Jalal Hassan
The leader. The veteran goalkeeper is Iraq's captain and most-capped player, with around 100 appearances. His experience and calm at the back are central to everything Arnold wants to build at the finals.
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Team Guide · 2026 World Cup
Iraq at the 2026 World Cup
The Lions of Mesopotamia are back on the biggest stage for the first time since 1986, and they did it the hard way. After a marathon Asian campaign, Iraq won the inter-confederation play-off in Monterrey, beating Bolivia to claim the final place at the finals. They are led by Australian coach Graham Arnold, who took the Socceroos to the last 16 in 2022, with veteran goalkeeper and captain Jalal Hassan as the spine and a European-based generation around striker Aymen Hussein, Premier League trailblazer Ali Al-Hamadi and former Manchester United midfielder Zidane Iqbal. Iraq land in Group I with France, Senegal and Norway. This is the squad, the group, the fixtures and the case for a famous knockout run.
I
Group
1986
Last World Cup
40
Year Wait Ended
2nd
World Cup
Squad confirmed. Graham Arnold named his final 26 on 1 June 2026, with goalkeeper Jalal Hassan, the squad's centurion, as captain. Iraq sealed their place by beating Bolivia 2-1 in the FIFA play-off tournament in Mexico, Ali Al-Hamadi and Aymen Hussein on the scoresheet. They open against Norway at Gillette Stadium near Boston on 16 June.
The Key Players
The spine of Arnold's Iraq
Iraq blend a veteran leader in goal with a fast, increasingly European-based outfield group. These are the names the campaign will turn on.
Aymen Hussein
The talisman striker. Iraq's top scorer in qualifying with eight goals, he also netted the decisive second in the play-off win over Bolivia. Powerful and a constant penalty-box threat, he carries the goal burden.
Ali Al-Hamadi
The history-maker. The first Iraqi to play in the Premier League, with Ipswich Town, Al-Hamadi opened the scoring against Bolivia. Quick and direct, he gives Iraq a modern cutting edge in attack.
Zidane Iqbal
The playmaker. A product of the Manchester United academy now at Utrecht in the Eredivisie, Iqbal is a composed, progressive midfielder who chose to represent Iraq and brings real top-level pedigree to the middle.
Amir Al-Ammari
The European core. Based at Cracovia in Poland, Al-Ammari is one of nine squad members playing club football in Europe, an energetic two-way midfielder who links defence and attack.
Ali Jassim
The Serie A talent. On the books at Como in Italy, Jassim is part of the young, overseas-based wave that has reshaped this Iraq side and gives Arnold pace and unpredictability out wide.
The Squad
The Iraq squad by position
Here is the 26-man squad Graham Arnold named for the 2026 World Cup, set out by position. Goalkeeper Jalal Hassan is captain. Nine of the group play their club football in Europe, across England, Poland, the Netherlands, Italy, Norway, Denmark, Czechia and Cyprus. Club listings can shift across the summer window.
Goalkeepers
3 in the squad
- Jalal HassanCaptain
- Fahad TalibAl-Talaba
- Ahmed BasilAl-Shorta
Defenders
10 in the squad
- Hussein AliPogon Szczecin
- Merchas DoskiViktoria Plzen
- Frans PutrosPersib Bandung
- Zaid TahseenPakhtakor
- Manaf YounisAl-Shorta
- Akam HashemAl-Zawraa
- Rebin SulakaPort FC
- Ahmed YahyaAl-Shorta
- Zaid IsmailAl-Talaba
- Mustafa SaadoonAl-Shorta
Midfielders
8 in the squad
- Amir Al-AmmariCracovia
- Zidane IqbalUtrecht
- Kevin YakobAGF
- Aimar SherSarpsborg 08
- Ahmed QasemNashville SC
- Youssef AmynAEK Larnaca
- Ibrahim BayeshAl-Dhafra
- Marko FarjiVenezia
Forwards
5 in the squad
- Aymen HusseinAl-Karma
- Ali Al-HamadiIpswich Town
- Ali JassimComo
- Ali YoussefApollon Limassol
- Mohanad AliDibba Al-Hisn
Arnold mixed his domestic-league core, drawn heavily from Al-Shorta, Al-Zawraa and Al-Talaba, with a fast-growing band of players in Europe. The headline thread is that group of overseas talents, from Zidane Iqbal and Ali Al-Hamadi to Como's Ali Jassim and Cracovia's Amir Al-Ammari, who have lifted the level of a side that needed every ounce of it to qualify. Club listings can change over the summer transfer window.
The Calls
The road to Monterrey
Iraq's qualification was a saga, and the play-off produced the moments this squad will be remembered for.
Graham Arnold
A World Cup boss again. The Australian took the Socceroos to the round of 16 at Qatar 2022, then took the Iraq job and steered them through the play-off. Few coaches at the finals have his recent tournament knowhow.
Aymen Hussein
The play-off hero. Eight goals in qualifying made him Iraq's top scorer, and his 71st-minute strike against Bolivia sealed the ticket to North America. Iraq's chances rest heavily on his finishing.
Ali Al-Hamadi
The 34th-minute breakthrough. His goal against Bolivia set Iraq on their way, and as a Premier League player he symbolises the squad's new, outward-looking generation.
Group I
The group and the fixtures
Iraq were drawn into Group I with France, Senegal and Norway. France, the 2022 finalists, are the clear favourites, so Iraq's task is to take points off Norway and Senegal and chase a top-two finish or one of the best third-placed spots. The schedule sends them up and down the eastern seaboard, from near Boston to Philadelphia to Toronto.
