Ali Al-Hamadi

Iraq at the 2026 World Cup: 40 Years, Wars and a New Generation

June 2, 2026 by María Castellano

Iraq return to the World Cup after 40 years. Al-Hamadi, Iqbal and a diaspora generation carry the hopes of a nation shaped by war and sanctions.

The story so far. The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs 11 June to 19 July across the USA,…

By James Whitmore

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