Iraq arrive at the 2026 World Cup for only the second time in their history, forty years after their sole previous appearance at Mexico 1986. That debut ended with three defeats and a single goal to their name, a strike by Ahmed Radhi against Belgium. A thread connects both campaigns: the first time Iraq played a World Cup, Mexico was the host nation, and their intercontinental playoff to reach 2026 was also played on Mexican soil, in Monterrey. With no titles and a group stage exit as their best result, the Lions of Mesopotamia come as historic underdogs with everything to prove.

Iraq's path to 2026 ran through one of the most dramatic ties in the Asian qualifying fifth round. They drew one goal apiece with the United Arab Emirates in the first leg, then won the second leg two goals to one, with Amir Al Ammari converting a penalty in the 107th minute to seal a three goals to two aggregate victory. That earned Iraq a place in the intercontinental playoff, where on 03/31/26, in Monterrey, they defeated Bolivia two goals to one. Ali Al Hamadi scored first, Bolivia equalized, then Aymen Hussein settled it in the second half to claim the 48th and final spot at the tournament.