Iraq national football team
Nickname(s) | Lions of Mesopotamia | ||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Association | Iraq Football Association (IFA) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Confederation | AFC (Asia) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Sub-confederation | WAFF (West Asia) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Head coach | Radhi Shenaishil (interim) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Captain | Jalal Hassan | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Most caps | Younis Mahmoud (148) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Top scorer | Hussein Saeed (78) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Home stadium | Basra International Stadium | ||||||||||||||||||||||
FIFA code | IRQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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FIFA ranking | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Current | 68 2 (6 October 2022)[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Highest | 39 (6 October 2004) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Lowest | 139 (3 July 1996) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
First international | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Morocco 3–3 Iraq (Beirut, Lebanon; 19 October 1957) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Biggest win | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Iraq 13–0 Ethiopia (Irbid, Jordan; 18 August 1992) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Biggest defeat | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Turkey 7–1 Iraq (Adana, Turkey; 6 December 1959) Brazil 6–0 Iraq (Malmö, Sweden; 11 October 2012) Chile 6–0 Iraq (Copenhagen, Denmark; 14 August 2013) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
World Cup | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Appearances | 1 (first in 1986) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Best result | Group stage (1986) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Asian Cup | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Appearances | 9 (first in 1972) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Best result | Champions (2007) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Arab Cup | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Appearances | 6 (first in 1964) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Best result | Champions (1964, 1966, 1985, 1988) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
WAFF Championship | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Appearances | 7 (first in 2000) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Best result | Champions (2002) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Arabian Gulf Cup | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Appearances | 15 (first in 1976) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Best result | Champions (1979, 1984, 1988) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
FIFA Confederations Cup | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Appearances | 1 (first in 2009) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Best result | Group stage (2009) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
|
The Iraq national football team (Arabic: منتخب العراق لكرة القدم) represents Iraq in international football and is controlled by the Iraq Football Association (IFA), the governing body for football in Iraq. Iraq's usual home venue is the Basra International Stadium.
Iraq have made one FIFA World Cup appearance in 1986, scoring their only goal against Belgium. They are one of eight current AFC nations to have won the AFC Asian Cup, claiming the title in 2007 in spite of difficult conditions and limited preparation. Iraq defeated some of the favourites in the competition including Australia, South Korea and Saudi Arabia. This qualified them for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup where they earned two points in the group stage, and they later finished fourth at the 2015 AFC Asian Cup.
Iraq's team is known for its passionate football fans and the national team is also seen as a symbol of hope and unity for Iraqi people.[2] The team reached an all-time high of 39th in the FIFA World Rankings in October 2004 and has previously been named National Team of the Year by AFC and World Team of the Year by World Soccer.
History
Early years
As early as 1923, an Iraqi team known as Baghdad XI, controlled by the Baghdad Football Association, started to play matches against British Army teams.[3] The Baghdad FA soon disbanded and it was not until 8 October 1948 that the Iraq Football Association was founded. The Iraq FA joined FIFA in 1950 and on 2 May 1951, Iraq played their first match: a 1–1 draw to a team named Basra XI.[4][3]
Iraq's first ever official international game came in the opening game of the 1957 Pan Arab Games in Beirut where Iraq drew 3–3 to Morocco with goals from Ammo Baba, Youra Eshaya (both from Iraq's Assyrian minority) and Fakhri Mohammed Salman.[5][3] One of the members of Iraq's first national team was Youra Eshaya, who in 1954 became the first Iraqi footballer to play abroad and in Europe for English Football League side Bristol Rovers.
In 1962, Iraq appointed their first foreign manager, Romanian coach Cornel Drăgușin. Iraq won their first trophy in 1964 when won the Arab Cup, winning three and drawing one of their four games. In the following edition, they retained their Arab Cup title, beating Syria 2–1 in the final in Baghdad.[3]
1970s
In 1972, Iraq played at their first ever AFC Asian Cup but failed to win a game in the tournament. In March 1973, Iraq played their first ever FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. They finished second in their group, a point behind Australia, therefore failing to qualify for the next round. In the remaining years of the 1970s, Iraq reached the second round of the Asian Games (1974), lost the Arabian Gulf Cup final (1976), finished fourth at the AFC Asian Cup (1976), finished fourth in the Asian Games (1978) and finally hosted and won the Arabian Gulf Cup (1979).[6] The 1976 Asian Cup would be the last Asian Cup that Iraq appeared in for the next 20 years, as they withdrew from the next four editions.
1980s – First Golden Generation
The 1980s was arguably Iraq's most successful period in their history. They started the decade off disappointingly, being knocked out in the first round of qualifiers for the 1982 FIFA World Cup. In 1982, they won the gold medal at the 1982 Asian Games. In 1984, Iraq won the Arabian Gulf Cup. The following year, they won the 1985 Arab Cup and also won the gold medal at the 1985 Pan Arab Games.
1986 FIFA World Cup
Iraq were seeded into the first round of qualifiers where they faced Qatar and Jordan. Iraq topped Group 1B with 6 points, and advanced to the second round. Iraq faced United Arab Emirates in two legs. Iraq defeated UAE 3–2 in Dubai. Iraq lost with 2–1 to UAE in the second leg. Iraq won 4–4 aggregate on away goals and advanced to the final round. In the final round, Iraq tied Syria 0–0 in Damascus. Iraq defeated Syria 3–1 in the second leg in Taif. Iraq won 3–1 on aggregate and qualified to the 1986 FIFA World Cup
At their first game of the Group B at the 1986 FIFA World Cup, Iraq played well against Paraguay, losing narrowly 1–0 despite scoring a goal that was controversially disallowed by the referee. Iraq recorded their first World Cup goal in the second game, scoring against Belgium in a 1–2 defeat despite having ten men, with Ahmed Radhi scoring a goal for Iraq. Iraq played against hosts Mexico in the third game, losing 1–0 and being eliminated from the World Cup.
In the following years, Iraq won the 1988 Arabian Gulf Cup and won the 1988 Arab Cup. Overall, Iraq won nine competitions in the 1980s and played in their only World Cup, leading many to believe that this was the golden era of Iraqi football. In 1989, Iraq competed in qualifying for a berth in the 1990 World Cup finals, but they lost a crucial game against Qatar.
1990s – The Dark Era
Following the Gulf War in 1990, Iraq was banned from participating in the Asian Games and in most Arab competitions, leading them to participate in friendly competitions instead.
In 1993, Iraq participated in qualifiers for the 1994 FIFA World Cup and reached the final round but finished fourth in the group, missing out on a World Cup spot by two points. By drawing their last game with Japan 2–2, they denied the Japanese a place in the finals in a match referred to by the Japanese media as the Agony of Doha.[7]
Iraq participated in the 1996 AFC Asian Cup, their first Asian Cup campaign for 20 years of withdrawing from the previous four. They reached the quarter-finals but lost to the United Arab Emirates due to a golden goal scored by Abdulrahman Ibrahim. In 1996, Iraq was ranked 139th in the world, which is their worst FIFA ranking in their history due to inactivity after withdrawing from several tournaments.
