2026 World Cup | What should France expect from Iraq? | OneFootball

A year ago, when Graham Arnold was appointed, no one believed he could take Iraq to the World Cup. Morale was at an all-time low after losing 2-1 to Palestine, relinquishing a lead late on. The Lions of Mesopotamia had been on course to qualify from their group, but after picking up just a point from two games, the coach Jesús Casas was sacked.

In his first meeting, the Australian wrote the word “believe” on the board, asking players if they had faith they could qualify. The 62-year-old has deployed a 4-3-3 formation and lately a bold 4-4-2 with two out-and-out strikers. Players slowly bought in to what Arnold was trying to do, prioritising team discipline and working on changing the mindset, with the target being to reach the World Cup.

The moment a whole nation began to believe was when Iraq were awarded a penalty by VAR in the final minute of stoppage time against the UAE in Basra last November. At 1-1, Iraq needed victory to advance to the Inter-Confederation playoff. It came down to the last kick, in the 107th minute. Iraq’s penalty taker, Amir Al Ammari, had noticed the UAE’s goalkeeper often dived early, and waited until the last moment to make his decision, putting it to his right to score.

Iraq were only a game away from qualifying for their first World Cup in 40 years, with a final against Bolivia in Monterrey, their 21st qualifier, but things didn’t go smoothly. War broke out in the Middle East, with airspace closed and flights grounded. Unable to gather his squad, Arnold, stuck in a hotel in the UAE, demanded Fifa postpone the playoff, but the clouds cleared, and after a 12-hour drive from Baghdad to Amman, and a 17-hour flight to Mexico, Iraq reached their destination, 10 days before their game.

“Do it for your families and make yourselves proud,” Arnold rallied. Iraq scored 10 minutes in, but Bolivia equalised. 1-1 at half-time before Aymen Hussein netted to secure the 48th and final spot at the World Cup. Arnold said later: “

“The players went through a hell of a lot of stress and a lot of pressure on their shoulders from 46 million people in Iraq to qualify for a World Cup for the first time in 40 years. Every one of those games was heartbreak or survival.”

What to expect from Iraq’s fans

Fans from Iraq will travel to Foxborough, Philadelphia and Toronto to watch the games. Iraqi Americans live across the US, with a large number in Michigan, California and Illinois, while there are also many in Canada, especially in the province of Ontario. Decades of conflict have scattered Iraqis around the globe, and they will turn up at the World Cup from everywhere, like the Iraqi team itself, a representation of the nation’s past, present and future. After 40 years, Iraqis are just happy to be back and be part of the world football community once again. If fans begin to chant, “Who told you to play Toba (football),” at opposition fans then it will certainly mean things are going well for Iraq on the pitch, a popular taunt more than a chant. People may also hear: “With spirit, with blood, we redeem you, Iraq.” A popular chant under Saddam Hussein, with the name of the deposed former leader now replaced with Iraq.

This is a piece from Hassanin Mubarak as part of the Guardian Sports Network. You can visit his substack here.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle