2026-06-06
Makenzie replaces injured Yahya in Iraq squad
Ahmed Yahya ruled out with a hamstring injury; Ahmed Hassan Makenzie registered as his replacement on medical advice.
Group I · AFC · FIFA #57 · 1501/1
Iraq
1618The last team to qualify and back at a World Cup for the first time since 1986, Graham Arnold's fighters drew with Spain in warm-ups and now face a brutal Group I with France, Senegal and Norway.
Coach Graham Arnold (Australian) · since 2025-05
Matches
Key players
- Jalal HassanGK · Al-Zawraa
35-year-old captain with 100 caps and the team's leader
- Aymen HusseinST · Al-Karma
Emotional heartbeat of the team; scored the playoff clincher vs Bolivia
- Ali Al-HamadiST · Ipswich Town
First Iraqi to play in the Premier League; opened the scoring vs Bolivia
- Zidane IqbalCM · FC Utrecht
Ex-Manchester United midfielder linking defence to attack
- Ibrahim BayeshAM · Kuwait SC
Key creator valued for ball progression and work-rate
- Merchas DoskiLB · Duhok
Scored a spectacular looping equalizer against Spain in the June warm-up
Injuries / doubts
- Ahmed Yahya (hamstring) - ruled out of the tournament, replaced by Ahmed Hassan Makenzie
Recent form
| 2026-06-09 | Venezuela | 0-2 L | Friendly |
| 2026-06-04 | Spain | 1-1 D | Friendly |
| 2026-05-29 | Andorra | 1-0 W | Friendly |
| 2026-03-31 | Bolivia | 2-1 W | Inter-confederation playoff final |
| 2025-11-18 | United Arab Emirates | 2-1 W | AFC playoff (leg 2) |
| 2025-11-13 | United Arab Emirates | 1-1 D | AFC playoff (leg 1) |
News
2026-06-05
'We are fighters': Iraq aim to shock rivals
Al Jazeera feature on Iraq's belief they can upset France, Senegal and Norway in Group I.
2026-06-04
Iraq hold Spain 1-1 in La Coruña
Merchas Doski's spectacular looping equalizer cancelled out Ferran Torres in a statement warm-up draw with the European champions.
2026-06-01
Arnold confirms Iraq's 26-man World Cup squad
Veteran keeper Jalal Hassan named captain as the delegation arrived in Chicago to begin tournament preparations.