remains a credible platform for the remaining group fixtures.

Specials and Novelty

Sportsbet.io is running tournament-long Iraq specials including:

• Iraq to record their first-ever World Cup victory
• Aymen Hussein to score in the historic first Iraq World Cup win
• Graham Arnold to become the first coach to win World Cup matches with two different nations
• Iraq to qualify from Group I as a best-third-placed side
• The Lions of Mesopotamia to score against France

Iraq World Cup Predictions and Sportsbet.io Verdict

Sportsbet.io's full Iraq World Cup predictions and Iraq World Cup tips cover ceiling, floor, and most likely outcome scenarios after the MD1 setback.

Realistic ceiling: Round of 32 appearance via best-third-placed qualification. The 48-team format genuinely helps a team like Iraq, who can still qualify as one of the eight best third-placed sides with a win or draw against Senegal and a competitive scoreline against France. That would represent the first knockout-stage appearance in Iraq's World Cup history.

Realistic floor: Group-stage exit with zero points and three defeats. If Iraq fail to record a result against either France or Senegal, the campaign will end without a single point, repeating the 1986 Mexico template despite the post-2007 footballing development.

Most likely outcome: Group-stage exit with one point and a competitive performance against Senegal. Arnold's side will look to absorb pressure against France on MD2 and target the all-or-nothing fixture against Senegal on MD3, with a draw producing the single point that would still likely fall short of best-third-placed qualification.

Sportsbet.io's recommended bet: Iraq to score in both remaining group games at +175 is the strongest value on the board post-MD1. Iraq's attacking quality and Hussein's MD1 goal prove they can score at this level, and goal-scoring markets are the cleanest angles for a returner nation chasing historic moments. For higher-payoff options, Aymen Hussein to be Iraq's top tournament scorer at +175 is the cleanest player prop on the page, and Iraq to record their first-ever World Cup victory at +500 is the historic-result flier on the Senegal MD3 fixture.

Iraq World Cup 2026 FAQ

When does Iraq play their first World Cup 2026 match?

Iraq played their first match at the FIFA World Cup 2026 against Norway on Tuesday 16 June 2026 at Boston Stadium (Gillette Stadium) in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The match ended 4-1 to Norway: Erling Haaland scored a first-half brace, Aymen Hussein equalised for Iraq with a 39th-minute header (Iraq's first World Cup goal since Ahmed Radhi against Belgium in 1986), Leo Østigård headed a third, and Hussein turned the ball into his own net in stoppage time for the fourth. Iraq's next match is against France at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Monday 22 June at 17:00 ET.

Which group is Iraq in at the World Cup 2026?

Iraq are in Group I at the FIFA World Cup 2026, alongside France (group favourites), Norway (Erling Haaland), and Senegal.

Who is Iraq's head coach at the World Cup 2026?

Graham Arnold is the Iraq head coach. The 62-year-old Australian was appointed on 9 May 2025 during the third round of AFC qualifying, succeeding Spanish coach Jesús Casas. Arnold previously had two spells as Australia (Socceroos) head coach, most recently from 2018 to 2024, when he led the Socceroos to the Round of 16 at Qatar 2022. Iraq became the second nation Arnold has led to a FIFA World Cup, putting him in an elite group of coaches who have taken two different countries to football's biggest stage.

What are Iraq's odds to win the World Cup 2026?

Iraq are priced at +25000 (251.00) to win the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Sportsbet.io as one of the longest-shot picks at the tournament. To qualify from Group I (post-MD1), Iraq are +2500, and to record their first-ever World Cup victory at any point in the tournament, +500.

Who is Iraq's star player at the World Cup 2026?

Aymen Hussein, the 30-year-old Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya striker, is Iraq's primary attacking threat after his header against Norway became only Iraq's second-ever World Cup goal (after Ahmed Radhi in 1986). Captain Jalal Hassan (veteran goalkeeper, Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya), Luton Town striker Ali Al-Hamadi (the first Iraqi ever to play in the Premier League), FC Utrecht midfielder Zidane Iqbal (former Manchester United academy player who made his United debut in the Champions League), and Al-Hilal forward Mohanad Ali are the squad's other standout names.

Has Iraq ever won the World Cup?

No. Iraq have never won the FIFA World Cup. The 2026 tournament is Iraq's second-ever appearance after the 1986 tournament in Mexico, where they exited at the group stage with no points and one goal (scored by Ahmed Radhi against Belgium). Iraq's most significant international achievement remains the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, where they beat Saudi Arabia 1-0 in the final in Jakarta during the country's civil war period, one of football's most emotionally significant tournament victories.

Where can I bet on Iraq at the World Cup 2026?

You can bet on every Iraq World Cup 2026 market on Sportsbet.io, including outright winners, group qualification, match results, player props on Aymen Hussein, Ali Al-Hamadi, Jalal Hassan, Zidane Iqbal, and Mohanad Ali, and a wide range of Lions of Mesopotamia historic-result specials. Live in-play betting is available on all Iraq matches.

Bet on Iraq at the World Cup 2026 with Sportsbet.io

The 40-year wait is over, and after the MD1 defeat to Norway the qualification picture is realistically reduced to chasing a historic first World Cup win and a best-third-placed long shot. Iraq's campaign continues against France at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on 22 June and closes against Senegal at BMO Field in Toronto on 26 June, with the Senegal fixture now the all-or-nothing target.

Sportsbet.io will price every Iraq market, every player prop on Hussein, Al-Hamadi, Hassan, Iqbal, Mohanad Ali, and the entire Lions of Mesopotamia squad, plus every in-play moment across the campaign, with live odds updates throughout each match.

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Related Sportsbet.io FIFA World Cup 2026 Pages

• FIFA World Cup 2026 Hub
• World Cup 2026 Matches
• Group I Betting Hub
• Outright Winner Odds
• Pick 'Em Contest
• France at the World Cup 2026
• Norway at the World Cup 2026
• Senegal at the World Cup 2026