Iraq at the World Cup 2026
Iraq arrive at the 2026 World Cup ending a 40-year World Cup absence — their last (and only previous) appearance was Mexico 1986, where they lost all three group games without scoring. Graham Arnold, the Australian coach who managed the Socceroos to Qatar 2022 before resigning in September 2024, took over Iraq's national-team duties in late 2024 for the explicit purpose of delivering the inter-confederation playoff result.
Arnold's setup is a 4-2-3-1 with captain Aymen Hussein leading the line. Hussein, 35, has 90-plus international caps and the most senior experience of any player in the squad. The double pivot of Amir Al-Ammari (Halmstad, Sweden) and Bashar Resan (Esteghlal, Iran) provides structural breakup work; Iraqi League veteran Hammadi Ahmed offers a target-man alternative up front.
The squad's individual talent is concentrated in the wide attacking positions. Ali Jasim (Como, Serie A on loan) is the right-of-three attacker; Mohanad Ali — once known as the Iraqi Messi — competes for the No. 10 role. Defensively, Vancouver Whitecaps' Ali Adnan is the most-experienced player; Bashar (Al-Wakrah) and Tahseen (Al-Najaf) form the centre-back pair.
Group I contains France, Norway and Senegal. Iraq are the heavy outsiders at consensus 7.50. The realistic ceiling is one group-stage draw — likely the opener against Norway; the credible baseline is a 0W/0D/3L exit. Outright tournament price 1001.0 — the longest of any qualifier in the entire tournament.
Outright odds — Iraq to win World Cup 2026
Group I fixtures
All three group-stage matches for Iraq at World Cup 2026 with current odds from our partner books.
Squad & predicted XI
Hassan · Bashar, Tahseen, Ali Adnan, Al-Ammari · Resan, Bayesh · Aboud, Ali Hussein, Talib · Aymen Hussein (c)
Formation: 4-2-3-1 · Coach: Graham Arnold
| Player | Position | Club | Caps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jalal Hassan | GK | Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya | 60 | 0 |
| Ali Adnan | DF | Vancouver Whitecaps | 90 | 7 |
| Manaf Younis | DF | Persepolis | 38 | 1 |
| Akam Hashim | DF | Al-Talaba | 25 | 0 |
| Saad Natiq | DF | Al-Najma | 40 | 2 |
| Bashar Resan | MF | Esteghlal | 55 | 5 |
| Amir Al-Ammari | MF | Halmstad | 28 | 3 |
| Mohanad Ali | MF | Esteghlal | 45 | 17 |
| Ali Jasim | FW | Como | 22 | 4 |
| Aymen Hussein (c) | FW | Al-Wakrah | 95 | 28 |
How Iraq qualified for World Cup 2026
Iraq's qualifying journey was the longest of any AFC nation. They finished second in their Round 3 group behind Jordan, dropping into Round 4 (the three-team additional round). In Round 4 they finished second behind Saudi Arabia (drawing 0-0 with the Saudis and beating Indonesia on goals-scored tiebreakers).
The Round 5 two-legged tie against UAE — November 2025 — was the tournament-defining moment of the campaign. The first leg in Dubai ended 1-1; the second leg in Basra was tied 1-1 entering the second-half stoppage time. Iraq scored a game-winning penalty in the 107th minute (17 minutes into stoppage time) to clinch the inter-confederation playoff spot.
The inter-confederation playoff in March 2026 produced wins over both Suriname (CONCACAF) and New Caledonia (OFC) — the latter being the dramatic 2-2 / 4-3 aggregate result that confirmed Iraq's place in the 2026 finals. Graham Arnold was the head coach for the entirety of the four-match Round 4-5 sequence plus the inter-confederation playoffs.
World Cup history
Iraq have appeared at one previous World Cup — Mexico 1986. They lost all three group matches: 1-0 to Paraguay, 2-1 to Belgium, 1-0 to Mexico. They did not score across the tournament. The 40-year absence between 1986 and 2026 includes Iraq's most-famous footballing moment — the 2007 AFC Asian Cup title, won in Jakarta amid the height of the Iraq War, with the players dedicating the victory to the country.
| Year | Host | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Mexico | Group stage |
| Player | Position | Club | Caps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hussein Saeed | FW | retired | 137 | 78 |
| Younis Mahmoud | FW | retired | 148 | 57 |
| Ahmed Radhi | FW | deceased (2020) | 122 | 46 |
| Aymen Hussein | FW | Al-Wakrah | 95 | 28 |
| Mohanad Ali | MF | Esteghlal | 45 | 17 |
| Ali Adnan | DF | Vancouver Whitecaps | 90 | 7 |
FAQ
Who is Iraq's coach at World Cup 2026?
Graham Arnold, head coach since late 2024. The Australian coach previously managed the Socceroos to Qatar 2022 (Round of 16) before resigning in September 2024. He was appointed to Iraq with the explicit remit of delivering inter-confederation playoff success — which he accomplished via wins over UAE, Suriname and New Caledonia.
Is this Iraq's first World Cup since 1986?
Yes. Iraq's only previous World Cup appearance was Mexico 1986 — a 40-year absence. They lost all three group games at that tournament (1-0 to Paraguay, 2-1 to Belgium, 1-0 to Mexico) and did not score. The 2026 tournament is the chance to claim a first-ever World Cup goal and first-ever point.
How did Iraq qualify for World Cup 2026?
Iraq qualified through the inter-confederation playoff route. They finished second in AFC Round 3, second in Round 4, then beat UAE in the two-legged Round 5 in November 2025. In March 2026 they beat Suriname and New Caledonia in the inter-confederation playoff to claim the final World Cup spot — the most-difficult route any qualifier this cycle had to take.
Who is Iraq's all-time top scorer?
Hussein Saeed with 78 goals from 137 caps. Saeed was the architect of Iraq's 1986 World Cup squad and the 1982 Asian Games gold-medal team. Younis Mahmoud (the 2007 AFC Asian Cup-winning captain) sits second on 57 goals from 148 caps. The active top scorer is captain Aymen Hussein with 28 goals from 95 caps.
What group is Iraq in at World Cup 2026?
Group I alongside France, Norway and Senegal. France are favourites at 1.50; Senegal and Norway compete for second place; Iraq are the heavy outsiders. Iraq open against Norway at Estadio BBVA Monterrey on 16 June, face France on 22 June (MD2), and conclude against Senegal in their final group match.