In 1997, Iraq participated in qualifiers for the 1998 FIFA World Cup but were knocked out at the first round following two defeats to Kazakhstan.
This period is known as 'The Dark Era' as Uday Hussein, the son of Saddam Hussein, abused his control of Iraqi football and tortured players who played poorly, punishing them by sending them to prison, making them bathe in raw sewage and kick concrete balls, and shaving their heads among many other punishments.[8][9]
2000s – Second Golden Generation
The 2000s was widely considered to be the rebirth and rise of one of Iraq's greatest football generation second only to the 1980s generation.
However, Iraq had a rocky beginning. It played in the 2000 AFC Asian Cup but were knocked out at the quarter-final stage again, this time by Japan in a 4–1 loss. Iraq reached the second round of 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification but lost five of their eight second-round games and therefore failed to make the finals. Iraq won their first ever WAFF Championship in 2002, beating Jordan 3–2 in the final after extra time despite being two goals down.
In 2004, Iraq once again reached the quarter-finals of the AFC Asian Cup before getting knocked out by China. In the same year they were knocked out at the second round of 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifiers by Uzbekistan.
Iraq were ranked as high as 39th in the World Rankings in October 2004 which is their highest ranking position in their history. The following year, Iraq won the gold medal in the West Asian Games by beating Syria in the final via a penalty shootout. In 2007, Iraq were knocked out at the group stage of the Arabian Gulf Cup. The exit from the Gulf Cup happened in very controversial circumstances as Iraq attempted to make an agreement with Saudi Arabia to draw the final game which would put both teams through to the next round; the Iraq manager Akram Salman told the Iraqi players not to win the game but the Saudi Arabian players were unaware of any agreement and went on to win the game and knock Iraq out of the cup.[10] Akram Salman was sacked and Jorvan Vieira appointed as head coach. Under him, Iraq reached the final of the WAFF Championship but lost 2–1 to Iran.
2007 AFC Asian Cup triumph
In July 2007, Iraq kicked off their 2007 AFC Asian Cup campaign. The squad was made mainly of players that had finished fourth at the 2004 Olympic Games and finished second at the 2006 Asian Games. Vieira only had two months to prepare his team for the tournament, and the team suffered from very poor facilities. The Iraq FA struggled to provide the team with enough kits for the tournament and Iraq had not been able to play any previous games in their own country for security reasons and most of the players had had family members killed in the war.
The team started the tournament with a 1–1 draw against joint-hosts Thailand before producing a 3–1 win over favourites Australia. A draw with Oman followed to put Iraq into the quarter-finals where two goals from Younis Mahmoud against Vietnam put Iraq into the semi-finals for the second time in their history. They manages to knock out one of the best Asian teams, South Korea in the semis via a penalty shootout in which Noor Sabri made a crucial save. After the game, a suicide bomber killed 30 football fans who were celebrating the semi-final win over South Korea and this almost led to the Iraqi team withdrawing from the final, but they decided to go on in honour of the dead and succeeded in doing that after defeating Saudi Arabia 1–0 in the final, a game that they dominated from start to finish and that was won by a Younis Mahmoud header. This tournament win is seen as one of the greatest upsets in international history as a war-torn country became international champions in what is described as one of sport's greatest 'fairytales'.[11][12]
Asian Cup aftermath
Vieira stated during the final that he would resign after the Asian Cup.[13] He was replaced by Egil Olsen in September 2007.[14] Under Olsen, Iraq advanced to the third round of World Cup qualifiers, but after a 1–1 draw with China, the FA sacked Olsen and replaced him with Adnan Hamad.[15] Iraq failed to advance to the final round of 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers as a 1–0 defeat to Qatar saw them finish in third in the group. Following this, the Iraq FA decided to disband the team and sacked Hamad.[16]
Jorvan Vieira was reappointed in September 2008. After a disappointing 2009 Arabian Gulf Cup, Vieira was sacked and replaced by Bora Milutinovic.[17]
2009 FIFA Confederations Cup
In 2009, Iraq participated in only their second FIFA tournament ever: the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, which they qualified for by winning the 2007 AFC Asian Cup. They started the tournament with a 0–0 draw with hosts South Africa, before losing 1–0 to UEFA Euro 2008 winners Spain. Iraq drew the last game 0–0 with New Zealand and were knocked out.
On 20 November 2009, the FIFA Emergency Committee suspended the Iraq FA due to government interference;[18] the suspension was lifted on 19 March 2010.[19]
2010s – Ups and downs
Wolfgang Sidka was appointed coach in August 2010 to lead Iraq in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup.[20] Iraq reached the quarter finals, as they lost 1–0 to Australia. The match went into extra time with Harry Kewell heading in a goal in the 117th minute just inside the 18-yard box. In the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification, Iraq advanced to the third round but Sidka's contract was not renewed and he was succeeded by Zico in August 2011. Iraq topped the group in the third round, winning 5 of 6 games. However, halfway through the fourth round, Iraq only had 5 points and Zico resigned due to unpaid wages.[21]
Hakeem Shaker took over as interim coach and finished as runners-up in both the 2012 WAFF Championship and 2013 Arabian Gulf Cup. In February 2013, Vladimir Petrović was appointed for the remaining World Cup qualifiers, but lost all three matches and Iraq finished bottom of their group. Petrović was sacked in September 2013 and Hakeem Shaker was reappointed.[22]
On the last matchday, Iraq qualified for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup by beating China 3–1. However, Iraq finished bottom of the group in the 2014 Arabian Gulf Cup leading to the sacking of Hakeem Shaker and the appointment of Radhi Shenaishil.
Iraq progressed to the 2015 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage as the Group D runners-up behind Japan with six points. Iraq defeated Iran in the quarter-finals in penalties, 7–6, after the game ended 3–3 after 120 minutes of play. They faced South Korea in the semi-finals but lost 0–2 and failed to progress to the final. Iraq finished the AFC Asian Cup in fourth place, after losing 2–3 to United Arab Emirates in third place match.
After the tournament, Shenaishil returned to managing Qatar SC and Iraq appointed Akram Salman as manager but he was sacked in June 2015 after losing 4–0 to Japan in a friendly match.
Yahya Alwan was appointed in August 2015. Due to poor performances, Abdul-Ghani Shahad replaced him as interim coach for the final qualifier in March 2016. Shahad led Iraq to qualification for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup and the final round. Radhi Shenaishil was appointed to lead Iraq in the final round. After losing five of their first seven games, Iraq were eliminated and Shenaishil was sacked.[23] Basim Qasim was appointed in May 2017 to lead Iraq for the remaining qualifiers. The FA decided not to renew his contract in August 2018.
