Iraq World Cup 2026: Iraq to suffer in a very competitive Group I

Iraq were the last team to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, and coincidentally, they are the last team preview written by myself ahead of the tournament. The Lions of Mesopotamia are about to make their second appearance at the finals, 40 years after their previous appearance in Mexico 86.

They defeated Bolivia in the inter-continental play-offs to seal their spot at the 2026 edition. Below you will find my Iraq World Cup 2026 predictions, as I take a look at their chances of getting past the group stage.

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Goalkeepers: Fahad Talib (Al-Talaba), Jalal Hassan (Al-Zawraa), Ahmed Basil (Al-Shorta).

Defenders: Hussein Ali (Pogon Szczecin), Manaf Younis, Ahmed Yahya, Mustafa Saadoon (all Al-Shorta), Zaid Tahseen (Pakhtakor), Rebin Sulaka (Port), Akam Hashim (Al-Zawraa), Merchas Doski (Viktoria Plzen), Zaid Ismail (Al-Talaba), Frans Putros (Persib).

Midfielders: Amir Al-Ammari (Cracovia), Kevin Yakob (Aarhus GF), Zidane Iqbal (Utrecht), Aimar Sher (Sarpsborg), Ibrahim Bayesh (Al-Dhafra), Ahmed Qasem (Nashville SC), Youssef Amyn (AEK Larnaca), Marko Farji (Venezia).

Forwards: Ali Jassim (Al-Najma), Ali Al-Hamadi (Ipswich), Ali Yousef (Al-Talaba), Aymen Hussein (Al-Karma), Mohanad Ali (Dibba).

Iraq's only previous World Cup experience did come in North America in Mexico, but they don't have any fixtures lined up in any of the three Mexican host cities during the group stage.

The Lions of Mesopotamia scored 32 goals across the whole of their qualifying campaign, but it does seem like they are in need of much more fortune in a very troublesome Group I.

They have to deal with two-time champions France, who have reached the final in the past two editions, as well as Norway and Senegal. Boss Graham Arnold has a tough task ahead of him but he inherited a tricky situation when he took the post in 2025, and here he stands having led Iraq to the World Cup finals for the first time in 40 years.

World Cup Odds

The players responded well to him and his ideas to carry them through their qualifying campaign. They will be praying that this momentum can serve them well in the coming weeks, but it doesn't change the fact that they are up against some very tough opponents.

The most recognisable name in their squad is former Manchester United youngster Zidane Iqbal, who currently plays for Utrecht in the Netherlands. He shares his name with iconic French midfielder Zinedine Zidane and shares the same nickname, 'Zizou', as the icon.

Iraq could benefit from Iqbal playing like Zidane over the next few weeks.

Group I Fixtures:

16 June 6pm local (11pm BST) - vs Norway (Boston)

22 June 5pm local (10pm BST) - vs France (Philadelphia)

26 June 3pm local (8pm BST) - vs Senegal (Toronto)

Player to watch: Zidane Iqbal

Iraq have been handed a short straw in Group I, putting them at a huge disadvantage before a ball has even been kicked. The Lions of Mesopotamia are going to be clever when they have possession, and so the player to watch in this instance would be Iqbal.

Having grown up in Manchester United's academy, Iqbal is well-drilled when it comes to a European style of football. His task will be to offer composure on the ball and to help Iraq make their way up the pitch.

He may not be given too many moments to shine, but I expect he will be their calmest player out on the pitch thanks to his footballing education.

Football Odds

Prediction: Bottom of Group I

I said they were given a short straw and I believe that Iraq will count themselves lucky if they can even put a point on the board at the World Cup. They look to be heavily outgunned in comparison to all three of their opponents and so I have them finishing bottom of Group I.