Iraqi striker Aymen Hussein had a difficult start to his first World Cup, but still managed to make his mark on the tournament.
Earlier this month, it was unclear whether Hussein would act at all after he and another member of Iraq’s traveling party were detained for several hours by U.S. customs officials upon arrival in Chicago.
Two weeks later, Hussein scored only Iraq’s second ever World Cup goal in a 4-1 defeat to Norway on Tuesday.
The striker also turned the ball into his own net late in the match, but Iraq coach Graham Arnold chose to focus on the positives.
“I prefer to remember his performance and the way he played,” Arnold said. «He has had quite a few injuries this season. It was important that he got through 90 minutes. He is the type of player who is very difficult to control in the penalty area. I am very proud of him.»
Norway had taken the lead in the 29th minute through Erling Haaland, who slid in from close range and finished.
Nine minutes later, Hussein sparked celebrations among a sizeable contingent of white-clad Iraqi supporters at Gillette Stadium.
Amir Alammari collected the ball on the byline halfway between the left corner flag and the goal before whipping in a cross that evaded the Norwegian defenders. Hussein rose to meet him with a powerful header that bounced under the outstretched arm of goalkeeper Orjan Nyland.
Iraq is playing only its second World Cup and its first in forty years.
Hussein appeared dejected as he exchanged handshakes with Norway’s players after the final whistle, but his teammates were proud of the brief moment of joy his goal had given the underdogs.
«It’s a proud moment for him,» said defender Hussein Ali. «But with the end result it is of course difficult to celebrate such a goal. We are on our way to the next match.»
Aside from Hussein’s customs ordeal, Arnold said Iraq’s experience in the United States had otherwise been positive.
“FIFA, even the US, is not about politics, it’s about football,” he said. “The way we have been treated has been first class.”
Arnold believes his side can take encouragement from their performance ahead of Monday’s match against France in Philadelphia.
“I was very proud of the first 65 to 70 minutes,” Arnold said. «A few mistakes at this level will always be punished. We have to learn from those mistakes.»
Published on June 17, 2026
