The Iraq national team will make its first appearance in the FIFA World Cup in 40 years when it competes in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The Lions of Mesopotamia return to the global stage after a long absence since the 1986 Mexico World Cup, entering the tournament with high ambitions and a strong fighting spirit.

Group I — A Major Challenge

The 2026 FIFA World Cup draw placed Iraq in Group I alongside:

  • France — 2022 World Cup runners-up and one of the strongest teams in the world
  • Senegal — 2021 Africa Cup of Nations champions and a well-balanced squad led by world-class stars
  • Norway — A strong Scandinavian side led by Erling Haaland

This group is considered one of the toughest in the tournament, but Iraq possesses significant Asian experience and a fighting spirit that could produce an upset.

Manager: Jesús Casas

The Iraqi national team is led by Spanish manager Jesús Casas, who has been in charge since 2022 and has managed to build a balanced squad that combines experience with youth. Casas, who previously served as an assistant to Pep Guardiola at Barcelona, relies on an organized tactical approach that blends solid defense with rapid counter-attacks — an ideal strategy for facing teams of the caliber of France and Norway.

Casas led Iraq to a well-deserved qualification for the World Cup, achieving a historic performance in the Asian qualifiers, where the team demonstrated tactical discipline and a rare collective spirit.

Key Players

Iraq has a group of distinguished players who will bear the greatest burden in the World Cup:

  • Ali Adnan — A world-class left-back playing in the Saudi Pro League, known for his powerful shots and direct free kicks. He has prior European experience with Italian club Udinese and Canadian club Vancouver Whitecaps.
  • Aymen Hussein — Iraq’s primary striker and the top scorer in the Asian qualifiers. He possesses excellent physical attributes and skill in finishing attacks inside the box. He will be Iraq’s most dangerous weapon against the defenses of France and Senegal.
  • Ibrahim Baish — A standout playmaker who controls the tempo of the game and has excellent vision on the pitch. He is the mastermind in midfield and the main engine behind Iraqi attacks.

Iraq’s Path to the World Cup

Iraq delivered a heroic campaign in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers. The team qualified from the second Asian group after a strong and consistent performance, achieving notable results against established teams such as Japan, South Korea, and Australia.

Iraq’s victories in the qualifiers were no accident; they were the result of organized work and technical stability since Casas’ arrival. The team displayed organized defensive strength and tactical discipline, making them the hardest team to beat in the qualifiers.

World Cup Expectations

Iraq’s presence in a group featuring France, Senegal, and Norway means the task is extremely difficult, but football has taught us that upsets are always possible. The Lions ofThey are capable of troubling any opponent if they play with focus and discipline.

\n\n\n\n

Iraq’s biggest opportunity lies in the match against Norway, where the Scandinavian team may be the most competitive within the group. A draw against Senegal or even France — though difficult — is not impossible.

\n\n\n\n

Iraq’s primary and most important goal is to present an honorable image of Iraqi and Arab football after this long absence, and to prove that Asian football is capable of competing with the giants.

\n\n\n\n

Broadcasting Channels

\n\n\n\n

Iraq’s matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be broadcast via:

\n\n\n\n
    \n
  • beIN Sports — The exclusive broadcaster in the Middle East and North Africa
    • \n
  • SSC — Saudi Sports Channels (via the beIN package)
    • \n
  • Al Rabiaa — The Iraqi government sports channel (if it secures broadcasting rights)
    • \n
\n\n\n\n

Summary

\n\n\n\n

Iraq’s return to the FIFA World Cup after 40 years is an achievement in itself. Iraqi and Arab fans look forward to seeing the Lions of the Tigris hold Iraqi football high in the greatest footballing arena on Earth. Under the leadership of Casas and stars such as Adnan, Hussein, and Baish, Iraq possesses the tools to make its World Cup presence more than just a token participation.

\n\n\n\n

The group is tough — no one denies that — but in football, the impossible is not Iraqi 🇮🇶

\n