Al-Hamadi and Iqbal included in Iraq's 2026 FIFA World Cup squad

Ipswich striker Ali Al-Hamadi and Utrecht midfielder Zidane Iqbal are named in Iraq's 2026 World Cup team.

Key squad inclusions Coach Graham Arnold has selected Ipswich forward Ali Al-Hamadi and Utrecht midfielder Zidane Iqbal for Iraq's 2026 World Cup campaign. The squad excluded Dundee United defender Dario Naamo, who recently switched his international allegiance from Finland and debuted for Iraq in a 1-0 friendly win over Andorra on Friday. Ahmed Qasem also made his debut on Friday after switching from Sweden and is included in Arnold's 26-man squad. ## Al-Hamadi's journey to Iraq squad Al-Hamadi's family left Iraq when he was a baby and settled in Liverpool, where he was signed by Tranmere before making his EFL debut with Wycombe in 2022. The 24-year-old became the first Iraqi player to appear in the Premier League with Ipswich in 2024 and spent the recently completed season on loan with Luton in League One. Al-Hamadi scored alongside experienced forward Aymen Hussein as Iraq defeated Bolivia 2-1 in the World Cup play-offs, securing qualification for the first time in 40 years. ## Iqbal's career highlights Manchester-born midfielder Zidane Iqbal, 23, progressed through Manchester United's academy and made one Champions League appearance before joining Utrecht in 2023, appearing 18 times last season. He was an unused substitute during Iraq's World Cup play-off victory over Bolivia. Iraq's group-stage opponents include Norway, France, and Senegal in matches played in Boston, Philadelphia, and Toronto respectively. ## Team captain and goalkeeping choices Goalkeeper Jalal Hassan, Iraq's captain and most experienced player with 100 caps, has been named in the squad alongside Kamil Saadi. Arnold has selected three goalkeepers to cover potential injuries during the tournament. Iraq secured their World Cup spot by beating Bolivia 2-1 in the play-offs after goals from Al-Hamadi and Hussein. ## Full Iraq squad breakdown Goalkeepers: Fahad Talib (Al-Talaba), Jalal Hassan (Al-Zawraa), Ahmed Basil (Al-Shorta). Defenders: Hussein Ali (Pogon Szczecin), Manaf Younis, Ahmed Yahya, Mustafa Saadoon (Al-Shorta), Zaid Tahseen (Pakhtakor), Rebin Sulaka (Port), Akam Hashim (Al-Zawraa), Merchas Doski (Viktoria Plzen), Zaid Ismail (Al-Talaba), Frans Putros (Persib). Midfielders: Amir Al-Ammari (Cracovia), Kevin Yakob (Aarhus GF), Zidane Iqbal (Utrecht), Aimar Sher (Sarpsborg), Ibrahim Bayesh (Al-Dhafra), Ahmed Qasem (Nashville SC), Youssef Amyn (AEK Larnaca), Marko Farji (Venezia). Forwards: Ali Jassim (Al-Najma), Ali Al-Hamadi (Ipswich), Ali Yousef (Al-Talaba), Aymen Hussein (Al-Karma), Mohanad Ali (Dibba).