01
Guide
Strengths
Recent Iraq squad/profile context; no FIFA World Cup 2026 squad announced.
World Cup 2026 Team Guide
Iraq
Iraq
Fixtures set / Group I / Key player pending
Current record
0 pts
3 fixtures in current tournament data
2026 World Cup Status
Iraq at the 2026 World Cup
Iraq have played 1 group match and currently have 0 points.
Phase
Fixtures set
3 fixtures in current tournament data
Quick Facts
Guide essentials
Group I
Group
Graham Arnold
Head coach
Player watch pending
Core player
Jun 22, 2026
Data checked
AFC
Confederation
57
FIFA ranking
1
World Cup appearances
Group stage
Best World Cup
Mexico 1986
Last World Cup
Tournament storylines
What matters now
Why Iraq are worth watching in 2026
02
Guide
Concerns
Final squad, injuries, and role clarity should be checked again when official squad data is published.
03
Guide
Fan storyline
Iraq have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and are competing in Group I. Their place in the finals was secured through the inter-confederation play-off route, where they defeated Bolivia 2-1 in April 2026. The 2026 tournament marks Iraq’s second World Cup appearance and their first since Mexico 1986. In their only previous World Cup campaign, Iraq were eliminated in the group stage. Their squad for the 2026 tournament has already been announced, with Graham Arnold leading the team into the finals. Iraq now return to the world stage after a 40-year absence and will face France, Norway and Senegal in the group stage.
04
Guide
Historical pedigree
Iraq enter 2026 with 1 previous World Cup appearance.
05
Guide
Current generation
The current-generation player hook is pending verified player data.
06
Guide
Tactical identity
Tactical identity notes are based on verified team context and avoid unsupported claims.
07
Guide
Tournament advantage
Iraq's group path runs through France, Norway, Senegal.
Squad & Key Players
World Cup Squad watch
Squad pending
Final 2026 World Cup squad data is not treated as official until the source record confirms it.
Squad pending: final World Cup squad data will appear here once verified player data is available.
Tactical Identity
How to read this team
Tactical identity notes are pending verified editorial input.
Tactics
Pending
Tactical identity notes are pending verified editorial input.
World Cup History
Team History: Iraq FIFA World Cup record
Iraq’s only World Cup participation was in 1986 and they were eliminated in the group stage. That means the 2026 World Cup will be Iraq’s only second time qualifying for this tournament in history. Iraq is in Group I for the AFC qualifiers and will have to face the reality of a long gap that has existed since their last appearance in the World Cup finals. Given their history, Iraq has a goal that is simple yet difficult: to qualify for the World Cup finals again and to surpass their previous achievement.
Appearances1
First appearanceNot available in current data
Last appearanceMexico 1986
Best finishGroup stage
TitlesNo title data in current record
Tournament-by-Tournament Results
Historical results table
Tournament-by-tournament results are not available in the current verified data set.
Memorable World Cup Moments
Moments to know
Memorable World Cup moments are pending verified editorial history notes.
Group Rivals
Same-group opponents
FAQ
Iraq World Cup 2026 FAQ
What group are Iraq in at the 2026 World Cup?
Iraq are in Group I. Iraq have played 1 group match and currently have 0 points.
Has Iraq announced their 2026 World Cup squad?
Squad pending
Who is Iraq's key player to watch?
The key-player field is pending verified editorial data.
What is Iraq's World Cup history?
Iraq’s only World Cup participation was in 1986 and they were eliminated in the group stage. That means the 2026 World Cup will be Iraq’s only second time qualifying for this tournament in history. Iraq is in Group I for the AFC qualifiers and will have to face the reality of a long gap that has existed since their last appearance in the World Cup finals. Given their history, Iraq has a goal that is simple yet difficult: to qualify for the World Cup finals again and to surpass their previous achievement.
Sources / Last Updated
Data provenance
Team recordEditorial team guide record
Fixtures and standingsWorld Cup fixture and standing data
Squad dataPlayer records linked to this team
Last updatedJun 22, 2026