On 3 September 2018, Srečko Katanec was appointed as head coach on a three-year contract.[24] Under Katanec, Iraq reached the round of 16 of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup as they lost 1–0 to eventual champions Qatar.[25]
2020s
Under Katanec, Iraq reached the final round of 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification with five wins from eight matches including a 2–1 victory against Iran.[26] Iraq also showed great form in the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup, reaching the semi-finals by beating Qatar and United Arab Emirates. Iraq went 19 consecutive matches without losing between 2019 and 2021 and moved up from 89th to 68th in the FIFA rankings during Katanec's tenure. Katanec departed in July 2021 after six months of unpaid wages and filed a complaint with FIFA.[27]
On 31 July 2021, Dutchman Dick Advocaat was appointed head coach of Iraq.[28] Under Advocaat, Iraq made to a slow start to the third round of World Cup Qualifiers, drawing four games and losing two, and on 21 November 2021, Advocaat resigned. Željko Petrović took charge of the team for the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup, where Iraq were eliminated from the group stage. Petrović was sacked after two further winless qualifying games and Abdul-Ghani Shahad was appointed as an interim manager, but Iraq were eliminated after finishing fourth in the group.
Team image
Kit
The Iraqi national football team kit has previously been manufactured by brands such as Adidas, Puma, Nike, Diadora, Jack & Jones, Lotto, Peak, Givova and Umbro. Its current kit supplier is Jako.[29][30]
Kit suppliers
Kit supplier | Period | Notes |
---|---|---|
Umbro | 1984–1986 | |
Adidas | 1986–1994 | |
Puma | 1996 | |
Patrick | 2000 | |
Jako | 2003–2004 | |
Jack & Jones | 2004–2006 | |
Diadora | 2006 | |
Lotto | 2006 | |
Adidas | 2007 | |
Umbro | 2007 | |
Peak | 2008–2014 | |
Adidas | 2014 | |
Jako | 2014–2019 | |
Givova | 2019–2020 | |
Umbro | 2020–2022[31] | |
Jako | 2022– |
Nickname
The Iraqi team is commonly known as Usood Al-Rafidain (Arabic: أسود الرافدين), meaning "Lions of Mesopotamia". In ancient Mesopotamia, the Babylonian lion was a symbol of power, impetuosity, ferocity, prestige and dominance.[32] This is reflected in the sculpted lions in Babylon, where the processional path is ornamented with ceramic tile bas-reliefs representing a prestigious lion from the time of Nebuchadnezzar II. This kind of representation aimed to glorify the king, master of the beasts, and also represent the defeat of the enemy.[33] Moreover, the Chaldean royal inscriptions depict the king as a ferocious lion to whom nothing can be resisted.[34][35][36] The presence of lions in ancient Iraqi civilization was based on the belief, or desire, that the animals represented would bring with them the virtues they symbolized, so that they could be transmitted to the owners.[37]
Team logo
Iraq kits throughout history have usually featured the flag of Iraq on them, although the coat of arms of Iraq and the Iraq Football Association logo have both appeared on kits in the past. The national team has occasionally had its own unique logo, the first of which was in 1983. This logo was based on the Iraq flag, with Iraqi written at the top of the crest.[38] From 2000 to 2002, the national team's logo featured a vertical flag with the name Iraq above in green Arabic text. In the 2005 West Asian Games, the team wore a new logo with the red band of the flag appearing in a large semi-circle shape,[39] and in 2007, Iraq briefly reverted to using the logo that they had used from 2000 to 2002. On 23 October 2020, the national team's current logo was revealed, and a star features above the crest to commemorate the nation's 2007 AFC Asian Cup victory.[40]
- 1983
- 2000–2002 and 2007
- 2005
- 2020–present
Rivalries
Due to geographical location, Iraq maintains strong rivalries with many neighbours.
Iraq's main and traditional rival has been Iran, and they are often considered to be two of the greatest football teams in the Middle East and Asia with one of the greatest rivalries. At the early stage, Iran had proved to be more dominant than Iraq, remaining undefeated from 1964 until 1993. In the contemporary era, especially during the reign of Saddam Hussein, the two countries had bad relations and fought the Iran–Iraq War for eight years.[41][42] Iraqis have considered any matches against Iran as a must-win encounter and are known to treat it differently from any other football matches.[43] Iraq has played 31 matches against Iran with 6 victories, 7 draws, and 18 losses.
Iraq's other rival is Saudi Arabia, and matches between the two teams also draw significant attention from Iraqi fans, with Iraq and Saudi Arabia being recognised as the two most successful Arab teams in Asia. The beginnings of the footballing rivalry between them dates back to the 1970s, but it was only after the 1990s that the rivalry between the two Arab nations truly developed since it was previously overshadowed by Iraq's rivalries with Iran and Kuwait.[44] One of these reasons for the rivalry to develop is due to the bitter Gulf War, where Iraq fought against Saudi Arabia over Kuwait, an ally of Saudi Arabia.[45] These encounters have also been marred with various controversies and hostilities, such as the 21st Arabian Gulf Cup hosting rights, where Iraq was stripped from hosting with the tournament instead being moved to Bahrain, a move which was believed by Iraqis as a deliberate act by Saudi Arabia to remove Iraq's home advantage.[45] Before that, Iraq was also banned from hosting home games against Saudi Arabia due to the Gulf War.[45] Iraq has played 39 matches against Saudi Arabia with 17 victories, 11 draws, and 11 losses
Iraq's rivalry with Kuwait was once considered the greatest football rivalry in the Middle East, until being taken over by Iraq's rivalry with Saudi Arabia due to Kuwait's decline. The rivalry began in the mid-1970s. Because of the Gulf War, Iraq and Kuwait were in complete avoidance and never met for more than 15 years until 2005. Iraq has played 36 matches against Kuwait with 16 victories, 10 draws, and 10 losses.
Supporters
Iraq national team supporters are known for chanting "O Victorious Baghdad" ("منصورة يا بغداد") or "With our souls and our blood, we will redeem you, O Iraq" ("بالروح بالدم نفديك يا عراق") during the Iraqi team's matches.[46]
Another famous chant is "the first goal is coming" ("هسه يجي الاول") which is chanted in the beginning of the match.[47] A succeeding chant is "the second goal is coming" ("هسه يجي الثاني"); this is usually chanted repeatedly after Iraq score a goal to motivate the players to score another.
Home matches in Iraq
Currently, Iraq primarily play their home matches in Basra or Baghdad, and use other various stadiums around Iraq.
Since 1980, FIFA imposed bans on seven occasions that prevented Iraq from hosting competitive international games.
