Iraq World Cup 2026 Squad — Players, Manager & Group

Iraq return to the World Cup after 40 years — a historic moment

Iraq return to the World Cup for the first time since 1986 — a 40-year wait that tells the story of a nation that has experienced extraordinary turmoil but never lost its love of football. Qualifying via the intercontinental playoff against Bolivia was a historic achievement that the entire country celebrated.

Graham Arnold — bringing World Cup experience to a squad that has none

Graham Arnold is an inspired choice as manager. The Australian coach who led the Socceroos to the 2022 Round of 16 brings World Cup experience to a squad that has none. His ability to organise a team defensively and make them difficult to beat will be crucial against France, Senegal and Norway.

A domestic squad with few European exceptions

The squad is almost entirely based in Iraqi domestic football and the Arab world with very few players in top European leagues. That is the honest reality of where Iraqi football is — the talent pool and the development pathways do not yet produce the quantity of European-based players that other nations enjoy. Osama Rashid at Gent and Mustafa Nadhim at Ludogorets are the exceptions.

Group I is the most difficult draw Iraq could have had

Group I is the most difficult group Iraq could have drawn. France are one of the tournament favourites. Norway have Haaland and Odegaard. Even Senegal with Mane are serious opposition. Realistically qualification from this group is very unlikely. But upsets happen at World Cups and Iraq are not here just to participate.

A moment for the Iraqi people — football as a constant through decades of turmoil

This is a moment for Iraqi football to show the world what it has built. The passion of Iraqi fans for the national team is extraordinary — football has been one of the few constants through decades of conflict and instability. Seeing their team at the World Cup again after 40 years will be an emotional moment for millions.

Arnold's challenge — defensive organisation against elite opposition

Graham Arnold's challenge is to build defensive organisation quickly with a squad he has limited time with and make Iraq as hard to beat as possible. Containing France, Senegal and Norway will require extraordinary defensive discipline but Arnold has shown before that he can get that from his teams.

Who is in Iraq's World Cup 2026 squad?

Full 26-man squad listed above.

Who is Iraq's manager at World Cup 2026?

Graham Arnold, the former Australia manager.

What group are Iraq in at World Cup 2026?

Group I with France, Senegal and Norway.

When do Iraq play their first World Cup game?

June 17 vs Norway at BMO Field, Toronto.

When did Iraq last play at a World Cup?

1986 in Mexico — 40 years ago.