Wars, sanctions and punishments: Iraq's 40-year World Cup wait
Key takeaways
- Iraq qualified for their first World Cup in 40 years with a play-off win in March.
- The 66-year-old will, along with the vast majority of the 46 million people in the football-mad country, be watching on 16 June as Iraq take on Erling Haaland's Norway in Boston.
- "This is truly a group of death and tougher than 1986," Allawi told BBC Sport.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
Iraq qualified for their first World Cup in 40 years with a play-off win in March. It was fitting that Iraq secured a place at the 2026 World Cup by beating Bolivia in Mexico, the location of their first ever appearance on the global stage back in 1986.
Karim Allawi was a player 40 years ago as the Lions of Mesopotamia lost all three games against Paraguay, Belgium and the hosts but now he is a fan, desperately hoping that his successors can fare a little better even if games against Norway, France and Senegal look daunting.
The 66-year-old will, along with the vast majority of the 46 million people in the football-mad country, be watching on 16 June as Iraq take on Erling Haaland's Norway in Boston.