First ban
The first ban was imposed in 1980 after an Olympic qualifying play-off between Iraq and Kuwait in Baghdad, where the match referee was attacked by enraged home fans and members of the Iraqi team after the Malaysian official's decision to award a match changing penalty to the Kuwaitis that led to Iraq losing 3–2. The ban was lifted in 1982.[48]
Second ban
Around the same time, the Iran–Iraq War started and the ban was imposed again. Iraq played their qualifying home games at a neutral venue and still qualified for the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, and three Olympic Games (Moscow, Los Angeles and Seoul). The ban was lifted in 1988, when the war ended.
Third ban
When the Gulf War broke out in 1990, FIFA banned Iraq again until 1995. Iraq played at home at the 1998 World Cup qualifiers and 2002 World Cup qualifiers.
Fourth ban
The Iraq War in 2003 forced Iraq to play their home matches outside the country for security reasons, and so home games were held at neutral venues for the 2006 World Cup qualifiers and 2010 World Cup qualifiers.
Iraq resumed playing on home soil on 10 July 2009, winning a friendly 3–0 against Palestine in Erbil. Iraq played the same opponents three days later, in Al-Shaab Stadium in Baghdad, this time winning 4–0 in front of a crowd of over 50,000. The same month, the AFC Executive Committee approved the Franso Hariri Stadium as venue for international matches and clubs in continental tournaments.[49] On 23 July 2011, Iraq played a FIFA World Cup qualifier on home ground for the first time since 2001. They played against Yemen in front of a crowd of 20,000 people in the Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil.
Fifth ban
FIFA re-imposed the ban on 23 September 2011 due to fears over security and a breach of safety regulations in the match with Jordan.
Two years later, on 22 March 2013, FIFA lifted the ban on international friendlies in Iraqi stadiums. Four days later, Iraq played their first international friendly match in Baghdad since 2009 against Syria in front of a crowd of over 50,000 people in the Al-Shaab Stadium and won the game 2–1. On 3 July 2013, FIFA re-imposed the ban due to a massive surge in nationwide violence. On 9 May 2017, FIFA lifted the ban partially on international friendlies in the cities of Basra, Karbala, and Erbil. Iraq played their first international game in Basra on 1 June 2017, beating Jordan 1–0.
After successfully hosting friendlies, on 16 March 2018, FIFA announced the lifting of the ban on competitive matches in the three cities.[50]
Sixth ban
However, following the outbreak of 2019 Iraqi protests, FIFA once again imposed competitive home matches ban on Iraq.[51]
Following a security assessment, on 27 February 2022, FIFA decided to lift the ban on all Iraqi stadiums including Baghdad.[52]
Seventh ban
On 16 March 2022, AFC announced that they re-imposed the ban due to the 2022 Erbil rocket attacks.[53]
The following competitive home games have been played in Iraq after 2003:
Date | Venue | Opponent | Result | Competition | Iraq scorers |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
23 July 2011 | Franso Hariri Stadium, Erbil | Yemen | 2–0 W | 2014 WCQ | Hawar Mulla Mohammed 10', Abdul-Zahra 64' |
2 September 2011 | Franso Hariri Stadium, Erbil | Jordan | 0–2 L | 2014 WCQ | |
10 October 2019 | Basra International Stadium, Basra | Hong Kong | 2–0 W | 2022 WCQ | Mohanad Ali 37', Adnan 79' (pen.) |
Recent results and fixtures
Win Draw Loss Fixtures
2021
11 November 2021 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification | Iraq | 1–1 | Syria | Doha, Qatar |
20:00 UTC+3 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Thani bin Jassim Stadium Referee: Nawaf Shukralla (Bahrain) |
16 November 2021 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification | Iraq | 0–3 | South Korea | Doha, Qatar |
18:00 UTC+3 | Report |
|
Stadium: Thani bin Jassim Stadium Referee: Ilgiz Tantashev (Uzbekistan) |
30 November 2021 FIFA Arab Cup | Iraq | 1–1 | Oman | Al Wakrah, Qatar |
16:00 UTC+3 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Al Janoub Stadium Referee: Said Martínez (Honduras) |
2022
21 January 2022 Friendly | Iraq | 1–0 | Uganda | Baghdad, Iraq |
18:00 UTC+3 | Abbas 17' | Report | Stadium: Al-Madina Stadium |
27 January 2022 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification | Iran | 1–0 | Iraq | Tehran, Iran |
18:00 UTC+3:30 |
|
Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
Stadium: Azadi Stadium Referee: Chris Beath (Australia) |
1 February 2022 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification | Lebanon | 1–1 | Iraq | Sidon, Lebanon |
14:00 UTC+2 | Sabra 45+2' | Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
Hussein 39' | Stadium: Saida Municipal Stadium, Sidon Attendance: 6,341 Referee: Adham Makhadmeh (Jordan) |
18 March 2022 Friendly | Iraq | 3–1 | Zambia | Baghdad, Iraq |
20:00 UTC+3 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Al-Madina Stadium Attendance: 25,237 Referee: Yousif Saeed Hasan (Iraq) |
24 March 2022 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification | Iraq | 1–0 | United Arab Emirates | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
20:00 UTC+3 | Al-Saedi 53' | Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
Stadium: King Fahd Stadium Referee: Ma Ning (China) |
29 March 2022 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification | Syria | 1–1 | Iraq | Dubai, UAE |
21:00 UTC+4 |
|
|
Stadium: Rashid Stadium Referee: Ryuji Sato (Japan) |
23 September 2022 Jordan International Tournament | Iraq | 1–1 (3–4 p) | Oman | Amman, Jordan |
18:00 UTC+3 |
|
|
Stadium: King Abdullah II Stadium | |
Penalties | ||||
|
|
26 September 2022 Jordan International Tournament | Iraq | 1–0 | Syria | Amman, Jordan |
18:00 UTC+3 |
|
Stadium: Amman International Stadium |
17 November 2022 Friendly | Iraq | v | Costa Rica | Basra, Iraq |
Stadium: Basra International Stadium |
All-time results
- As of 24 March 2022
Year | GP | W | D | L | Win % | Matches |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1957–1969 | 37 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 40.54 | Matches |
1970–1979 | 113 | 61 | 30 | 22 | 53.98 | Matches |
1980–1989 | 128 | 69 | 35 | 24 | 53.91 | Matches |
1990–1999 | 56 | 33 | 14 | 9 | 58.93 | Matches |
2000–2009 | 141 | 55 | 42 | 44 | 39.01 | Matches |
2010–2019 | 159 | 67 | 44 | 48 | 42.14 | Matches |
2020–present | 24 | 9 | 10 | 5 | 37.50 | Matches |
Total | 658 | 309 | 187 | 162 | 46.96 |
Coaching staff
As of 5 September 2022.[54][55]
Players
Current squad
The following 23 players were called up to the Jordan International Tournament in September 2022.[56]
Caps and goals correct as of 26 September 2022, after the game against Syria
