Profile of Iraq National Team, Indonesia's Stumbling Block in Its World Cup Quest

October 7, 2025 | 01:02 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Iraqi national team entered the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers with high confidence. Under the leadership of Australian coach, Graham Arnold, the team nicknamed Lions of Mesopotamia has emerged as one of the most stable forces in West Asia. They will pose a serious challenge to Indonesia in Group B, alongside Saudi Arabia.

The Iraq Football Association (IFA) was founded in 1948 and registered with FIFA two years later. Their primary kit is white with black and red accents, while the away uniform is predominantly red. Their main stadium, the Basra International Stadium, can accommodate approximately 65,000 spectators and has become a symbol of Iraq's football resurgence after years of conflict.

Currently, Iraq ranks 58th in FIFA with 1,422.20 points, narrowly ahead of Saudi Arabia. This position reaffirms their consistency in previous qualifiers. In Asia, Iraq sits in seventh place. For a country that has endured prolonged periods of war, the team's achievement so far demonstrates the unifying power of football on a national level.

In the third round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, Iraq finished third in Group F with 16 points from 10 matches. They recorded four wins, four draws, and two losses. Iraq scored 14 goals and conceded eight. This achievement was sufficient to secure their progress to the fourth phase, confirming the effectiveness of Arnold's applied system.

The 62-year-old coach is known for frequently deploying a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formation. He emphasizes quick transitions from defense to offense. Two defensive midfielders, such as Ibrahim Bayesh (Al-Riyadh), maintain the balance, while Ali Jasim (Al-Najma, Saudi Arabia) serves as the primary playmaker.

Graham Arnold's New Squad

The current Iraqi squad consists of 28 players aged between 20 and 34. The majority come from domestic clubs such as Al-Shorta and Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya, while some others have careers in Europe and Asia. Two forwards are the main focus: Mohanad Ali (Dibba SCC, 24 years old) and Aymen Hussein (Al-Shorta, 28 years old). Both contributed to over a third of Iraq's goals in the previous phase.

In the last two years, Iraq has showcased an impressive performance in regional tournaments. They emerged as champions in the 2023 Arabian Gulf Cup, followed by a solid showing in the qualifiers. The victory in Basra signifies their football resurgence. "The country has just healed from its wounds. We need this happiness that only football has succeeded in bringing to us," said Basra resident Ahmed Sadiq, quoted by Middle East Eye.

Iraq has a long history on the international stage. They participated in the 1986 World Cup and clinched the 2007 Asian Cup. This trophy marked their resurgence at the Asian level. In the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, they bring a combination of experienced players and the energy of young talents, making them a stumbling block for the teams in Group B.

For Indonesia, Iraq is a formidable opponent. The two teams have met twice in the second round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. In Basra, Indonesia lost 1-5, while in Jakarta, the Garuda squad under the guidance of Shin Tae-yong suffered a 0-2 defeat. In the 2023 Asia Cup in Qatar, Indonesia also fell 1-3 to Iraq, who was then coached by Jesus Casas.

The Group B matches will be held at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah. Indonesia will face Saudi Arabia on October 9, then challenge Iraq three days later. The games between Saudi Arabia and Iraq will conclude the series on October 15.

Only the group winner will directly qualify for the 2026 World Cup in Canada, the United States, and Mexico, while the runner-up will advance to the fifth round. For Indonesia, the match against Iraq is not just a game, but a real test to measure maturity and readiness to compete on the Asian stage.

Editor’s Choice: "Make the Country Proud": Patrick Kluivert Optimistic About Indonesia's Chances at World Cup Qualifiers

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