Iraq National Football Team

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Here's what has been going on in Iraqi football lately...

Iraq to play Qatar after being held by Iran

Iraq were held to a goalless draw by Iran in their final Group D game at the Asian Cup, setting up a round of 16 tie with Qatar on Tuesday.

Iran, whose newspapers and players had claimed they wanted to take revenge on Iraq for eliminating them from the 2015 Asian Cup, failed to muster up a single shot on target against the 2007 champions, despite their optimism and motivation for the game.

Iraq had the best chance of the match, with young striker Alaa Abbas seeing his excellent header tipped over the bar. With Qatar beating Saudi Arabia 2-0, it means the Lions of Mespotamia will lock horns with the maroons in the next round of the cup.

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Katanec names final 23-man Asian Cup squad

Iraq manager Srečko Katanec has announced the final 23-man squad for the Asian Cup. Midfielders Saad Abdul-Amir and Brwa Nouri have both been overlooked, with the latter announcing his retirement from international football after the squad was revealed. Experienced striker Mohanad Abdul-Raheem has also been omitted in favour of Al-Zawraa teammate Alaa Abbas who has one Iraq cap to his name.

GK: Jalal Hassan, Mohammed Gassid, Mohammed Hameed
DF: Waleed Salem, Alaa Mhawi, Ahmed Ibrahim, Ali Faez, Rebin Sulaka, Saad Natiq, Ali Adnan, Frans Dhia Putros
MF: Humam Tariq, Ahmed Yasin, Safaa Hadi, Bashar Rasan, Osama Rashid, Amjad Attwan, Hussein Ali, Ali Husni
FW: Mohanad Ali, Mohammed Dawood, Ayman Hussein, Alaa Abbas

Justin Meram to miss Asian Cup through injury

Iraq forward Justin Meram has announced that he will not be able to compete at the upcoming Asian Cup after suffering a long-term injury. The MLS star joins defender Mustafa Nadhim and full-back Dhurgham Ismail on the Lions of Mesopotamia's injury list and his absence will be a big blow to their chances of success in January.

Iraqi clubs return to Asia's premier competition

Al-Zawraa are set to become the first Iraqi club to compete in the group stage of the AFC Champions League since 2008 as the AFC announced that Iraq's two continental representatives have passed the competition's licensing criteria. AFC Cup holders Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya can also reach the group stage if they overcome Pakhtakor and Al-Nasr in the qualifying rounds.