Iraq's national team endured a grueling journey to secure their place at the 2026 World Cup. They traveled 20 hours by bus, waited 24 hours for a delayed flight due to the impact of US-Israel and Iran attacks, before defeating Bolivia 2-1 in the intercontinental play-off in Mexico. Coach Graham Arnold said he had to give the players three days off to recover from the trip.
The victory over Bolivia marks Iraq's first World Cup appearance since 1986. Striker Ali Al-Hamadi, who scored the opening goal in that match, shared: 'I'm incredibly grateful for that moment and I'll carry it with me for the rest of my life.' Al-Hamadi was born in Iraq and moved to England at age one after his father was imprisoned for opposing Saddam Hussein; the family settled in Liverpool.
Four Decades of Waiting
This is the moment Iraqi fans have been waiting for 40 years. Decades of conflict, sanctions, and political instability have turned the 'Lions of Mesopotamia' into a footballing afterthought, with most home games played on neutral ground. Rare joy came in 2007 when Iraq won the Asian Cup, but a World Cup berth remained a distant dream.
Al-Hamadi said: 'The weight of the Iraq national team jersey is enormous. You feel the pressure from the people who want you to win, who want you to succeed.' He described football as a 'vehicle for happiness' for Iraqis, helping them temporarily forget their country's problems.
Facing the 'Group of Death'
As the last team to qualify, Iraq has the least preparation time. They will train in Spain, play friendlies against La Roja and Andorra, then head to the US. In the group stage, Iraq has been drawn alongside France, Norway, and Senegal – widely considered the 'group of death'. Coach Graham Arnold, who led Australia to the Round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup, said: 'We have to go there with a man-to-man spirit, with the mindset to create a surprise and belief in ourselves.'
Midfielder Aimar Sher, who grew up in Sweden and currently plays for Norway's Sarpsborg 08, is eagerly looking forward to facing Norway in the opening match on June 16 in Boston. He said: 'If I could pick one match to start the World Cup, it would be this one. It's a dream to play against the country I live in.'
Fighting Spirit
Al-Hamadi asserted: 'It's in our blood as a people – we are fighters. At the World Cup, people will definitely see that. They will see a team that runs a lot, that can make a difference. If there is a team that can cause an upset or spoil the party, it's Iraq.'
