Iraq National Football Team

Latest News

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

Iraq beat Palestine 3-0 in friendly match

Basim Qasim took charge of what will almost certainly be his last match as Iraq boss, with the Lions earning a 3-0 win away to Palestine in a friendly. Raad Fanar bagged his first international goal with new Al Shorta signings Mustafa Nadhim and Mohammed Shokan adding two more either side of the break.

Click here to see highlights of the game.

Iraq begin negotiations with Ante Čačić

The Iraq Football Association has begun negotiations with former Croatia coach Ante Čačić over the vacant Iraq managerial post. The news comes after former England manager Sven-Göran Eriksson rejected an offer to coach the Lions of Mesopotamia.

Iraq withdraw from 2018 Asian Games

Iraq's football team have withdrawn from the upcoming Asian Games due to concerns over players of their squad using false ages. Recently, a number of Iraqi youth players were detained at an airport in Baghdad for using forged documents, causing the Iraq FA to ban them from representing Iraq for life.

Sven-Göran Eriksson rejects offer to manage Iraq

Former England boss Sven-Göran Eriksson has turned down the opportunity to manage Iraq ahead of the 2019 Asian Cup according to Sky Sports News. The Swede, who tried to sign Iraq legend Nashat Akram while at Manchester City back in 2007, met with Iraq FA officials but rejected their final offer, and now looks likely to become head coach of Cameroon.

Iraq drawn with rivals Iran in Asian Cup

Iraq will face Iran, Vietnam and Yemen in the group stage of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. The 2007 champions will need to either finish as group winners, group runners-up or one of the four best third-placed teams from the six groups in order to qualify for the Round of 16.

FIFA lifts Iraqi stadium ban for three cities

The FIFA Council decided to lift the ban on Iraq hosting competitive matches in the cities of Basra, Karbala and Erbil and in the meantime will monitor the situation in Baghdad. This means Iraq can now host World Cup qualifiers at home while their clubs can host AFC Cup and Arab Club Champions Cup games.