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
12 | GK | Jalal Hassan | 18 May 1991 | 63 | 0 | Al-Zawraa |
1 | GK | Dolvan Mahdi | 27 October 1993 | 0 | 0 | Al-Talaba |
20 | GK | Hassan Ahmed | 4 October 1999 | 0 | 0 | Al-Talaba |
2 | DF | Manaf Younis | 16 November 1996 | 10 | 0 | Al-Shorta |
3 | DF | Hamza Adnan | 8 February 1996 | 3 | 0 | Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya |
13 | DF | Ahmed Abdul-Hussein | 22 October 1997 | 3 | 0 | Al-Zawraa |
22 | DF | Merchas Doski | 7 December 1999 (aged 22) | 2 | 0 | Slovácko |
5 | DF | Karrar Amer | 16 October 1994 | 1 | 0 | Al-Shorta |
21 | DF | Abbas Mohamad | 15 June 1998 | 1 | 0 | Dalkurd FF |
4 | DF | Zaid Tahseen | 29 January 2001 | 1 | 0 | Al-Talaba |
23 | DF | Alai Ghasem | 16 February 2003 | 1 | 0 | IFK Goteborg |
14 | MF | Amjad Attwan | 12 March 1997 | 64 | 1 | Al-Shamal |
8 | MF | Hussein Ali | 29 November 1996 | 44 | 5 | CS Sfaxien |
9 | MF | Ibrahim Bayesh | 1 May 2000 | 30 | 3 | Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya |
7 | MF | Sherko Karim | 25 May 1996 | 16 | 1 | Kuwait SC |
15 | MF | Mohammed Ali Abboud | 1 October 2000 | 9 | 0 | Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya |
16 | MF | Amir Al-Ammari | 27 July 1997 | 8 | 1 | Mjällby AIF |
10 | MF | Hassan Abdul-Karim | 1 January 1999 | 8 | 1 | Al-Zawraa |
11 | MF | Hiran Ahmed | 6 April 2000 | 2 | 0 | FC Thun |
17 | MF | Shihab Razzaq | 7 October 1995 | 1 | 0 | Al-Karkh |
6 | MF | Rewan Amin | 8 January 1996 | 1 | 0 | Dalkurd FF |
18 | FW | Aymen Hussein | 22 March 1996 | 53 | 11 | Al-Markhiya |
19 | FW | Aso Rostam | 1 December 1994 | 2 | 0 | Al-Salmiya |
Recent call-ups
The following players have been called up within the last 12 months and remain eligible for selection.
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Hassan Habib | 28 April 2001 | 0 | 0 | Zakho | 2022 Jordan International Tournament PRE |
GK | Ahmed Basil | 19 August 1996 | 0 | 0 | Al-Shorta | 2022 Jordan International Tournament PRE |
GK | Ahmed Shaker | 19 September 1998 | 0 | 0 | Al-Karkh | 2022 Jordan International Tournament PRE |
GK | Mohammed Hameed | 24 January 1993 | 37 | 0 | Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya | v. Syria, 29 March 2022 |
GK | Fahad Talib | 21 October 1994 | 17 | 0 | Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya | v. Zambia, 18 March 2022 INJ |
GK | Mohammed Shakir | 28 September 1996 | 0 | 0 | Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya | v. Zambia, 18 March 2022 |
GK | Mohammed Saleh | 12 June 1995 | 0 | 0 | Zakho | v. Zambia, 18 March 2022 |
GK | Ali Yaseen | 9 August 1993 | 0 | 0 | Al-Zawraa | 2021 FIFA Arab Cup, December 2021 |
DF | Ali Faez | 9 September 1994 | 38 | 3 | Al-Talaba | 2022 Jordan International Tournament PRE |
DF | Hussein Ammar | 18 August 1999 | 0 | 0 | Naft Al-Basra | 2022 Jordan International Tournament PRE |
DF | Martin Haddad | 8 December 1999 | 0 | 0 | Örebro Syrianska | 2022 Jordan International Tournament PRE |
DF | Mohanad Jeahze | 10 April 1997 | 4 | 0 | Hammarby IF | 2022 Jordan International Tournament INJ |
DF | Ruslan Hanoon | 4 March 1996 | 1 | 0 | Naft Al-Wasat | 2022 Jordan International Tournament PRE |
DF | Cardo Siddik | 21 September 2002 (aged 19) | 0 | 0 | Crystal Palace U23 | 2022 Jordan International Tournament INJ |
DF | Hassan Raed | 23 September 2000 | 10 | 0 | Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya | 2022 Jordan International Tournament PRE |
DF | Muntadher Mohammed | 5 June 2001 | 2 | 0 | Al-Taawon | 2022 Jordan International Tournament PRE |
DF | Ahmed Ibrahim | 25 February 1992 | 118 | 5 | Erbil | v. Syria, 29 March 2022 |
DF | Mustafa Mohammed | 14 January 1998 | 16 | 0 | Al-Zawraa | v. Syria, 29 March 2022 |
DF | Abbas Qasim | 15 January 1991 | 3 | 0 | Al-Zawraa | v. Syria, 29 March 2022 |
DF | Dhurgham Ismail | 24 May 1994 | 63 | 4 | Al-Talaba | v. Syria, 29 March 2022 |
DF | Saad Natiq | 19 March 1994 | 32 | 0 | Abha | v. United Arab Emirates, 24 March 2022 |
DF | Mustafa Nadhim | 23 September 1993 | 35 | 3 | Al-Faisaly | v. Zambia, 18 March 2022 |
DF | Maitham Jabbar | 10 November 2000 | 19 | 0 | Al-Zawraa | v. Zambia, 18 March 2022 |
DF | Haider Ahmed | 2 February 1996 | 0 | 0 | Al-Zawraa | v. Zambia, 18 March 2022 |
DF | Sameh Saeed | 26 May 1992 | 17 | 0 | Zakho | v. Lebanon, 1 February 2022 |
DF | Frans Putros | 14 July 1993 | 9 | 0 | Port | v. Lebanon, 1 February 2022 |
DF | Rebin Sulaka | 12 April 1992 | 28 | 0 | Buriram United | v. Uganda, 21 January 2022 RET |
DF | Ali Adnan | 19 December 1993 | 84 | 7 | Rubin Kazan | v. South Korea, 16 November 2021 |
MF | Mohammed Qasim | 6 December 1996 | 23 | 2 | Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya | 2022 Jordan International Tournament INJ |
MF | Ahmed Farhan | 1 January 1999 | 6 | 0 | Al-Shorta | 2022 Jordan International Tournament INJ |
MF | Bassam Shakir | 17 May 2000 | 2 | 0 | Al-Shorta | 2022 Jordan International Tournament INJ |
MF | Zidane Iqbal | 27 April 2003 | 2 | 0 | Manchester United | 2022 Jordan International Tournament WD |
MF | Sajad Jassim | 7 January 1998 | 8 | 1 | Al-Shorta | 2022 Jordan International Tournament PRE |
MF | Muntadher Abdul-Amir | 6 October 2001 | 0 | 0 | Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya | 2022 Jordan International Tournament PRE |
MF | Justin Meram | 4 December 1988 | 37 | 4 | Real Salt Lake | v. Syria, 29 March 2022 |
MF | Bashar Resan | 22 December 1996 | 52 | 3 | Qatar SC | v. Syria, 29 March 2022 |
MF | Saad Abdul-Amir | 19 January 1992 | 84 | 4 | Al-Zawraa | v. Syria, 29 March 2022 |
MF | Hassan Dakhel | 19 October 1997 | 0 | 0 | Naft Al-Wasat | v. United Arab Emirates, 24 March 2022 |
MF | Ali Husni | 23 May 1994 | 28 | 3 | Al-Shorta | v. Zambia, 18 March 2022 |
MF | Mohammed Mezher | 24 March 1998 | 2 | 0 | Al-Shorta | v. Zambia, 18 March 2022 |
MF | Hussein Jabbar | 9 March 1998 | 2 | 0 | Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya | v. Zambia, 18 March 2022 |
MF | Murad Mohammed | 1 April 1997 | 1 | 0 | Al-Zawraa | v. Zambia, 18 March 2022 |
MF | Ameer Sabah | 3 June 1998 | 0 | 0 | Al-Shorta | v. Zambia, 18 March 2022 |
MF | Youssef Fawzi | 1 December 1998 | 0 | 0 | Al-Karkh | v. Zambia, 18 March 2022 |
MF | Karrar Nabeel | 16 January 1998 | 3 | 0 | Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya | v. Lebanon, 1 February 2022 |
MF | Yaser Kasim | 10 May 1991 | 21 | 3 | Welling United | v. Iran, 27 January 2022 |
MF | Ahmed Yasin | 22 April 1991 | 63 | 6 | Örebro SK | v. Uganda, 21 January 2022 |
MF | Ahmad Fadhel | 1 January 1992 | 9 | 0 | Al-Najaf | v. Uganda, 21 January 2022 |
MF | Sumar Almadjed | 13 March 1996 | 0 | 0 | Helsingborgs IF | v. Uganda, 21 January 2022 INJ |
