Iraq go to the FIFA World Cup 2026 under Jesus Casas, drawn into Group B alongside Canada, Croatia, Algeria. 1986 – the only previous World Cup appearance. The 2026 squad is built around Aymen Hussein and Mohanad Ali, with manager Jesus Casas entering the tournament with a Round of 16 or quarter-final ceiling depending on group execution.
Key Takeaways
Contents
Iraq’s manager and tactical identity
Jesus Casas leads Iraq into the 2026 World Cup. A pragmatic manager with the squad and tactical flexibility to spring upsets. Tactically, Iraq are expected to sit deeper, hit on the break, and rely on individual quality from Aymen Hussein to unlock games.
Iraq’s squad: key players to watch
Iraq’s strongest 2026 assets centre on Aymen Hussein – the talisman whose form most often dictates results. Mohanad Ali provides a critical secondary threat, with Ali Al-Hamadi rounding out the spine of the team.
- Aymen Hussein – Iraq starter, core starter.
- Mohanad Ali – Iraq starter, core starter.
- Ali Al-Hamadi – Iraq starter, core starter.
For player-by-player analysis, see our players hub.
Iraq’s World Cup history
1986 – the only previous World Cup appearance. The 2026 World Cup is a measuring stick for a programme in development.
For deeper historical context, see our World Cup history hub.
Group B preview: Iraq’s path
Iraq faces three group-stage matches against Canada, Croatia, Algeria between June 12 and June 24, 2026. A top-two finish requires Iraq to take points off at least one of the higher-seeded opponents in the group.
The key match: Iraq vs Canada on Matchday 1, June 12, 2026 — a result here would set the trajectory for the entire group. Full fixture details are on our schedule page, and the full group analysis sits on the Group B preview page.
How far can Iraq go at the World Cup 2026?
Futbolzen rates Iraq as an underdog whose realistic ceiling is the Round of 16. Round of 16 via the best-third-place rule is the realistic upside. For our full tournament prediction model and group-by-group probabilities, see the predictions hub.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Iraq’s manager at the World Cup 2026?
Jesus Casas manages Iraq for the 2026 World Cup campaign.
Which group is Iraq in at the World Cup 2026?
Iraq is in Group B alongside Canada, Croatia, Algeria. Full group analysis on our Group B preview.
Who are Iraq’s key players?
Iraq’s standout players for 2026 are Aymen Hussein, Mohanad Ali, Ali Al-Hamadi. Aymen Hussein is the team’s primary attacking threat and the focal point of the tactical setup.
How many World Cups have Iraq won?
1986 – the only previous World Cup appearance.
Can Iraq win the World Cup 2026?
A title is highly unlikely. Iraq is targeting a Round of 16 berth as a realistic upside.
What’s next?
Last updated: May 23, 2026 by the Futbolzen editorial team. Squad selections firm up after the May 26, 2026 provisional list deadline. Tell us if you spot something out of date via our Corrections Policy.