Iraq left-back Ahmed Yahya out of World Cup, Ahmed Hasan Maknazi called up | OneFootball

Iraq left-back Ahmed Yahya has been ruled out of the World Cup after suffering a back injury in Thursday’s 1-1 draw with Spain. According to L'Équipe, head coach Graham Arnold has called up Ahmed Hasan Maknazi to replace him.

At the Riazor in La Coruña, Yahya came on for goalscorer Merchas Doski on the hour, then was taken off 10 minutes later for Mustafa Saadoon. He had little chance to press his case to Graham Arnold at left-back.

The Al-Shorta defender, 30, should be sidelined for four weeks.

Iraq, the Lions of Mesopotamia, are returning to the World Cup for the first time in 40 years and will face France.

Maknazi, 24, is a left-back for Al-Karma with six caps, and was in the initial 33-man training group in Spain.

Source: L'Équipe