Kevin Yakoub: We Play as One Family and This is Our Goal in the World Cup

Kevin Yakoub, the Aarhus Danish player, joined the Iraqi national team's camp in Girona, Spain, early Monday and immediately participated in his first training session with the team, affirming his full readiness after recovering from an injury that kept him off the field for a period.

The player emphasized that his current presence comes at an important time, as the Lions of Mesopotamia enter the decisive phase before competing in the 2026 World Cup finals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, through a camp that includes friendly matches against Andorra and Spain.

Kevin Yakoub spoke about the atmosphere within the team delegation, indicating that the relationship between the players goes beyond the framework of camaraderie on the field. He said in statements published by the Iraqi Federation: 'We are like one family in this team, and this gives us additional strength. Everyone works with one goal, which is to represent Iraq in a manner befitting it.'

Away from merely talking about presence, Yakoub revealed that the real goal for the team in the World Cup goes beyond the idea of honorary participation. He explained that the players understand the magnitude of the responsibility, and that the Iraqi audience is waiting for an honorable image befitting the name of Iraqi football.

He added that returning to the World Cup represents a historic opportunity, and that everyone in the camp feels they carry the trust of an entire country, which raises the ceiling of ambitions even if the journey is tough.

On a personal level, Yakoub confirmed that he has overcome the injury he suffered from last season and that he feels a great improvement both physically and mentally. He pointed out that training with the team in Girona helped him quickly adapt to the atmosphere, and he is ready to contribute whenever given the chance.