Hassan returns as Arnold names preliminary Iraq squad
Graham Arnold has named an extended squad of 34 players for Iraq’s second FIFA World Cup outing, including three highly touted young stars and returning captain Jalal Hassan.
Less than a month until they make their return to the FIFA World Cup™ after a 40-year absence, head coach Graham Arnold has named a 34-player preliminary Iraq squad.
That extended group will head to Spain later this month where they will face Luis de la Fuente’s La Roja side on 4 June, six days after a clash with Andorra.
Ahmed Basil Jalal Hassan Kumel Saadi Fahad Talib
Hussein Ali Merchas Doski Akam Hashem Maytham Jabbar Ahmed Maknzi Dario Naamo Frans Putros Mustafa Saadoon Rebin Sulaka Zaid Tahseen Ahmed Yahya Manaf Younis
Hasan Abdulkareem Amir Al Ammari Youssef Amyn Ibrahim Bayesh Marko Farji Peter Gwargis Zidane Iqbal Zaid Ismail Ali Jassim Karar Nabeel Jussef Nasrawe Ahmed Qasim Aimar Sher Kevin Yakob
Mohanad Ali Aymen Hussein Ali Al Hamadi Ali Yousef
All squads are provisional until the final list of 26 players is announced by FIFA, following their submission by participating teams, on 2 June.
The squad is headlined by midfield string puller Amir Al Ammari, creative winger Ali Jasim and the vastly experienced goal plunderer Aymen Hussein. Captain Jalal Hassan also returns, having missed the team’s FIFA Play-Off Tournament win over Bolivia due to injury.
Highly touted winger Montader Madjed misses out but three exciting young talents have earned maiden call-ups. Scotland-based fullback Dario Naamo, versatile Bayern Munich youth product Jussef Nasrawe and Nashville SC attacking midfielder Ahmed Qasem had previously represented the youth national teams of Finland, Germany and Sweden respectively but have now declared for Iraq.
16 June: Iraq v Norway - Boston Stadium
22 June: France v Iraq - Philadelphia Stadium
26 June: Senegal v Iraq - Toronto Stadium