Akam Hashim is the Right Man to Take Haaland Out of the Game!

Iraqis place their defensive hopes on the shoulders of Akam Hashim before the confrontation with Norway in the opening of the 2026 World Cup. The Iraqi defender has become the first name tasked with stopping Erling Haaland in the anticipated match early Wednesday morning Baghdad time, as part of the first round of the group stage at Boston Stadium.

Akam, 27, has made significant strides in his performance over the past two years. Under the leadership of Graham Arnold, he gained full confidence, translating it into a consistent performance that made him a cornerstone in the defense of the Lions of Mesopotamia. His fighting spirit and ability to calmly release the ball under pressure have earned him a special status among the fans and coaching staff.

Iraqi coach Thaer Kazem understands the magnitude of the challenge. He said that most defenders around the world fear facing Haaland because of his physical build, explosive speed, and lethal shots. Therefore, stopping him requires exceptional work and focus for a full 90 minutes.

However, Kazem believes that Akam is the most suitable choice for this task within the ranks of Iraq. The reason: his speed and good reading of the game, which enable him to anticipate the striker's movements before receiving the ball. Yes, Akam is not as tall as Haaland, but he compensates for that with tactical intelligence and ferocity in tackles.

Kazem advised Akam to revisit Antonio Rudiger's matches with Real Madrid against Haaland and Manchester City. The German defender succeeded in "sticking" to the Norwegian striker, keeping him out of the game in most European encounters. The plan is simple: close monitoring, not giving him space to turn, and psychologically taking him out of the match atmosphere.

He emphasized an important point: Akam must be the primary responsible for keeping Haaland out of the game. Kazem does not prefer assigning more than one player to monitor the Norwegian, as Haaland is smart and adept at drawing defenders to create spaces for his teammates inside the penalty area. Therefore, caution is required, and tactical discipline is more important than excessive marking.

The confrontation will take place early Wednesday at 1:00 AM Mecca and Baghdad time on the Boston Stadium grounds, with expectations of temperatures reaching 24 degrees Celsius. Conditions may favor Iraq more than Norway.