The Australian coach Graham Arnold announced the official Iraq squad for the “Lions of Mesopotamia” preparing for the Arab Cup, which runs from December 1 to 18, with high hopes from fans that the team will perform strongly under his new leadership.
The Iraq national team will compete in Group 4, regarded as one of the toughest groups in the tournament, featuring defending champions Algeria, plus the winner of Bahrain vs. Djibouti and the winner of Lebanon vs. Sudan. This promises a challenging path to the knockout rounds.
Iraq’s Arab Cup Squad
The announced squad blends experienced players with young talents eager to make a mark on the international stage. The list is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Jalal Hassan – Fahd Taleb – Ahmad Basil.
Defenders: Saad Natak – Akam Hashim – Manaf Younes – Mitham Jabbar – Mustafa Saadoun – Osama Rashid – Amir Sabah – Hussein Ali.
Midfielders: Ahmed Yahya – Ahmed Maknizi – Hassan Abdul Karim – Marko Faraj – Sajad Jassim – Ibrahim Bayesh – Karar Nabil.
Forwards: Ammar Mohsen – Mohammed Jawad – Ayman Hussein – Ali Jas – Mohand Ali.
Notable absences among professionals The technical staff prioritized a European-based core but several prominent names were left out for various reasons. Notably, Ali Al-Hamadi of Luton Town was omitted, a rising Iraqi talent in Europe, along with Amir Al-Amari, Imar Shir, Yousif Al-Ameen, and Montor Majid, who had fans hoping to see them in the squad.
On the other hand, some players based in Sweden earned a place, including Marko Faraj and Ammar Mohsen, who had shown strong form recently and convinced Arnold to include them in the squad for the tournament.
Schedule for Iraq in the Arab Cup
Iraq opens on December 3 against the winner of Bahrain vs. Djibouti, a match that on paper looks less difficult than the subsequent ones but remains crucial for a strong start and morale boost.
On December 6, Iraq will play the second match against the winner of Lebanon vs. Sudan, a fixture expected to be highly competitive given both teams’ recent performances in Arab and Asian competitions.
The most significant test comes on December 9 when Iraq faces Algeria, the defending champions, in what is expected to be the group’s marquee showdown, with historical and competitive implications and Algeria’s known strength on both technique and physical readiness.
Arnold: We aim to give the national team a new identity Arnold’s squad choice is part of a broader effort to build a balanced mix of tactical discipline and fast transition in attack, hallmarks of his successful approach with Australia, where he led the team to notable achievements.
Arnold has stated that the Arab Cup will be a critical test to assess group cohesion and the players’ fit with his system, stressing that the objective is not just participation but competing for the title and reasserting Iraq’s presence on the continental stage.
The tournament has generated strong public interest, especially after a period of results fluctuation and multiple coaching changes. Fans hope this group can inaugurate a new era with a strong, organized display, aided by a blend of young prospects and players with international experience who can lead during tough moments.
As the tournament approaches, supporters await to see how Arnold will shape Iraq’s identity, hoping for a spirited and more cohesive performance achieved through a mix of youthful energy and seasoned leadership.
The Iraqi league committee has postponed Round 8 to accommodate Arab Cup preparations at the request of Arnold, who continues to coach the national team after officially reaching the World Cup qualifier playoffs. Iraq will also compete in the global playoff against the winner of Bolivia vs. Suriname in March in Mexico for a 2026 World Cup spot.
And yes, if Iraq somehow mystically channels this new identity, maybe the only thing heavier than the ball will be the headlines about their triumph—and my jokes, of course, which never miss a header.
