Our Fantasy FIFA World Cup 2026 team previews continue with a look at Iraq.
Their previous appearance on the biggest stage came in 1986, scoring once but losing all three matches.
But this time, the Lions of Mesopotamia won’t get to play in Mexico. Not unless they somehow get out of Group I, where being placed next to France, Norway and Senegal means they’re odds-on to be eliminated early, according to the bookies.
In these country-by-country guides, we’ll be looking at the best players from each nation, reviewing the road to the World Cup and more.
THE IRAQ SQUAD
- READ MORE: All 48 final squads for the World Cup
THE ROAD TO QUALIFICATION
Well, they certainly took the long route to reach this World Cup. Nobody played more than Iraq’s 21 qualifiers, having to endure three group phases, a continental play-off, then March’s one-leg decider against Bolivia.
Graham Arnold’s side were the final team to secure a spot, using 49 players along the way.
Iraq’s first group was easy, winning all six, and they would’ve expected to qualify from the next one alongside heavyweights South Korea.
However, they couldn’t beat last-placed Kuwait on either occasion. A run of one win in five was the end for Jesus Casas, replaced by former Australia boss Arnold.
Soon after finishing behind Jordan, they were pipped to top spot by Saudi Arabia in a three-team group, due to goals scored.
After that came last November’s victorious play-off versus the United Arab Emirates, and the decider against Bolivia. So, despite the US-Israeli war with Iran making that trip extremely long and arduous, Iraq can at least say they’ve had one happy moment in Mexico this year.
Interestingly, their 20 Asian qualifiers brought 30 goals but a mere 16.92 non-penalty expected goals (NPxG).
BIGGEST GOAL THREATS IN QUALIFICATION
*note: the xG in the above table is non-penalty
Centre-forward Aymen Hussein ($5.3m) ended way ahead of all teammates, netting nine times when including the Bolivia game.
Two were penalties, though Amir Al Ammari ($5.3m) scored Iraq’s dramatic spot-kick that eliminated the United Arab Emirates, in the 17th minute of stoppage time.
Hussein also led the way for shots (32) and NPxG (3.94).
MOST CREATIVE PLAYERS
Whereas Ali Jasim ($4.9m) accumulated the most assists (three), expected assists (xA, 1.76) and key passes (21).
SINCE QUALIFICATION
| Date | Opposition | Result | Goalscorers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29 May 2026 | v Andorra (n) | 1-0 | Yousif |
| 4 June 2026 | v Spain (a) | 1-1 | Doski |
| 9 June 2026 | v Venezuela (n) | 0-2 |
Removing early December’s Arab Cup, for domestic players, Iraq have featured only three times since securing their spot.
Losing to Venezuela and scraping a 1-0 over Andorra were underwhelming, although they did draw 1-1 with Spain, thanks to defender Merchas Doski‘s ($3.8m) superb equaliser.
Admittedly, the European champions fielded a weak XI, handing out eight debuts – including a few players who aren’t even in their World Cup squad!
WORLD CUP FIXTURES
While not the lowest-ranked Asian representative at this World Cup, Iraq are probably the least likely to progress. Our Fixture Ticker says their schedule is the toughest of all 48 nations.
TOP FANTASY PICKS
No Iraqi player exceeds a $5.6m price tag, or 0.1% ownership, making all of them eligible for Scouting Bonus rewards. Of course, most Fantasy managers are hell-bent on targeting Iraq, not buying them.
For the mavericks, Aymen Hussein ($5.3m) scored the crucial inter-continental winner to reach nine goals during this marathon. He should be on penalties, too.
Arnold now seems to prefer a 4-4-2 formation, where the target man will either be paired with Ipswich Town’s Ali Al Hamadi ($4.7m) or the exciting Mohanad Ali ($4.9m). It’d be a bold decision.
An unwanted distraction is that, upon the squad’s arrival at Chicago’s O’Hare airport on Saturday, Hussein was held and questioned for nearly seven hours.
At such a low price, perhaps German-born left-back Merchas Doski ($3.8m) is worth a mention.
A regular for Czech top-flight side Viktoria Plzen, last week’s goal against Spain was brilliant.
