Iraq Turns the Tables in Group Nine of the World Cup

The Iraqi national team succeeded in overturning all previous calculations among the public and sports circles in Iraq, after the strong performance they presented against Spain in the friendly match in La Coruña, which ended in a 1-1 draw. A confident appearance on the Riazor Stadium field during the final preparations for the 2026 World Cup hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico restored the team's prestige and gave everyone a new dose of optimism.

Experts and analysts in Iraqi football affairs see that this result alone is enough to raise the level of confidence within the white camp. Entering the World Cup with high spirits makes a big difference, even if Group Nine includes giants like France, Norway, and Senegal, and the goal is clear: to achieve a positive result worthy of the name of Iraq.

Former Iraqi star Bassam Raouf praised the performance against the Matadors and considered it a turning point in the team's character. He told win: "Iraq played a great match against Spain and appeared completely different from their form in the World Cup qualifiers. I see it as the most prominent and strongest match the Lions of Mesopotamia have played in their history, especially since it came against a team that has been crowned world champions before and is considered among the strong contenders for the upcoming edition."

Raouf acknowledged that Spain did not participate with their full lineup, but he emphasized that its value is not diminished: "It remains a great team that presents modern, fast, and highly organized football. The match was held in Spain in front of their fans, yet Iraq was physically and mentally ready in an impressive manner. The team entered the match with high enthusiasm to face the big opponents, and the difficulty of the test itself will give the players additional confidence before the World Cup."

The most notable improvement Raouf observed was in organization and cohesion: "The biggest improvement in Iraq was on the tactical level and the connection between the players. The team now knows how to transition from defense to attack and from attack to defense smoothly. Building attacks has become more gradual, and closing spaces defensively has become more stringent."

Left-back Mirhas Doski received the lion's share of praise: "The left side was the source of our strength and superiority despite the Spaniards' capabilities. Mirhas played an exceptional match, limiting the danger of the Spanish wings and closing spaces expertly, while also participating effectively in midfield."

Raouf did not overlook the role of the other elements: "Marko Faraj and the rest of the professionals and young faces left a clear mark. The lineup appeared cohesive and ready from all aspects, contrary to all predictions that expected a heavy loss against Spain."

The most important message Raouf conveyed is that Iraq's image has now changed among competitors: "After this performance, the calculations will differ. France, Norway, and Senegal will consider Iraq in a different way. The strength of the Lions of Mesopotamia lies in their cohesion and team spirit, and this will become more apparent with time and gradually, especially with the increasing mutual trust between coach Graham Arnold and the players. Therefore, we are confident that Iraq is capable of causing a surprise in Group Nine despite its difficulty."

The national team's delegation arrived in Chicago early Saturday to begin the final preparation phase. The last friendly match will be against Venezuela early Wednesday, which is the final rehearsal before the World Cup whistle. Iraq will officially start their journey on June 17 against Norway.

The draw with Spain did not only give Iraq a point, but it also gave them a new identity: an organized, brave team that does not fear the big names. With the delegation's arrival in America, the most important chapter in the story of the Lions of Mesopotamia at the World Cup begins, and the confidence that Arnold has instilled is now their primary weapon.