Teams · Group I
Iraq
Lions of Mesopotamia
Iraq, 2007 Asian Cup champions in remarkable circumstances, return to the World Cup for the first time since 1986. Their qualification is a major milestone for a passionate footballing nation.
Key facts
- Confederation
- Asia (AFC)
- Group
- Group I · power-ranked #4 of 4
- World Cup titles
- 0
- Best finish
- Group stage (1986)
- Qualified via
- AFC qualifying
- Power rating (PWR)
- 65 · Elo 1620
- Manager
- Graham Arnold
Players to watch
- Aymen Hussein — Striker
- Ali Al-Hamadi — Striker
- Zidane Iqbal — Midfield (FC Utrecht)
Group I opponents
Group-stage fixtures
2026 outlook
Drawn with France in Group I, Iraq face a steep challenge but arrive determined to make their long-awaited return count.
Simulate Iraq’s World Cup
Think Iraq can go all the way — or crash out early? Set their Group I finish in the simulator and watch the bracket re-wire around your call, or build a full prediction all the way to the final.