Iraq head coach Graham Arnold named his final 26-man World Cup squad on Monday, leaning heavily on the core group of players who secured qualification through the intercontinental play-offs.
Experienced striker Aymen Hussein will lead the Iraqi attack in North America. A talismanic figure for the national team, the experienced striker leads a powerful frontline that also features Ipswich Town’s Ali Al-Hamadi and talented youngsters Ali Jassim and Youssef Amyn.
A notable omission from Arnold’s squad was Dundee defender Dario Naamo. The full-back was ruled out after recently changing his sporting nationality, having represented Finland at international youth level.
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Arnold’s midfield selections boast significant European experience, headlined by Utrecht’s Zidane Iqbal and Heerenveen’s Aimar Sher. Arnold has also decided to keep goalkeeper Kamil Saadi with the team during the training camp as a precaution against possible injuries. Iraq returns to the global showpiece for the first time in forty years after beating Bolivia 2-1 in April to secure the final World Cup spot. They are placed in Group I alongside France, Senegal and Norway.
Iraq squad for 2026 FIFA World Cup
Goalkeepers: Fahad Talib, Jalal Hassan, Ahmed Basil
Defenders: Hussein Ali, Manaf Younis, Zaid Tahseen, Rebin Sulaka, Akam Hashem, Merchas Doski, Ahmed Yahya, Zaid Ismail, Frans Putros, Mustafa Saadoon
Midfielders: Amir Al Ammari, Kevin Yakob, Zidane Iqbal, Aimar Sher, Ibrahim Bayesh, Ahmed Qasim, Youssef Amyn, Marko Farji
Forwards: Ali Jassim, Ali Al Hamadi, Ali Yousef, Aymen Hussein, Mohanad Ali
Published on June 1, 2026
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