Iraq have only qualified for the World Cup once before, but led by a strong cohort of diaspora players, they reached the 2026 tournament via a victory over Bolivia in the intercontinental playoffs.They face an uphill task at this tournament however, having been drawn in arguably the competition’s toughest group. Their defenders will have the unenviable task of trying to stop Norway's Erling Haaland, France's Kylian Mbappe and Senegal's Nicolas Jackson in consecutive Group I games.The journey Iraq’s players and fans made to Mexico for their playoff against Bolivia was arduous, but worthwhile to secure a World Cup return after a 40-year absence.Get the latest World Cup news straight to your inbox by signing up to our Make Football Great Again newsletter now!‌“They had to take a long bus journey to Jordan. They flew from there to Portugal, then to Mexico City and flew again to Monterrey.“It took some Iraqi fans 13 days to get from Iraq to Monterrey,” Hassanane Belal of the Iraq Football Podcast told our Make Football Great Again podcast.Sadly, few Iraqis will be able to see their team at the 2026 World Cup. They are one of several nations where US visas have been difficult to secure for fans.“It’s our chance to show on the world stage that Iraqi’s love football, dancing, music and food,” Hassanane said, in reference to the few fans who will be able to travel.‌The opening goal in the 2-1 victory over Bolivia was scored by Ali Al-Hamadi, the first Iraqi to play in the Premier League. He is one of two members of this Iraq squad to grow up in England, having moved to Liverpool from his homeland at the age of one.Al-Hamadi spent last season on loan at Luton Town and scored a solitary goal in an injury riddled campaign.The other squad member raised in England is former Manchester United youngster Zidane Iqbal. He made five appearances in the Eredivisie for FC Utrecht this season, having joined the Dutch side following his Red Devils’ release.“You’re not going to risk him in the starting lineup at Man United. But as an Iraqi and Manchester United fan, I’d like to have seen him get more chances,” Hassanane said, when asked if Iqbal deserved more chances at Old Trafford.‌Experienced striker Aymen Hussein is fifth in the nation’s all-time scoring charts having scored 33 goals in 93 caps. The 30-year-old will likely start alongside Ali Al-Hamadi up front.“He’s one of the oldest players in the team. He’s the one who Iraq will always turn to when we need a goal,” Hassanane said.For the players, the World Cup will be a complete unknown. But manager Graham Arnold has been here before with Australia. He took the Socceroos to the Round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup. He will be assisted by former Fulham boss Rene Meulensteen.‌“The fans love him. He took over in a catastrophic time and turned things round completely for the better.“When he speaks, everyone listens,” Hassanane said about Arnold.The Iraq national team has a unique ability to bring Iraqis together, in a nation often blighted by sectarianism.‌“This team truly represents me. But there’s also representation for my Christian friends... It’s a beautiful team,” Hassanane said.Despite an uphill task in their group, Hassanane is confident Iraq can qualify for the Round of 32.“I reckon we beat Norway, lose to France and draw with Senegal,” he said.The mentality of this group will also not be called into question, having dug in and ground out several narrow wins in qualification.‌“They are going to go all out and give absolutely everything,” Hassanane added.