MF | Jiloan Hamad | 6 November 1990 | 1 | 0 | Örebro SK | v. South Korea, 16 November 2021 |
FW | Wakaa Ramadan | 17 April 1999 | 0 | 0 | Al-Talaba | 2022 Jordan International Tournament PRE |
FW | Ali Al-Hamadi | 1 March 2002 | 5 | 0 | Wycombe Wanderers | 2022 Jordan International Tournament WD |
FW | Alaa Abbas | 27 July 1997 | 24 | 4 | Al-Zawraa | 2022 Jordan International Tournament PRE |
FW | Mohannad Abdul-Raheem | 22 September 1993 | 50 | 11 | Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya | v. Syria, 29 March 2022 |
FW | Ali Yousif | 19 January 1996 | 2 | 0 | Al-Zawraa | v. Uganda, 21 January 2022 |
FW | Alaa Abdul-Zahra | 22 December 1987 | 126 | 17 | Al-Shorta | v. South Korea, 16 November 2021 |
SUS Player suspended |
Records
- As of 29 March 2022.[57]
- Players in bold are still active with Iraq.
Most capped players
Rank | Name | Caps | Goals | First cap | Latest cap |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Younis Mahmoud | 148 | 57 | 19 July 2002 | 29 March 2016 |
2 | Hussein Saeed | 137 | 78 | 5 September 1976 | 3 March 1990 |
3 | Alaa Abdul-Zahra | 126 | 17 | 8 June 2007 | 11 November 2021 |
4 | Adnan Dirjal | 121 | 8 | 11 December 1978 | 3 March 1990 |
Ahmed Radhi | 121 | 62 | 21 February 1982 | 20 June 1997 | |
6 | Ahmed Ibrahim | 118 | 5 | 11 November 2010 | 29 March 2022 |
7 | Nashat Akram | 113 | 17 | 5 October 2001 | 4 June 2013 |
Hawar Mulla Mohammed | 113 | 20 | 31 August 2001 | 12 June 2012 | |
Ali Rehema | 113 | 2 | 8 June 2005 | 29 March 2016 | |
10 | Mahdi Karim | 110 | 11 | 12 October 2001 | 28 February 2018 |
Top goalscorers
Rank | Player | Goals | Caps | Ratio | Career |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Hussein Saeed | 78 | 137 | 0.57 | 1976–1990 |
2 | Ahmed Radhi | 62 | 121 | 0.51 | 1982–1997 |
3 | Younis Mahmoud | 57 | 148 | 0.39 | 2002–2016 |
4 | Ali Kadhim | 35 | 82 | 0.43 | 1970–1980 |
5 | Falah Hassan | 29 | 103 | 0.28 | 1970–1986 |
6 | Emad Mohammed | 27 | 103 | 0.26 | 2001–2012 |
7 | Razzaq Farhan | 25 | 62 | 0.4 | 1998–2007 |
8 | Laith Hussein | 21 | 80 | 0.26 | 1986–2002 |
9 | Hawar Mulla Mohammed | 20 | 113 | 0.18 | 2001–2012 |
10 | Husham Mohammed | 19 | 43 | 0.44 | 1998–2004 |
Competitive record
Overview | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Event | 1st place | 2nd place | 3rd place | 4th place |
FIFA World Cup | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
FIFA Confederations Cup | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
AFC Asian Cup | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Total | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup finals record | FIFA World Cup qualification record | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Squad | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
1930 to 1970 | Did not enter | Did not enter | ||||||||||||||
1974 | Did not qualify | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 6 | |||||||||
1978 | Withdrew | Withdrew | ||||||||||||||
1982 | Did not qualify | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | |||||||||
1986 | Group stage | 23rd | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 | Squad | 10 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 25 | 11 | |
1990 | Did not qualify | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 5 | |||||||||
1994 | 13 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 37 | 13 | ||||||||||
1998 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 8 | ||||||||||
2002 | 14 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 37 | 15 | ||||||||||
2006 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 17 | 7 | ||||||||||
2010 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 11 | 6 | ||||||||||
2014 | 16 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 20 | 12 | ||||||||||
2018 | 16 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 24 | 18 | ||||||||||
2022 | 18 | 6 | 8 | 4 | 20 | 16 | ||||||||||
2026 | To be determined | To be determined | ||||||||||||||
Total | Best: Group stage | 1/22 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 | — | 121 | 56 | 32 | 33 | 232 | 119 |
AFC Asian Cup
AFC Asian Cup finals record | AFC Asian Cup qualification record | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Squad | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1956 to 1968 | Not an AFC member | Not an AFC member | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1972 | Group stage | 6th | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | Squad | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1976 | Fourth place | 4th | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 | Squad | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1980 to 1988 | Withdrew | Withdrew | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1992 | Did not enter | Did not enter | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1996 | Quarter-finals | 6th | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 4 | Squad | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2000 | Quarter-finals | 7th | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 7 | Squad | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2004 | Quarter-finals | 8th | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 7 | Squad | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 16 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2007 | Champions | 1st | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 2 | Squad | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 12 | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2011 | Quarter-finals | 8th | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 3 | Squad | Qualified as defending champions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2015 | Fourth place | 4th | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 9 | Squad | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2019 | Round of 16 | 11th | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 3 | Squad | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 13 | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2023 | Qualified | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 14 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | 1 Title | 9/17 | 39 | 15 | 8 | 16 | 44 | 45 | — | 49 | 33 | 10 | 6 | 102 | 36 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
FIFA Confederations Cup
FIFA Confederations Cup record | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Squad | |
1992 to 1995 | Did not enter | |||||||||
1997 to 2005 | Did not qualify | |||||||||
2009 | Group stage | 7th | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Squad | |
2013 to 2017 | Did not qualify | |||||||||
Total | Best: Group stage | 1/10 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | — |
