A team profile of Iraq (Lions of Mesopotamia), back at the FIFA World Cup after 40 years: 58th in the FIFA ranking, 2nd appearance, Graham Arnold's tactics, the intercontinental playoff story, and the Group I outlook with France, Senegal and Norway.
Follow as many teams and players as you like — every match you care about, synced to your calendar.
Every Matchday 1 result from the 2026 World Cup group stage, group by group. Messi's hat-trick, Haaland and Mbappé doubles, Germany's seven-goal rout, and Japan's 2-2 with the Netherlands — plus what each result sets up for Matchday 2.
Japan's 2026 World Cup games kick off at 5am vs Netherlands, 1pm vs Tunisia and 8am vs Sweden. Where to watch them across Japan — every DAZN AEON Cinema, Toei cinema, free AEON Mall venue and HUB branch, in region-by-region tables with names, stations and prices.
A team profile of Cape Verde (Blue Sharks), who reached a first-ever FIFA World Cup: 68th in the FIFA ranking, a half-million-population island nation's historic feat, coach Bubista, players to watch like Jamiro Monteiro, and the Group H challenge against Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.
A team profile of Saudi Arabia (Green Falcons), who beat Argentina in 2022: 61st in the FIFA ranking, 7th appearance, best result Round of 16 in 1994, Georgios Donis's tactics, players to watch like Salem Al-Dawsari, and the Group H outlook with Spain, Uruguay and Cape Verde.
Every Matchday 1 result from the 2026 World Cup group stage, group by group. Messi's hat-trick, Haaland and Mbappé doubles, Germany's seven-goal rout, and Japan's 2-2 with the Netherlands — plus what each result sets up for Matchday 2.
Paris Saint-Germain beat Arsenal on penalties (1-1 aet, 4-3) in the 2026 Champions League final to go back-to-back. The goals, the shootout, Vitinha's MOTM, Arteta's reaction, what it means, and how Japan watched it.
View the World Cup 2026 schedule across all 104 matches, with timezone-aware kickoff times and calendar options for every fixture.
A team profile of Cape Verde (Blue Sharks), who reached a first-ever FIFA World Cup: 68th in the FIFA ranking, a half-million-population island nation's historic feat, coach Bubista, players to watch like Jamiro Monteiro, and the Group H challenge against Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.
A team profile of Uruguay (La Celeste) at the FIFA World Cup 2026: 17th in the FIFA ranking, 15th appearance, two-time champions (1930, 1950), Marcelo Bielsa's tactics, players to watch like Federico Valverde, and the Group H outlook with Spain, Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde.
Arsenal are 2025-26 Premier League champions — their first title in 22 years. How Mikel Arteta's side clinched it, the players behind it, and what comes next, including the Champions League final.
After 40 years away, the Lions of Mesopotamia are back on the World Cup stage. This is a full team profile of Iraq at the FIFA World Cup 2026: their history, how they play, the players to watch, and the brutal group waiting for them. They arrive as underdogs in Group I, but with the pride of the 2007 Asian Cup and a national story that makes them impossible not to follow.
Iraq's World Cup story began at Mexico 1986. In their first finals appearance they were drawn with Paraguay, Belgium and hosts Mexico, losing all three group matches. But Ahmed Radhi's goal against Belgium remains Iraq's first and only World Cup goal so far, a moment that still carries weight across generations.
The road after that was long and difficult. Political instability, disruption at home and restrictions around hosting matches all kept the World Cup distant. Yet Iraqi football has one defining peak that still burns bright: the 2007 Asian Cup. In punishing circumstances, Iraq beat major opponents including Australia, South Korea and Saudi Arabia to become Asian champions. It was more than a tournament win. It was a title that pulled a country together.
The 2026 campaign became another test of endurance. Iraq swept through the second round of Asian qualifying, stumbled short of direct qualification in the third round, then had to survive the fourth round, the AFC fifth-round play-off and the inter-confederation play-off. They beat the UAE 3–2 on aggregate, then defeated Bolivia 2–1 in Mexico to finally end the 40-year wait. Iraq's return is the story: a long absence, a hard road, and a team that would not let go.
Under Graham Arnold, Iraq are built more on structure and resilience than spectacle. The former Australia coach knows the World Cup stage, and his teams tend to value defensive spacing, duels, concentration and the ability to stay in matches even when possession is scarce.