Iraq vs Norway
Tue 16 Jun 2026
France vs Iraq
Mon 22 Jun 2026
Senegal vs Iraq
Fri 26 Jun 2026
Iraq open against Norway at Gillette Stadium near Boston on 16 June, a game that may shape their whole tournament. For the full picture of all 104 games, see the WorldCuply.com match schedule, read our France guide on their Group I opponents, and compare notes with fellow Asian side Iran.
The Ceiling
How far can the Lions of Mesopotamia go?
Iraq are outsiders in a tough group, but the expanded format and a battle-hardened squad give them a route to the knockouts on their return:
- A coach who has been here. Graham Arnold reached the last 16 with Australia in 2022 and knows how to set up a team to grind through a World Cup group.
- Goals from Aymen Hussein. If Iraq are to spring a surprise, their top scorer must carry his qualifying form onto the biggest stage.
- A European spine. Players like Zidane Iqbal, Ali Al-Hamadi, Amir Al-Ammari and Ali Jassim give Iraq a higher ceiling than any squad they have taken to a major tournament before.
- The format helps. With the top two and the eight best third-placed sides advancing, a single win plus a draw could be enough to reach the round of 32.
- The challenge. France should be untouchable, so the campaign hinges on the Norway opener and the Senegal finale. Win one of those and the dream stays alive.
For a country returning after 40 years, simply being there is a triumph, but this squad will quietly believe it can do more. A point against Senegal or Norway, and the Lions of Mesopotamia could yet write history.
Questions & Answers
Frequently asked questions
How did Iraq qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
Iraq came through the long way. After finishing behind the automatic qualifiers in Asian qualifying, they won the AFC fourth round and then beat Bolivia 2-1 in the FIFA play-off tournament in Monterrey, Mexico, to claim the final place at the 2026 World Cup. Ali Al-Hamadi opened the scoring and Aymen Hussein sealed it.
Who is Iraq's coach for the 2026 World Cup?
Graham Arnold, the Australian who led the Socceroos to the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup, is Iraq's head coach. He took charge during the qualifying campaign and guided the Lions of Mesopotamia through the play-off to the finals.
When did Iraq last play at the World Cup?
Iraq's only previous World Cup was Mexico 1986, where they lost all three group games. The 2026 tournament ends a 40-year wait and is just their second appearance at the finals.
Who is Iraq's captain at the 2026 World Cup?
Goalkeeper Jalal Hassan is Iraq's captain and the most experienced player in the squad, with around 100 caps. The veteran is the leader of Graham Arnold's group.
What group are Iraq in at the 2026 World Cup?
Iraq are in Group I alongside France, Senegal and Norway. France are heavy favourites, leaving Iraq to compete with Senegal and Norway for a route to the knockouts in the expanded 48-team format.
What are Iraq's group fixtures at the 2026 World Cup?
Iraq open against Norway on 16 June at Gillette Stadium near Boston, then face France on 22 June at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, and finish against Senegal on 26 June at BMO Field in Toronto.
Who are Iraq's key players at the 2026 World Cup?
Striker Aymen Hussein, the team's top scorer in qualifying, leads the attack. Ali Al-Hamadi, the first Iraqi to play in the Premier League with Ipswich Town, and former Manchester United youngster Zidane Iqbal, now at Utrecht, are central to the side, with captain Jalal Hassan in goal.
Is Ali Al-Hamadi in Iraq's 2026 World Cup squad?
Yes. Ali Al-Hamadi, who became the first Iraqi to feature in the Premier League during his time at Ipswich Town, is in Graham Arnold's squad and scored the opening goal in the decisive play-off win over Bolivia.
Can Iraq get out of their group at the 2026 World Cup?
It is a tall order but not impossible. France should win Group I, so Iraq would need to beat Norway or Senegal to chase second place or one of the best third-placed spots that the 48-team format provides. Arnold's tournament experience and a disciplined, European-based core give them a fighting chance.
Keep Reading
More 2026 World Cup coverage
Iraq are one of 48 nations heading to the 2026 World Cup. Explore the rest of the WorldCuply.com guide:
France Squad
Iraq's Group I opponents and the 2022 finalists, Mbappe and Deschamps' deep talent pool for 2026.
Read the France guide ›Iran Squad
Another of Asia's standard-bearers, Team Melli's experienced core, their group and squad for 2026.
Read the Iran guide ›Superstars to Watch
The top players going to the 2026 World Cup, the names who can decide knockout ties.
View the top 12 ›Match Schedule
All 104 fixtures across 16 host cities, with kickoff times you can filter to your team.
Open the schedule ›Sources
Where this page comes from
This guide was hand-written from the following reporting and reference pages, used to confirm Iraq's squad, coach, qualification, group and fixtures:
• Olympics.com: Iraq aiming high after ending 40-year wait, full squad list and schedule
• FIFA: 2026 World Cup line-up complete as Iraq claim final spot
• Khel Now: Iraq name final 26-man squad ft. Zidane Iqbal
• The Middle East Insider: Iraq World Cup 2026 Group I draw and full schedule
• Wikipedia: 2026 FIFA World Cup Group I
• FIFA: 2026 World Cup line-up complete as Iraq claim final spot
• Khel Now: Iraq name final 26-man squad ft. Zidane Iqbal
• The Middle East Insider: Iraq World Cup 2026 Group I draw and full schedule
• Wikipedia: 2026 FIFA World Cup Group I
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