Despite the daunting draw, TV sports reporter Nawar Faeq Al-Rikabi remains optimistic. "People may think we are the weakest team in the group but anything could happen," he told the BBC. "We will be fine, there is no pressure on the Iraqi players, they just have to perform — and we have quality players who can perform."
A generation with European pedigree
This Iraq side, ranked 57th in the world, is a far cry from the 1986 squad. Players such as Ali Al-Hamadi of Ipswich Town, former Manchester United midfielder Zidane Iqbal — now at Utrecht in the Netherlands — and Kevin Yakob, who helped AGF claim the Danish title, bring a level of European experience that the Lions of Mesopotamia have rarely possessed.
Coach Graham Arnold, who guided Australia to the second round of the 2022 World Cup, has proved an astute appointment since joining in 2025. He steered Iraq through the third and fourth rounds of qualification, a tense play-off victory over the United Arab Emirates, and finally the decisive win against Bolivia — the 21st match of a long qualifying campaign.
Al-Rikabi drew a pointed comparison to illustrate Arnold's potential impact. "In 2022, Argentina found it very hard to win against Australia. It will be the same with us. He is very experienced and I think we will do something really good."
Wars, sanctions, and the shadow of Saddam
The 40-year wait between World Cup appearances was not simply a matter of footballing failure. Iraq's national team endured everything the country itself endured — wars, economic collapse, political upheaval, and international sanctions.
"Just like the country, the national team went through many difficult circumstances, including wars, political and economic challenges, and at times international sanctions," Allawi said. "There was also, at times, a lack of proper planning for the qualifiers and insufficient preparation for matches. That is why it took such a long time."
Then there was the era of Uday Hussein, who was placed in charge of Iraq football by his father Saddam in 1984. Uday oversaw a reign of terror — players subjected to torture, flogging, imprisonment, and reportedly forced to train with concrete balls. Full details emerged only after the fall of the regime in 2003.
Allawi is guarded on the subject. "To put it briefly, during that period, there was a very strict principle of reward and punishment in place," he said.
The US-led invasion that toppled Saddam brought its own instability. Iraq have not played a World Cup qualifier in Baghdad since, though FIFA cleared the southern city of Basra as a home venue in March 2020. For years before that, crucial qualifiers were played in Jordan, Malaysia, Iran, and elsewhere. Even ahead of the Bolivia play-off in March 2026, conflict in the Middle East threatened to derail proceedings, with several players and coach Arnold struggling to travel to Mexico. They made it — and returned to Baghdad on an open-top bus through jubilant crowds.
Echoes of 1986
When Iraq qualified for Mexico 1986 with a 3-1 win over Syria, the Iran-Iraq war meant even that match had to be played in Saudi Arabia. The parallels with the present are striking.
"We were also playing our matches outside the country, which made the feeling even greater," Allawi recalled. "It was similar when we came back — there was also a huge public attendance, and many celebrations were organised by the people."
That golden generation reached all three Olympics of the 1980s and won a string of regional titles. Allawi was a key figure throughout qualification but missed the opening game against Paraguay through injury — a cruel blow given what followed.
Iraq lost 1-0, yet the match remains a source of burning grievance in Baghdad. Ahmed Rahdi headed home what appeared to be an equaliser, only for the referee to blow for half-time as the corner was still in flight. The goal was disallowed. Against Belgium, a red card proved costly as Iraq came close to levelling.
"Despite that, it was a special time," Allawi said. "The atmosphere of the World Cup is completely different from any other tournament — massive crowds, legendary players everywhere. They remain very good memories for us, and I am sure the players in the team now will say the same in years to come."
The target for 2026 is modest but meaningful. To score more than one goal would be a new achievement. To win a game would be a great one. To advance from the group would be something the 46 million people of Iraq have waited four decades to see.
