The Iraq national men's team hasn't played a World Cup in 40 years; a drought that ends Tuesday night, to the excitement of soccer fans in Dearborn, Michigan, home to a large Iraqi diaspora.
Waad Sana was inspired to open Soccer World in 1986 after seeing the Iraqi national team play in that year's World Cup. 40 years later, Iraq is back in the tournament and Sana is getting around 100 calls each day from fans looking for Iraq national team jerseys.
Nick Hagen for NPR
hide caption
toggle caption
Nick Hagen for NPR
‘Something historic is happening’: After 40 years, Iraq return to the World Cup - and fans are dreaming | The National
Iraq returns to the World Cup after 40 years as fans unite from Basra to Boston
‘Now we have to beat France’: Iraq fans heartbroken but defiant as team kick off World Cup campaign with loss | The National
Iraq scores only its second World Cup goal ever, equalizes against Norway in historic match
Iraq may have lost their first World Cup game in 40 years, but I've never felt prouder to be Iraqi | The National
Aymen Hussein discusses journey to World Cup after tragedy
Ahmed Qasem says nothing is impossible as Iraq prepare for World Cup's 'Group of Death' | The National
Why Arab ambition makes this World Cup one to watch | The National
Iraq's World Cup team meet a 'wild and wonderful' West Virginia | The National
Iraq faces Norway in World Cup match preview and predictions
From Boston Common to the stadium gates, supporters travelled from around the world to witness a moment generations of Iraqis…
A decade after their last appearance, Iraq's national team returns to football's biggest stage, drawing support from fans at home…
Iraq beat Bolivia in an intercontinental playoff to claim the final spot in the record-breaking 48-team field for the 2026 FIFA…
RIYADH: It has been more than 850 days since Iraq’s journey to North America began. A crowd of 64,447 at Basra International…
The Lions of Mesopotamia have waited 40 years to return to the World Cup and they have had to do it the hard way
It took 40 years for Iraq to return to the world stage after its debut in 1986, can Graham Arnold’s men deliver a performance the…
