
World Cup 2026
Eagles of Mesopotamia: Iraq's 40-Year Wait Is Finally Over
FutAve take
Forty years after their only World Cup appearance, Iraq return to the grandest stage having battled through more qualifying matches than any other nation. Drawn into Group I alongside France and Senegal, they arrive as underdogs with zero external pressure — and that, for Graham Arnold's side, is precisely the point.
Iraq played 21 qualifying matches — more than any team in the world — navigating the AFC rounds, an intercontinental playoff, and a final showdown against Bolivia to claim the 48th and last spot at the 2026 World Cup. Captain Amir Al-Ammari was the heartbeat of it all, scoring decisive penalties against the UAE and Bolivia. A managerial switch to Australian Graham Arnold in the final stretch proved the turning point that kept the dream alive.
This is the ultimate nothing-to-lose story. Iraq face France, Senegal, and Norway — a gauntlet that has analysts predicting zero points — yet they qualified the hardest way possible. Watch them for the tactical discipline Graham Arnold will demand, the electric wide play on the flanks, and the slim but genuine chance of a Group I earthquake.
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