Iraq 2026 FIFA World Cup – Schedule, Results & Standings
🦁 LIONS OF MESOPOTAMIA 2026 FIFA World Cup™

Iraq World Cup 2026

Group I
3 Group Matches
Jun 16 – Jun 26, 2026
🇺🇸 Boston · Philadelphia & 🇨🇦 Toronto
ٱللَّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ
🦁

Lions of Mesopotamia — Iraq End a 40-Year World Cup Absence in Dramatic Fashion

Iraq return to the World Cup for the first time since Mexico 1986 — ending a 40-year absence — after a dramatic intercontinental playoff victory over Bolivia, sealed by goals from Ali Al-Hamadi and Aymen Hussein. The qualification sparked national celebrations across Baghdad, Basra, and Erbil. Drawn into Group I with France, Senegal, and Norway, Iraq play in Boston, Philadelphia, and Toronto. Their opener against Norway in Foxborough is their most winnable fixture and a chance to announce their return to the world stage.

GROUP STAGE FIXTURES

Group I
🇮🇶
Iraq
IRQ
Matchday 1
VS
Upcoming
🇳🇴
Norway
NOR
June 16, 2026  ·  Tuesday
6:00 PM ET (Fox)
Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
GROUP I
🇫🇷
France
FRA
Matchday 2
VS
Upcoming
🇮🇶
Iraq
IRQ
June 22, 2026  ·  Monday
5:00 PM ET (Fox)
Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
GROUP I
🇸🇳
Senegal
SEN
Matchday 3
VS
Upcoming
🇮🇶
Iraq
IRQ
June 26, 2026  ·  Friday
3:00 PM ET (FS1)
BMO Field, Toronto, Canada
GROUP I

GROUP I STANDINGS

Pre-Tournament
#TeamPWDL GFGAGDPts
1
🇫🇷France
 0000000
0
2
🇸🇳Senegal
 0000000
0
3
🇳🇴Norway
 0000000
0
4
🇮🇶Iraq TBD
 0000000
0

🔵 Top 2 teams qualify automatically to Round of 32. The 8 best third-placed teams across all groups also advance. Standings will update after each matchday.

POTENTIAL KNOCKOUT PATH

If Iraq Qualify
Round of 32
vs Group E
runner-up
If Iraq finish 2nd in Group I
Round of 16
TBD
Based on R32 results
Best 3rd Place
Top 8 third-placed
teams also advance
Alternative route to R32

GROUP I INFO

About Group I

Iraq return to the World Cup for the first time since Mexico 1986 — a staggering 40-year absence — after one of the most emotional qualification stories of the entire tournament. They secured their place via an intercontinental playoff, beating Bolivia 2–1 with goals from Ali Al-Hamadi in the 34th minute and Aymen Hussein in the 71st, sparking national celebrations and two government-declared public holidays across Iraq. Drawn into Group I with France, Senegal, and Norway, Iraq play at three distinct venues: their opener against Norway at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, a daunting Matchday 2 clash against France at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, and their group finale against Senegal at BMO Field in Toronto. Al-Hamadi — the tournament’s breakout qualifier — leads the attack alongside creative midfielder Amjed Al-Attar and experienced goalkeeper Jalal Hassan under coach Jesús Casas. The opener against Norway represents Iraq’s golden chance to secure a historic point — or even three — and signal that the Lions of Mesopotamia are back.