Iraq Opens File for Friendly Match Against Venezuela

The Iraqi national team has officially entered the atmosphere of preparation for the friendly match against Venezuela, the last experimental stop before the start of the 2026 World Cup. The match will be held at the 'Soldier Field' known as Toyota Stadium in Chicago, at four o'clock in the morning Baghdad and Mecca time.

Former national team analyst Ali Al-Nuaimi spoke to win about the importance of this match, confirming that it is the real test to measure the development of skill and strategic aspects of the Lions of Mesopotamia. He said: 'The friendly against Venezuela is the last stop to assess the team's readiness before the World Cup. We need to test the team without pressure, because mistakes are part of the game, most notably being penetrated from the defensive depth.'

Al-Nuaimi emphasized an important tactical point: 'The most important issue is not just possessing the ball, but the team's ability to reduce distances between lines when losing it. This discipline in closing spaces is what makes the difference against big teams in the World Cup.'

Al-Nuaimi praised what Iraq has recently presented tactically, describing the players' ability to move the ball from the back and build attacks with organization and smoothness as a remarkable development: 'Despite differences in possession and passing percentage against strong opponents, the Lions of Mesopotamia have shown an ability to circulate the ball and gradually transition towards the goal on more than one occasion.'

He concluded: 'The players have proven they are up to the responsibility. They maintained their positioning and tactical discipline throughout the match periods. Their spatial awareness in covering gaps was clear, as well as applying organized pressure when the opponent circulates the ball. These details build confidence before entering the World Cup arena.'