Iraq
World Cup 2026 Group I — fixtures, standings, and knockout path
The 2026 spine: Jiloane's midfield and Ali's aerial threat
Montpellier's Amir Al-Ammari anchors Iraq's midfield alongside Glasgow-based Zidane Iqbal, while Mohanad Ali remains their most clinical finisher. The defense leans on veterans like Alaa Abbas, but questions linger after conceding 12 goals in final qualifying. Coach Jesús Casas has blended diaspora talent with homegrown players — a gamble that either unlocks their potential or exposes defensive frailties.
Group déjà vu with higher stakes
Drawn against at least one European and South American opponent, Iraq faces a similar scenario to their 1986 group with Paraguay and Belgium. This time, advancing requires finishing above two teams or surviving the third-place cutoff. Their opening match will be critical — in Mexico 86, they held Belgium to a 2-2 draw before collapsing against the hosts. The 2026 squad can't afford another slow start.
From the 2007 Asian Cup to North America's heat
Iraq's sole major trophy — the 2007 Asian Cup won amid war at home — remains their benchmark. This squad lacks Younis Mahmoud's iconic leadership but carries similar underdog spirit. June matches in Dallas or Houston could play to their advantage; seven current starters ply their trade in leagues with extreme summer conditions from Qatar to Sweden.
Knockout route: top two qualify automatically; a third-place finish may still advance as one of the eight best third-placed teams. View Group I hub →
Group standings
Fixtures & results
| Match | Date | Group | Score | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Iraq vs  NorwayEstadio Boston | Tue, Jun 16, 2026 · 23:00 ET | i | – | Scheduled |
 France vs IraqEstadio Philadelphia | Mon, Jun 22, 2026 · 22:00 ET | i | – | Scheduled |
 Senegal vs IraqEstadio Toronto | Fri, Jun 26, 2026 · 20:00 ET | i | – | Scheduled |
Frequently asked questions
Has Iraq ever won a World Cup match?+
No. Their only point came from a 1-1 draw against Tunisia in 1986.
Which clubs produce most of Iraq's squad?+
Al-Shorta (Baghdad) and Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya dominate locally, but 10 likely starters play abroad — mostly in Qatar, Sweden, and Belgium.
Who is Iraq's all-time top scorer at World Cups?+
Ahmed Radhi scored their sole goal in 1986 against Belgium. Current striker Aymen Hussein needs two to match Radhi's 29 international goals.
How did Iraq qualify for 2026?+
They finished second in their AFC third-round group behind Japan, then beat Indonesia in a playoff. Their 3-1 comeback win in Jakarta sealed qualification.
Which city will host Iraq's matches?+
Pending schedule confirmation, expect at least one game in Houston — home to 20,000 Iraqi expats and similar summer humidity to Basra.