Mustafa Moayed, the Diyala defender, announced that he received an official invitation from the Iraqi national team coach Graham Arnold to participate in the playoff matches of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Moayed (28 years old) is considered one of the top defenders in the Iraqi Premier League, having delivered consistent and outstanding performances, making him a key player in coach Yamen Al-Zulfani's lineup.

Moayed said: "After the Diyala vs. Najaf match in the Iraqi Premier League, two members of the club's management spoke to me and informed me that coach Graham Arnold expressed admiration for my performances and confirmed to them that I would be in his consideration and that he would include me in the preliminary list."

He added: "A few days after the Najaf match, the management informed me that the club received an official email regarding my inclusion in the Iraqi national team for the playoff matches qualifying for the World Cup, and this is indeed a source of pride, as every player in the Iraqi Premier League aims to represent the Iraqi national team."

He continued: "Whether I am included in Iraq's list for the World Cup qualifiers or not, I am a supporter and fan of the Iraqi national team and I hope they can achieve the dream of the Iraqi fans in qualifying for the World Cup for the second time after the only achievement in the 1986 World Cup."