Iraq striker Aymen Hussein scores first World Cup goal in 40 years

Iraq striker Aymen Hussein scored his country's second-ever World Cup goal in a 4-1 loss to Norway, ending a 40-year wait.

A goal despite defeat Even though Iraq fell 4-1 to Norway on their World Cup debut, striker Aymen Hussein etched his name into tournament history. The 39th-minute header from Hussein canceled out Erling Haaland’s opening goal, giving Iraqi fans a moment to celebrate their team’s return to football’s biggest stage after four decades. Though the goal later became a consolation and was followed by an own goal, it still marked only the second World Cup finals goal ever for Iraq. Iraq’s head coach Graham Arnold praised Hussein’s impact, stating, "He's that type of player who is very difficult to control in the box and I'm very happy and proud of him." ## A childhood of hardship and football Aymen Hussein grew up in Iraq during a time when football brought fleeting moments of joy amid widespread turmoil. The national team’s unexpected triumph in the 2007 Asian Cup sparked nationwide celebrations, even as players prepared in Jordan due to severe security threats that claimed thousands of lives annually. Their semifinal victory over South Korea was overshadowed by a deadly suicide bombing in Baghdad that targeted jubilant supporters. At just 12 years old in 2008, Hussein faced immense personal tragedy when his father, a soldier in the Iraqi army, was shot and killed by al-Qaeda members while purchasing materials for their family home. ## Losses that shaped resilience Further sorrow struck Hussein’s family years later when his older brother disappeared during a period of unrest, never to be seen again. Despite wanting to abandon football to support his family, Hussein’s mother encouraged him to pursue his dream. That perseverance has now led him to guide Iraq to their first World Cup appearance since 1986. The road to the tournament has been anything but straightforward for the 30-year-old striker. ## Obstacles before World Cup glory Just as Iraq prepared for the World Cup, Hussein faced an unexpected hurdle when he was held for roughly seven hours of questioning at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport upon arrival in the United States earlier this month. He was eventually granted entry, unlike Iraq’s team photographer Talal Salah. When Hussein rose to powerfully head past Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland, it was a moment of immense pride for the player and his nation. ## Consistent scorer delivers for Iraq Aymen Hussein’s influence against Norway would not have surprised those familiar with his career trajectory. Since 2023, he has been a reliable force for the Lions of Mesopotamia, showcasing dominance in the air and precision finishing inside the penalty area. During Iraq’s historic World Cup qualification campaign, Hussein stood out as the team’s top performer, netting 12 goals—more than twice as many as any teammate—as they secured a spot via inter-confederation playoffs. His most crucial contribution came when he scored the decisive goal in a 2-1 win over Bolivia in Guadalupe in March, which clinched their World Cup berth. ## Proving doubters wrong Heading into the tournament, questions arose about Hussein’s form after a season where he received limited playing time at his club, Al-Karma. He silenced critics with a determined performance against one of the tournament’s most dynamic teams, seizing his opportunity amid challenging circumstances. Iraq’s head coach Graham Arnold commended Hussein’s effort, remarking, "He has had quite a few injuries during the season and for him to get through 90 minutes with that energy and scoring a goal was fantastic." If Hussein maintains this level of play, Iraq may harbor hopes of advancing beyond a tough Group I that also features 2022 finalists France and Senegal.