Stars of 2007 return to the forefront!

The Iraqi Football Association, led by former international star Younis Mahmoud, has resolved the vacant positions in the coaching and administrative staff of the youth and junior teams, following a period of administrative void after the election of the new executive office and the withdrawal of several names from taking on the roles.

The federation has seen swift movements in recent days to resolve outstanding issues, especially after former star Samer Saeed declined the position of administrative director for one of the national teams, in addition to former international player Jabar Hashem stepping down from his role as administrative director for the youth team due to personal circumstances.

The Iraqi Football Association has officially announced the formation of the new coaching and administrative staff for the youth national team, with former international star Salam Shakir as head coach. He will be assisted by Hossam Fawzi and Fred Majid as assistant coaches, while Mohammed Kasid will take on the role of goalkeeping coach.

The statement added that the position of administrative director for the youth national team will be held by former international defender Saad Atiyah, while former international goalkeeper Noor Sabri will take on the role of administrative director for the U-21 team.

Noor Sabri's appointment paves the way for Nadim Karim to return to his previous role as the administrative director of the Olympic team, after he temporarily held the position of administrative director of the youth team during the past period.

Noor Sabri is regarded as one of the top goalkeepers in the history of Iraqi football, having been the first-choice keeper for the Lions of Mesopotamia during the AFC Asian Cup 2007. He played a crucial role in reaching the final after his decisive save against South Korea in the semi-finals.

The youth national team features a coaching staff made up of former stars of Iraqi football, including Salam Shaker, who was part of the Iraq squad that participated in the Confederations Cup in 2009, as well as striker Hussam Fawzi, who was one of the standout attacking players in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Assistant coach Fred Majid previously participated in the Confederations Cup 2009 and earned the trust of Serbian coach Bura Milutinović. The same applies to goalkeeper coach Mohamed Kasid and former national team defender Saad Atiyah.

These appointments confirm the current federation's direction to give opportunities to former national team stars, especially those who played alongside Younis Mahmoud in major tournaments, to benefit from their extensive experience and grant them larger roles in working with the national teams after being marginalized in recent years.