Australian coach Graham Arnold, manager of the Iraq national team, announced on Tuesday an expanded squad of 34 players to take part in a training camp in Spain, as part of preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals in football.
The new list includes three overseas‑based players called up for the first time to the “Lions of the Two Rivers”: Dario Namou of Scottish club Dundee United, Youssef Al‑Nasrawi of Austrian side SV Ried, and Ahmed Qasim of American club Nashville, a move that reflects the coaching staff’s intention to widen selection options and harness Iraqi talent abroad.
At the same time, the squad sees the return of goalkeeper Jalal Al‑Hassan, along with defenders Ahmed Al‑Yasiri and Mustafa Al‑Saadoun, following their recovery from injury and absence in the March global playoff against Bolivia, which Iraq won 2–1.
The Iraqi national team previously secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup finals for only the second time in its history, after their first appearance at the 1986 Mexico World Cup, where they played three matches against Paraguay, Belgium, and Mexico without winning.
During the Spain camp, the “Lions of the Two Rivers” will play two friendly matches against Andorra and Spain in the cities of Girona and La Coruña, before travelling to Chicago in the United States to continue preparations, which include an additional friendly against Venezuela.
The World Cup draw placed Iraq in Group 9 alongside France, Senegal, and Norway. Iraq will open their campaign against Norway, then face France, and wrap up the group stage against Senegal.
