Iraq’s Four-Decade Quest for World Cup Glory Ends in Boston

It was a poetic symmetry that Iraq clinched their spot at the 2026 World Cup with a victory over Bolivia in Mexico—the very nation that hosted their debut on the global stage in 1986. Karim Allawi, a member of that original squad of "Lions of Mesopotamia," witnessed his team lose all three matches against Paraguay, Belgium, and the hosts four decades ago. Today, the 66-year-old has transitioned from player to supporter, eagerly anticipating that his successors can surpass that early performance, despite a daunting group draw featuring Norway, France, and Senegal.

Allawi, representing the sentiments of the 46 million football-obsessed citizens, will tune in on June 16 to watch Iraq face Erling Haaland’s Norway in Boston.

"This is a true 'group of death,' significantly tougher than 1986," Allawi told BBC Sport. "France are multiple-time world champions, Norway is one of the most formidable developing European nations, and Senegal are African champions with a history of World Cup appearances. I hope they deliver strong performances and achieve better results than we did in 1986."

A New Era of European Experience

The current squad, ranked 57th globally, boasts a roster rich in European experience. Key figures include Ipswich Town striker Ali Al-Hamadi, former Manchester United midfielder Zidane Iqbal (now at Utrecht in the Netherlands), and Kevin Yakob, who recently helped AGF secure the Danish championship.

The appointment of Graham Arnold as head coach in 2025 has proven pivotal. The 62-year-old, who guided Australia to the second round of the 2022 World Cup, steered Iraq through the rigorous third and fourth rounds of qualification. This journey concluded with a tight playoff victory against the United Arab Emirates, followed by the decisive win against Bolivia—the 21st match on an arduous road to the finals.

Optimism Amidst Challenges

Although the initial celebrations have subsided, the national mood remains electric. TV sports reporter Nawar Faeq Al-Rikabi told the BBC that despite perceptions of Iraq being the weakest team in their group, unpredictability is their ally.

"People might view us as the underdogs, but anything can happen," Al-Rikabi stated. "There is no pressure on the Iraqi players; they simply need to perform, and we have the quality to do so."

Al-Rikabi believes Arnold’s tactical expertise could be the decisive factor, drawing parallels to Australia’s resilient performance against Argentina in 2022. "In 2022, Argentina found it very difficult to beat Australia. It will be the same for us. He is highly experienced, and I believe we will achieve something truly remarkable."

The primary objective is clear: improve upon the 1986 campaign. "Scoring more than one goal would be a new milestone, winning a match would be a great success, and advancing to the next stage would be terrific," Al-Rikabi added. "People have waited so long, and now we are ready."

Overcoming Wars, Sanctions, and Tyranny

While Iraq has always possessed footballing talent, off-pitch turmoil delayed their return for 40 years. "Like the country, the national team endured numerous hardships, including wars, political and economic crises, and international sanctions at times," Allawi explained. "There were also periods of poor planning for qualifiers and insufficient match preparation, which contributed to the long wait."

The regime of Saddam Hussein further compounded these difficulties. In 1984, the dictator appointed his son, Uday Hussein, to lead Iraqi football. Following the regime's fall in 2003, horrific details emerged regarding Uday’s rule: a reign of terror involving cruel punishments and torture. Players were forced to train with concrete balls, subjected to flogging, and imprisoned.

Allawi remains hesitant to discuss that dark era in depth, summarizing it as a time governed by "a very strict principle of reward and punishment."

The US-led invasion that ousted Saddam created years of instability that continue to impact the sport. To this day, the national team has not played a World Cup qualifier in Baghdad. In March 2020, FIFA granted approval for the team to return to playing in the capital, marking a significant step forward for Iraqi football.

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-06-02 07:29:32 UTC