This is not a side expected to dominate the ball for long stretches. Iraq will scrap in midfield, work the flanks, play quickly into their forwards and try to turn set pieces or transitions into something bigger. Against Group I's superior individual quality, there will be long spells of pressure to survive. The key is what happens after the regain: can Iraq step forward with enough courage to make the underdog moments count?
Zidane Iqbal is the European-raised midfield talent who can give Iraq composure under pressure. His first touch and ability to face forward make him a vital outlet when Iraq turn defense into attack.
Ali Al-Hamadi is a forward playing in Europe, and one of Iraq's clearest routes to goal. His runs behind defenders and directness can turn rare openings into real chances.
Aymen Hussein is the reference point up front. Strong, aerially dangerous and decisive in qualifying, he is the striker Iraq will look to when one moment has to become a goal.
Iraq open against Norway on 16 June, face France on 22 June, and close against Senegal on 26 June.
On paper, Iraq are the lowest-ranked side in the group and the margins are harsh. France, Senegal and Norway will all expect to push for the knockout rounds. But in a 48-team World Cup, the eight best third-placed sides also advance, so one point, one goal, one clean spell of defending can change everything. With 2007 still part of their identity, the Lions of Mesopotamia are exactly the kind of underdog a neutral can get behind.
Because the tournament is in North America, kickoffs land late at night or early morning in Japan. Iraq's opener against Norway is set for 7:00 a.m. JST on 17 June, right around the start of the day. Subscribe to Iraq's fixtures so the full group-stage run is in your calendar.
Under Graham Arnold, the 26 players below were named (likely shape: Compact 4-2-3-1 / 4-4-2).
Players to watch: Zidane Iqbal, Aymen Hussein, Ali Jassim.
| Position | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| GK | Fahad Talib | Al Talaba |
| GK | Jalal Hassan | Al-Zawraa |
| GK | Ahmed Basil | Al-Shorta |
| DF | Hussein Ali | Pogon Szczecin |
| DF | Manaf Younis | Al-Shorta |
| DF | Zaid Tahseen | Pakhtakor |
| DF | Rebin Sulaka | Port |
| DF | Akam Hashem | Al-Zawraa |
| DF | Merchas Doski | Viktoria Plzen |
| DF | Ahmed Yahya | Al-Shorta |
| DF | Zaid Ismail | Al-Talaba |
| DF | Frans Putros | Persib Bandung |
| DF | Mustafa Saadoon | Al-Shorta |
| MF | Amir Al-Ammari | Cracovia |
| MF | Kevin Yakob | AGF |
| MF | Zidane Iqbal | Utrecht |
| MF | Aimar Sher | Sarpsborg |
| MF | Ibrahim Bayesh | Al-Dhafra |
| MF | Ahmed Qasem | Nashville SC |
| MF | Youssef Amyn | AEK Larnaca |
| MF | Marko Farji | Venezia |
| FW | Ali Jassim | Como |
| FW | Ali Al-Hamadi | Ipswich Town |
| FW | Ali Youssef | Apollon Limassol |
| FW | Aymen Hussein | Al-Karma |
| FW | Mohanad Ali | Dibba |
Squad source: https://www.nbcsports.com/soccer/news/2026-world-cup-squads-confirmed-rosters-for-all-48-teams (final lists can change right before the tournament).
Subscribe once. Every match syncs to Google, Apple, and Outlook automatically — no manual updates needed.
If you are following the 40-year comeback, start with Norway, then track the step up against France and Senegal. Iraq's story is best watched match by match.
Q. How many times has Iraq reached the World Cup? This is Iraq's 2nd appearance. Their previous finals appearance was at Mexico 1986, making 2026 a return after 40 years.
Q. Who are Iraq's group opponents? Group I: France, Senegal and Norway. Iraq open against Norway on 16 June.
Q. What is Iraq's best World Cup result? The group stage. In their only previous appearance in 1986, Iraq faced Paraguay, Belgium and Mexico.
Q. Who is the head coach? Graham Arnold, the former Australia head coach. He led Iraq through the AFC play-off and the inter-confederation play-off to reach the 2026 World Cup.
