Iraq will compete at the FIFA World Cup for the first time in four decades with a defensive roster that spans barefoot training grounds in Diwaniya to professional stints across Europe. The Lions of Mesopotamia secured their place at the tournament following a decisive qualifying victory over Bolivia in Monterrey, where an unfamiliar centre-back partnership proved pivotal.
Goalkeeping Depth from Labourer to Late Call-Up
Between the posts, 35-year-old captain Jalal Hassan provides the anchor. The veteran recently surpassed 100 international appearances, becoming only the third Iraqi goalkeeper to reach the milestone. Hassan’s path to the top included working as a labourer and training barefoot while wearing work clothes before his talent was spotted at age 19. He now holds the joint record for World Cup qualifying appearances by an Iraqi keeper with 23 matches.
Cover comes from an eclectic group including Basil of Al-Shorta, who received a surprise summons at 2am in November 2024 and made his qualifying debut against Jordan within days. The keeper left his bedridden father, a former international, recovering from surgery to answer the call, and subsequently kept a clean sheet in the 0-0 draw.
Fahad Talib offers further experience after battling back from a serious knee injury suffered in 2024. The 29-year-old previously featured in eight of Iraq’s ten qualifying matches for the 2022 World Cup and has now added to his 20 caps following his return to fitness with Al-Talaba.
The future is represented by 21-year-old Kumel Al-Rekabe. Born in Switzerland and standing 1.93m tall, the Erbil keeper has already sampled football in Spain, Sweden and his homeland. Al-Rekabe recalled that his late mentor “always believed in me” and saw potential that others overlooked during his early days in the Swiss fifth tier.
From Lower Divisions to World Cup Stage
At the heart of defence, Zaid Tahseen emerged as a standout performer during the decisive qualifier against Bolivia, despite not featuring in the squad for Iraq’s opening qualifying match. The 25-year-old formed a crucial partnership with Akam Hashem, who began his career at Kurdish lower-division side Peshmerga alongside his brother before moving to Erbil and subsequently Baghdad clubs Al-Shorta and Al-Zawraa.
Following the final whistle in Monterrey, Hashem told his defensive colleague that they would become “legends of Iraq” for securing the nation’s first World Cup berth since 1986. The comment reflected the significance of a qualification achieved through a unit combining hardened veterans and players discovered in regional obscurity.
Group Stage Context
Iraq’s defensive resilience will face immediate examination at the tournament, where they are scheduled to meet France among their group opponents. The squad’s blend of Hassan’s century of experience, Basil’s emergency-readiness, and the burgeoning partnership between Hashem and Tahseen offers varied options as the Lions of Mesopotamia prepare to end their 40-year World Cup exile.