Iraq name 26-man World Cup squad, set to face France in Group I | OneFootball

Iraq have named a 26-man squad for the World Cup, their second finals after 1986, which runs from 11 June to 19 July.

According to L'Équipe, head coach Graham Arnold has leaned heavily on Gulf-based players, with 11 drawn from Iraqi clubs and further call-ups from within the Asian confederation.

Only one player comes from the big five leagues, Marko Farji, promoted to Serie A with Venezia in early May, yet restricted to two Serie B appearances since his winter arrival.

Placed in Group I, they face France on 22 June at 23:00, and will also meet Norway and Senegal.

The squad includes goalkeepers Ahmed Basil, Jalal Hassan and Fahad Talib, and defenders Hussein Ali, Merchas Doski and Rebin Sulaka. Midfield options feature Zidane Iqbal, Amir Al-Ammari, Kevin Yakob and Aimar Sher, with Mohanad Ali, Ali Al Hamadi and Aymen Hussein among the forwards.

Source: L'Équipe