World Cup 2026: Wars, sanctions and punishments – Iraq’s 40-year wait

It was fitting that Iraq secured a place at the 2026 World Cup by beating Bolivia in Mexico, the location of their first ever appearance on the global stage back in 1986.

Karim Allawi was a player 40 years ago as the Lions of Mesopotamia lost all three games against Paraguay, Belgium and the hosts but now he is a fan, desperately hoping that his successors can fare a little better even if games against Norway, France and Senegal look daunting.

The 66-year-old will, along with the vast majority of the 46 million people in the football-mad country, be watching on 16 June as Iraq take on Erling Haaland’s Norway in Boston.

“This is truly a group of death and tougher than 1986,” Allawi told BBC Sport.

“France are multiple-time world champions, Norway are one of the strongest developing European teams, and Senegal are African champions who have qualified for the World Cup several times.

“I hope they deliver strong performances and achieve better results than we did in 1986.”

Compared to the past team, this Iraq side, ranked 57th in the world, is full of players with European experience such as Ali Al-Hamadi of Ipswich Town, former Manchester United midfielder Zidane Iqbal, now at Utrecht in the Netherlands, and Kevin Yakob, fresh from helping AGF become champions of Denmark.

Hiring Graham Arnold, who took Australia to the second round of the 2022 World Cup, in 2025 has also paid off.

The 62-year-old helped Iraq through the third and fourth rounds of qualification, a tight play-off victory against the United Arab Emirates before the win against Bolivia. That was the 21st game on a long road to the finals.

The celebrations may have died down but the excitement remains. TV sports reporter Nawar Faeq Al-Rikabi told the BBC: “People may think we are the weakest team in the group but anything could happen.

“We will be fine, there is no pressure on the Iraqi players, they just have to perform and we have quality players who can perform.”

The addition of Arnold could make the difference. “In 2022, Argentina found it very hard to win against Australia,” added Al-Rikabi. “It will be the same with us. He is very experienced and I think we will do something really good.”

The target is to improve on 1986. “To score more than one goal would be a new achievement, to win a game would be a great achievement, to qualify for the next stage would be terrific. People have waited so long and we are now ready.”