Learn About Iraq's Key Matches Against European Teams

Before facing Norway in the opening of its participation in the 2026 World Cup, Iraq recalls its long history of matches with the old continent, having played more than 30 official and friendly matches against European teams and FIFA tournaments throughout its history.

In the 1986 Mexico World Cup, which marked Iraq's first official participation, they faced Belgium and lost 2-1, then faced the Soviet Union under its former name and lost 2-0.

In 2009, Iraq participated in the Confederations Cup hosted by South Africa, where they faced Spain and lost 1-0 with a goal scored by David Villa.

According to some sources, Iraq faced German teams 6 times in friendlies, mostly against the former East Germany.

The first encounter was in 1969 in Baghdad, ending in a 1-1 draw, and in 1970 in Germany, Iraq lost 5-0.

In 1979, the match against East Germany in February saw the Lions of Mesopotamia win 2-1 in Baghdad, a victory considered historic without a doubt.

In preparations before the World Cup, Iraq faced Spain again in a friendly match in La Coruña, ending in a 1-1 draw, with Ferran Torres scoring first and then Meerhas Doski equalizing.

Prior to that, a friendly match against Andorra took place in Girona, Spain, where Iraq won 1-0 with a goal by Ali Youssef.

Iraq met Poland three times previously, with the first match in 1970 ending in a 2-0 win for Poland, and a second friendly in the same year ending in a 3-0 Polish victory.

Returning to 2009, Iraq played another friendly against Poland in Cape Town, ending in a 1-1 draw.

Regarding matches against Russia and the former Soviet Union, the Soviet Union won 1-0 in a 1979 friendly, and in a friendly with the Russian team in 2023 in Saint Petersburg, Iraq lost 2-0.

In other encounters, they played two friendly matches against Romania in the 1980s, losing 1-0 and drawing 0-0, while defeating Cyprus 2-0 in a 2005 friendly.

They drew 0-0 with Turkey in 1976 and lost 1-0 in 1981 in notable friendly matches.