Intensive Preparatory Program for Iraq Before World Cup Participation

The Iraqi national team has entered the countdown phase for its participation in the 2026 World Cup, after the Iraqi Football Association finalized the features of the preparatory program that the "Lions of Mesopotamia" will undergo in the coming weeks in Europe and the United States.

The most notable surprise in this file was the cancellation of the anticipated match against Ivory Coast, and instead agreeing on a friendly match with Venezuela, which will be the final stop before the tournament begins.

The Iraqi Federation had reached a preliminary agreement to face Ivory Coast in America, but negotiations were not officially completed. Instead, an agreement was made with the Venezuelan Federation to hold a friendly match in Chicago on June 8. This match will be the last in the series of preparatory matches before heading to the tournament camp.

The first gathering of the team will start in the city of Girona, Spain, on May 22, with the participation of local league players and some players from regional leagues.

The delegation will be complete on May 25 with the joining of professionals, and the team will play its first friendly match against Andorra on May 29 in Girona, in an experience aimed at giving coach Graham Arnold the opportunity to assess the readiness of the elements.

After facing Andorra, the Iraqi delegation will move to La Coruña on June 2, where it will face the Spanish team on June 4 in the strongest preparatory stop. Arnold views this match as a real test to measure the team's readiness before entering the World Cup atmosphere.

Immediately after the Spain match, the Iraqi mission will depart to Chicago to start a new camp that includes facing Venezuela on June 8. This match will be the final rehearsal before closing the friendly matches file.

On June 11, the team will settle in its camp in West Virginia, where it will continue its intensive training in preparation for the opening match against Norway on June 17 in Group Nine, which also includes France and Senegal.

Regarding the roster, Arnold is expected to announce the initial squad for the tournament in the next few days, with the final list of 26 players to be submitted to FIFA on June 1.

With this intensive schedule, the federation and the technical staff aim to provide the players with the maximum level of technical and physical readiness, to ensure an honorable appearance for Iraqi football in its first World Cup participation since 1986.