Summer Olympics
Summer Olympics record | Qualification record | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Squad | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
1900 to 1956 | Did not enter | Did not enter | ||||||||||||||
1960 | Did not qualify | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 10 | |||||||||
1964 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||
1968 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 5 | ||||||||||
1972 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | ||||||||||
1976 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 4 | ||||||||||
1980 | Quarter-finals | 8th | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 5 | Squad | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 3 | |
1984 | Group stage | 14th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | Squad | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 10 | 7 | |
1988 | Group stage | 10th | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | Squad | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 6 | |
1992–present | See Iraq national under-23 football team | See Iraq national under-23 football team | ||||||||||||||
Total | Best: Quarter-finals | 3/19 | 10 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 12 | 15 | — | 40 | 21 | 7 | 12 | 65 | 44 |
Asian Games
Asian Games record | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Squad | |
1951 to 1970 | Did not enter | |||||||||
1974 | Round 2 | 5th | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 2 | Squad | |
1978 | Fourth place | 4th | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 11 | 4 | Squad | |
1982 | Gold medalists | 1st | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 2 | Squad | |
1986 | Quarter-finals | 6th | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 5 | Squad | |
1990 to 1998 | Banned due to Gulf War | |||||||||
2002–present | See Iraq national under-23 football team | |||||||||
Total | 1 Title | 4/13 | 24 | 15 | 4 | 5 | 41 | 13 | — |
Regional competitions
WAFF Championship record | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Result | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Squad | |
2000 | Third place | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 2 | Squad | |
2002 | Champions | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | Squad | |
2004 | Fourth place | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 8 | Squad | |
2007 | Runners-up | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 2 | Squad | |
2008 | Withdrew | ||||||||
2010 | Semi-finals | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 3 | Squad | |
2012 | Runners-up | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | Squad | |
2014 | See Iraq national under-23 football team | ||||||||
2019 | Runners-up | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | Squad | |
2023 | To be determined | ||||||||
Total | 1 Title | 29 | 16 | 6 | 7 | 40 | 22 | — |
FIFA Arab Cup record | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Result | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Squad | |
1963 | Did not enter | ||||||||
1964 | Champions | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | Squad | |
1966 | Champions | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 20 | 5 | Squad | |
1985 | Champions | 4(1) | 3 | 1 | 0(1) | 7(2) | 3(3) | Squad | |
1988 | Champions | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 2 | Squad | |
1992 to 2002 | Banned due to Gulf War | ||||||||
2012 | Third place | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 4 | Squad | |
2021 | Group stage | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | Squad | |
Total | 4 Titles | 28(1) | 16 | 10 | 2(1) | 47(2) | 20(3) | (Qualifiers in brackets) |
Arabian Gulf Cup record | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Result | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Squad | |
1970 to 1974 | Did not enter | ||||||||
1976 | Runners-up | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 23 | 8 | Squad | |
1979 | Champions | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 1 | Squad | |
1982 | Withdrew | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 2 | Squad | |
1984 | Champions | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 12 | 5 | Squad | |
1986 | Sixth place | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 9 | Squad | |
1988 | Champions | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 1 | Squad | |
1990 | Withdrew | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 3 | Squad | |
1992 to 2003–04 | Banned due to Gulf War | ||||||||
2004 | Group stage | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 7 | Squad | |
2007 | Group stage | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | Squad | |
2009 | Group stage | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 8 | Squad | |
2010 | Semi-finals | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 4 | Squad | |
2013 | Runners-up | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 3 | Squad | |
2014 | Group stage | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | Squad | |
2017–18 | Semi-finals | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 2 | Squad | |
2019 | Semi-finals | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 3 | Squad | |
2023 | To be determined | ||||||||
Total | 3 Titles | 68 | 33 | 24 | 11 | 120 | 62 | — |
West Asian Games record | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Result | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | |
1997 to 2002 | Did not enter | |||||||
2005 | Gold medalists | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 3 | |
Total | 1 Title | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 3 |
Pan Arab Games record | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Result | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Squad | |
1953 | Did not enter | ||||||||
1957 | Group stage | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 8 | Squad | |
1961 | Did not enter | ||||||||
1965 | Group stage | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 2 | Squad | |
1976 | Did not enter | ||||||||
1985 | Gold medalists | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | Squad | |
1997 | Did not enter | ||||||||
1999 | Silver medalists | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 17 | 9 | Squad | |
2007 | Did not enter | ||||||||
2011 | Group stage | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | Squad | |
Total | 1 Title | 20 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 39 | 23 | — |
Minor tournaments
Head-to-head record
The following table shows Iraq's all-time international record, correct as of 29 March 2022 (vs. Syria).
