Iraq

Iraq's football identity centres on technical midfield play and disciplined defensive organisation. Within the AFC confederation, they occupy a respected place in West Asian football, competing regularly in continental tournaments and qualifying campaigns. Their supporters expect a team that combines tactical solidity with creative passing movements—football that reflects both the technical traditions of the region and the pragmatism required to compete at the highest level.

Iraq's qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup marks a significant achievement for the nation's football programme. The journey through the AFC qualifying rounds represents years of development, investment in player pathways, and tactical consistency. Reaching this tournament underscores Iraq's growing competitive standing in Asian football and carries genuine weight for a nation rebuilding its sporting infrastructure and international presence.

Group I presents a stern examination. France brings the pedigree and experience of a multiple World Cup winner; Senegal, Africa's flagship team, combines athleticism with tactical intelligence; Norway, though a different calibre of opponent, remains a team built on technical solidity and set-piece discipline. Iraq enter as relative outsiders in this draw, but the group's composition offers them opportunities to showcase their football against varied styles and to compete for valuable points against sides that are not universally favoured to progress.