Iraq’s diaspora-driven squad unite as World Cup opener with Norway looms | OneFootball

Iraq open their World Cup campaign against Norway on Wednesday at midnight with a squad shaped by the diaspora and a strong Scandinavian influence. According to L'Équipe, this group has learned to pull together around a single purpose.

Qualification was secured by beating Bolivia in the intercontinental play-off on 31 March 2026, when Aimar Sher celebrated an Ali Al-Hamadi goal. They then edged Andorra 1-0 in Girona on 29 May.

Sher was born in Iraq, grew up in Sweden and represented Sweden at youth level. Playing in Norway since 2024 with Sarpsborg, he has long had this fixture in mind, as has Venezia winger Marko Farji, born in Grimstad.

Of the 26 players picked by Graham Arnold, 12 grew up in Europe, including 8 in Scandinavia. Many come from families, often minorities, who left Iraq under Saddam Hussein’s regime or during the war.

Arnold believes these players chose Iraq for family reasons and arrive from strong leagues with different qualities. He feels they can be more relaxed under pressure and add variety to a domestic scene where styles are often similar.

Midfielder Kevin Yakob, 25 and born in Sweden, recently won the Danish title with Aarhus. He says their varied football educations strengthen the team and that origins are not a talking point, only a shared cause.

Sher, a devout Christian, says his parents sought a safer, happier childhood for him in Sweden and prefers not to enter political debate. Named in homage to Pablo Aimar, he and team-mates speak of tight bonds with home-based players as the Lions of Mesopotamia look to bring joy to 46 million people, which they see as bigger than football.

Source: L'Équipe