World Cup 2026: Iraq's long-awaited return sparks pride at home and abroad

World Cup 2026: Iraq's long-awaited return sparks pride at home and abroad Azhar Al-Rubaie on Tue, 06/16/2026 - 16:25 A decade after their last appearance, Iraq's national team returns to football's biggest stage, drawing support from fans at home and across the diaspora Iraq's Ali al-Hamadi dribbles the ball past Bolivia's defender Efrain Morales during their World Cup qualifier final playoff at the BBVA Stadium in Guadalupe, Nuevo Leon state, Mexico, on 31 March 2026 (AFP/Julio Cesar Aguilar) Off For Iraqis, football is so much more than what happens on the pitch. It's one of the few arenas where people from different religious sects, ethnic backgrounds and regions come together in a country long marked by conflict and division. The sport's unifying power was on display in 2007, when Iraq won the Asian Cup amid some of the country's bloodiest years of violence. Now, Iraq is back on football's biggest stage. Forty years after its first World Cup appearance, the national team will open its World Cup campaign against Norway on Tuesday, reigniting excitement among fans at home and across the Iraqi diaspora. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); For Australian coach Graham Arnold it will be be an opportunity to showcase the progress of a team against some of the world's biggest footballing nations. While some have labelled Iraq's section the tournament's "group of death", Arnold has called it the "group of excitement", arguing that his side has little to lose against opponents featuring some of football's biggest stars. In downtown Boston, Iraqi flags and national-team shirts have become a familiar sight as supporters arrive from around the world to follow their team. Among them is Sajjad Ismail, a 33-year-old Iraqi fan and vlogger who travelled thousands of miles to witness Iraq's return to the World Cup. 'Forty years we waited. Storms can't stop us, flights can't stop us. And in Boston, the world will hear one voice: ours' - Salim al-Subaihawi, travelling fan "Iraq's qualification for the World Cup is the realisation of my dream and the dream of every Iraqi," he told Middle East Eye. "Being here in this global gathering confirms that the love of Iraq unites its people wherever they are." Despite facing other formidable nations in Group I, both France and Senegal, Ismail remains optimistic. "There is no doubt that the group is tough, but Iraq possesses a distinguished group of professional players capable of making a difference at any moment," he said. "The most beautiful thing here is seeing the Iraqi fans celebrating, singing, dancing, and chanting in love of Iraq, showing strong support to the team. That really brought pride to me," he added. 'A historic moment' Ismail regularly travels to follow the national team, covering training sessions, interviewing players and supporters, and sharing content on social media. "Documenting the team's journey is not just sports coverage," he said. "It's a historic moment that Iraqis experience with all their emotions." For Salim al-Subaihawi, however, getting to Boston has proved more difficult. World Cup 2026: Five players from the Middle East to watch out for Read More » The 38-year-old had planned to arrive before Iraq's opening match but found himself stranded in Texas as storms disrupted flights. Even so, he says nothing will stop him from reaching the stadium. "Alhamdulillah - Iraq has qualified for the World Cup. This is a huge event, something we are immensely proud of," he said. "Forty years we waited. Storms can't stop us, flights can't stop us. And in Boston, the world will hear one voice: ours." Despite the strength of Iraq's opponents, al-Subaihawi believes the team can compete. "Yes, we will face strong teams, squads packed with big-name stars. But Iraq has always thrived against the best. We know how to turn the game around and pull off massive results," he said. "Everyone will see our beautiful support. We are a large Iraqi community here in America, and we will lift Iraq's name high." Lions of Mesopotamia mural Back in Baghdad, artists have found their own way to celebrate the team's historic achievement. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Graffiti artist Ibrahim Kareem and a group of volunteers have painted a massive mural featuring members of Iraq's national team in Sadr City, one of the capital's most densely populated districts. The artwork stretches 150 metres in length and stands 4.5 metres high, making it one of the largest public art projects dedicated to Iraqi football in recent years. "This mural is our gift to the Iraqi national team on the occasion of their World Cup qualification," Kareem said. "The idea came to me after I saw how fans in other countries were decorating their streets and alleyways with artwork in support of their teams. I was inspired, and I knew we could do the same here in Baghdad. We are a people of art, creativity, and passion." According to Kareem, the public response has exceeded expectations. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); "The response from the public has been incredible - far beyond what we expected. We never imagined we would complete a piece of this scale without the encouragement and motivation we received from the community and from social media. People kept urging us to keep going, to expand the work, and to give even more." The project quickly grew beyond a one-person effort. "A collective of designers, calligraphers, and wall painters joined me voluntarily, each contributing their skills to the shared mission," he said. 'Honourable performance' The excitement surrounding Iraq's qualification extends well beyond the capital. In Basra, Aqeel Jawad, 33, views the team's appearance at the tournament as a moment of national significance. "Iraq's participation in the World Cup is more than just a sporting event or an ordinary appearance - it is a moment of pride for every Iraqi after so many years of waiting to see the Iraqi flag present among the world's top teams and inside international stadiums," he said. "It reflects Iraq's ability, and the national team's capability, to achieve great things despite the challenges our people have endured." Looking ahead to the group stage, Jawad acknowledged the scale of the challenge. "Iraq's group is by no means an easy one, but football recognises nothing except what you give on the pitch," he said. "Our confidence in the Lions is immense, they will surprise everyone. "My prediction is that Iraq will advance to the second round and finish second in the group, behind France," he added. World Cup 2026 Basra, Iraq Iraq returns to the World Cup after 40 years as fans unite from Basra to Boston News Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:19 Update Date Override 0