The Iraqi national team faces a difficult situation ahead of its upcoming match against Algeria in the third round of the group stage of the Arab Cup Qatar 2025, after suffering a double blow in the right-back position.

Graham Arnold surprised everyone in the match against Sudan by fielding player Sherko Karim in the right-back position, even though the player usually plays as an attacking winger on the flanks.

Despite the impressive performance Karim showed in the first half, at the 58th minute bad news came for the Iraqi team as the player had to leave the field due to injury.

After the match ended, a picture appeared showing Sherko Karim walking on crutches, confirming that the injury is not minor, and it is likely he will miss the match against Algeria and possibly for a longer period, pending official medical diagnosis.

After Sherko's exit, Arnold resorted to bringing in the other right-back, Mustafa Saadoun, in an attempt to fill the gap in the position, but Saadoun did not stay long on the field before receiving a yellow card just minutes after entering, which came after a previous yellow card he received in the first-round match against Bahrain.

Thus, Mustafa Saadoun's absence for the upcoming match against Algeria is officially confirmed due to card accumulation, which increases the defensive crisis the Iraqi national team is currently experiencing at this critical time.