Team | Confederation | First | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Afghanistan | AFC | 1975 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | +6 |
Algeria | CAF | 1973 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 3 | +6 |
Argentina | CONMEBOL | 2018 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | −4 |
Australia | AFC | 1973 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 8 | 14 | −6 |
Azerbaijan | UEFA | 2009 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 |
Bahrain | AFC | 1966 | 32 | 13 | 14 | 5 | 46 | 26 | +20 |
Belgium | UEFA | 1986 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 |
Bolivia | CONMEBOL | 2018 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Botswana | CAF | 2012 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Brazil | CONMEBOL | 2012 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | −6 |
Cambodia | AFC | 2019 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | +7 |
Chile | CONMEBOL | 2013 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | −6 |
China | AFC | 1974 | 17 | 9 | 2 | 6 | 20 | 18 | +2 |
Chinese Taipei | AFC | 2015 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | +6 |
Cyprus | UEFA | 2005 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 |
DR Congo | CAF | 2015 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 |
Egypt | CAF | 1972 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 7 | −6 |
Estonia | UEFA | 1999 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Ethiopia | CAF | 1992 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | +13 |
Finland | UEFA | 1979 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 |
Guinea | CAF | 1989 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 |
Hong Kong | AFC | 2019 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 |
India | AFC | 1974 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 2 | +9 |
Indonesia | AFC | 1973 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 3 | +14 |
Iran | AFC | 1962 | 27 | 6 | 6 | 15 | 22 | 37 | −15 |
Japan | AFC | 1978 | 13 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 19 | −9 |
Jordan | AFC | 1964 | 45 | 25 | 11 | 9 | 66 | 41 | +25 |
Kazakhstan | UEFA | 1997 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 7 | −3 |
Kenya | CAF | 2003 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +2 |
Kyrgyzstan | AFC | 1999 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | +8 |
Kuwait | AFC | 1964 | 36 | 16 | 10 | 10 | 53 | 43 | +10 |
Liberia | CAF | 2013 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 |
Lebanon | AFC | 1959 | 19 | 10 | 8 | 1 | 26 | 10 | +16 |
Libya | CAF | 1964 | 11 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 17 | 6 | +11 |
Macau | AFC | 2001 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | +13 |
Malaysia | AFC | 1974 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 3 | +6 |
Mauritania | CAF | 1985 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 |
Mexico | CONCACAF | 1986 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 |
Moldova | UEFA | 1992 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 |
Morocco | CAF | 1966 | 7 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 3 | +3 |
Myanmar | AFC | 2003 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | +7 |
North Korea | AFC | 1974 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 6 | +3 |
Nepal | AFC | 1982 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 5 | +17 |
New Zealand | OFC | 1973 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | +6 |
Oman | AFC | 1976 | 26 | 12 | 8 | 6 | 45 | 22 | +23 |
Pakistan | AFC | 1969 | 9 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 40 | 6 | +34 |
Paraguay | CONMEBOL | 1986 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 |
Palestine | AFC | 2002 | 16 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 37 | 6 | +31 |
Peru | CONMEBOL | 2014 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | −2 |
Poland | UEFA | 1970 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 7 | −4 |
Qatar | AFC | 1976 | 31 | 14 | 9 | 8 | 39 | 30 | +9 |
Romania | UEFA | 1970 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Russia | UEFA | 1969 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | –2 |
Saudi Arabia | AFC | 1976 | 35 | 16 | 9 | 10 | 53 | 31 | +22 |
Sierra Leone | CAF | 2012 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 |
Singapore | AFC | 1978 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 20 | 5 | +15 |
South Africa | CAF | 2009 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
South Korea | AFC | 1972 | 20 | 1 | 11 | 8 | 13 | 26 | −13 |
Spain | UEFA | 2009 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 |
Sudan | CAF | 2012 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
Syria | AFC | 1966 | 33 | 17 | 11 | 5 | 46 | 25 | +20 |
Tajikistan | AFC | 1999 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 |
Thailand | AFC | 1972 | 17 | 10 | 5 | 2 | 45 | 18 | +27 |
Trinidad and Tobago | CONCACAF | 1972 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | −2 |
Tunisia | CAF | 1957 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 10 | −6 |
Turkey | UEFA | 1969 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | –1 |
Turkmenistan | AFC | 1999 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | +4 |
Uganda | CAF | 1977 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | +1 |
United Arab Emirates | AFC | 1973 | 30 | 11 | 12 | 7 | 43 | 29 | +14 |
Uzbekistan | AFC | 1997 | 11 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 10 | −2 |
Vietnam | AFC | 2007 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 3 | +4 |
Yemen | AFC | 1993 | 11 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 26 | 4 | +22 |
Zambia | CAF | 2022 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 |
Total | 695 | 326 | 193 | 175 | 1109 | 645 | +454 |
FIFA Rankings
Last update was on 18 February 2021
Source:[58]
Best Ranking Worst Ranking Best Mover Worst Mover
Iraq's FIFA World Ranking | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rank | Year | Games Played |
Best | Worst | ||||
Rank | Move | Rank | Move | |||||
69 | 2020 | 2 | 69 | 1 | 70 | 0 | ||
70 | 2019 | 22 | 70 | 8 | 80 | 2 | ||
88 | 2018 | 12 | 82 | 2 | 91 | 5 | ||
79 | 2017 | 14 | 79 | 17 | 122 | 3 | ||
119 | 2016 | 12 | 87 | 15 | 128 | 15 | ||
89 | 2015 | 16 | 82 | 20 | 114 | 11 | ||
103 | 2014 | 11 | 81 | 15 | 115 | 23 | ||
110 | 2013 | 19 | 89 | 3 | 110 | 6 | ||
92 | 2012 | 20 | 70 | 6 | 97 | 17 | ||
78 | 2011 | 20 | 78 | 16 | 109 | 13 | ||
100 | 2010 | 15 | 80 | 13 | 107 | 24 | ||
88 | 2009 | 13 | 77 | 9 | 100 | 17 | ||
72 | 2008 | 12 | 58 | 15 | 77 | 18 | ||
68 | 2007 | 20 | 64 | 16 | 84 | 5 | ||
83 | 2006 | 14 | 52 | 5 | 92 | 36 | ||
54 | 2005 | 10 | 44 | 20 | 74 | 11 | ||
44 | 2004 | 21 | 39 | 3 | 45 | 6 | ||
43 | 2003 | 12 | 43 | 23 | 75 | 13 | ||
53 | 2002 | 10 | 50 | 9 | 72 | 3 | ||
72 | 2001 | 18 | 69 | 16 | 85 | 4 | ||
79 | 2000 | 11 | 78 | 9 | 89 | 8 | ||
78 | 1999 | 13 | 78 | 16 | 108 | 5 | ||
94 | 1998 | 1 | 70 | 7 | 101 | 13 | ||
68 | 1997 | 9 | 68 | 13 | 98 | 2 | ||
98 | 1996 | 7 | 98 | 31 | 139 | 15 | ||
110 | 1995 | 3 | 76 | 26 | 110 | 28 | ||
88 | 1994 | 0 | 61 | 4 | 88 | 8 | ||
65 | 1993 | 15 | 57 | 25 | 66 | 5 |
Honours
Titles
Continental competitions
- AFC Asian Cup
- Champions: 2007
- Asian Games
- Gold medal: 1982
Regional competitions
- WAFF Championship
- Champions: 2002
- Arab Cup
- Champions: 1964, 1966, 1985, 1988
- Arabian Gulf Cup
- Champions: 1979, 1984, 1988
- West Asian Games
- Gold medal: 2005
- Pan Arab Games
- Gold medal: 1985
Awards
- AFC National Team of the Year: 2003, 2007
- World Soccer Team of the Year: 2007
See also
- Iraq national under-23 football team
- Iraq national under-20 football team
- Iraq national under-17 football team
References
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External links
- Official website
- Official Iraq national football team on FIFA.com