Ayman Hussein Announces Mobilization Before Norway Clash

Ayman Hussein sent a strong message to his teammates in the Lions of Mesopotamia camp hours before the serious training sessions for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The Iraqi star wanted to close the chapter on friendlies and open the real World Cup chapter, starting with the match against Norway on Wednesday morning.

The Iraqi delegation arrived early Friday morning at their accommodation in West Virginia, coming from Chicago, after a friendly against Venezuela that ended in a 2-0 loss, closing the curtain on the trial phase. Now all the focus is on the opening match against Haaland and his teammates.

Before the first training session, captain Jalal Hassan stood in front of the players and told them: "We start today with God's blessing. We must be united. The journey was long and tiring, but we have arrived and must be up to the responsibility. The fans are not waiting for excuses, they are waiting for performance and manliness on the field."

Ayman Hussein's role came directly to complete the captain's words. He told his teammates: "The period in Spain and Chicago was for experimentation and fun, but since we arrived in West Virginia, we have entered the serious phase. Now is the time for real work. We must be of one heart and one hand, supporting each other to present the best image in the difficult matches that await us in the World Cup."

The coaching staff began the first training units with light physical doses and recovery runs to eliminate travel fatigue and adapt to the atmosphere and the pitch, which the players described as excellent and conducive to delivering the best performance.

The team lost the efforts of Ahmed Yahya, who left for Baghdad after injuring his hamstring during the friendly against Spain in La Coruña earlier this month. The team also faced difficulties entering the United States through Chicago Airport, as Ayman Hussein was detained for a full 8 hours for questioning, and the authorities prevented team photographer Talal Salah from entering and sent him back to his country.

Iraq's arrival at the World Cup for the second time after the 1986 edition brings to mind the late Ahmed Radhi's only goal in the history of Iraqi participation. The Lions of Mesopotamia enter the tournament with a clear goal: to break this historical record and leave a new mark worthy of Iraq's name.