Ayman Hussein: Qualifying for the World Cup was a dream and we will play with a spirit that knows no impossibility

The star of the Iraqi national team, Ayman Hussein, expressed his overwhelming happiness after leading the Lions of Mesopotamia to the 2026 World Cup finals, ending the absence curse that has plagued Iraqi football since 1986.

In his interview with the official website of FIFA, Iraq's top scorer described the moment of qualification as indescribable, revealing the great joy inside the locker room after the decisive match, and confirming that the team is ready to face the top teams in the group, which includes France, Senegal, and Norway, drawing inspiration from previous Arab surprises in the World Cup.

Ayman Hussein etched his name in gold in the history of Iraqi football after scoring the winning goal against Bolivia in the global playoff, granting Iraq a 2-1 victory on April 1st, and bringing the Lions of Mesopotamia back to the World Cup after four decades of waiting.

The player said: "Qualifying for the 2026 World Cup is an achievement in itself. The group is tough, but nothing is impossible in football. What Iran did against Argentina in 2014, and what Saudi Arabia did against the same team in 2022, proves that surprises are possible at any time."

Hussein emphasized that the decisive factor for Iraq will be the fighting spirit on the field, more than anything else.

"When the team plays as one family, love and cooperation prevail, and everyone defends each other, then all difficulties vanish. Yes, we face heavyweight teams, but football is played 11 against 11, and no one guarantees the result before the whistle."

He added that the international experience possessed by Iraqi players gives the team additional confidence, noting that most players have played between 80 and 90 international matches, a number that provides balance against European stars.

The Iraqi striker did not hide his feelings, affirming that just being in the World Cup is enough for him.

"The joy I am experiencing now is indescribable. I told my teammates that if I qualified for the World Cup, I wouldn't mind retiring immediately, due to the passion for this historic achievement. We are excited to see the Iraqi flag waving among the flags of the world, and we will give everything we have to honor the name of the country."