NewzVille Desk
West Asia’s top team, Iraq went through periods of both hope and concern as they overcame a series of challenges to secure their place at the FIFA World Cup 2026. In the process, the team endured the longest qualifying campaign of any of the 48 nations set to compete in North America, a journey that, in the eyes of Amir Al Ammari, perfectly captures the character of his team. As he put it: “We always find a way back.”
With the qualifying campaign behind them, the team’s attention turns to the biggest challenge of all – one that Iraq have waited four decades to face again.
Mid fielder, Al Ammari is expected to play a key role for his nation at the global showpiece. The 28-year-old has established himself as a core starter for his team in recent years.
As he continues his club career with Polish side Cracovia, he is preparing to face some of the biggest stars of the global game in Canada, Mexico and the United States. But he is showing no signs of intimidation, insisting that football still boils down to a contest between two teams on the pitch.
In an interview with FIFA, Al Ammari reflected on the emotions from Iraq’s tumultuous qualifying campaign, spoke about the message the team hopes to convey to the world and discussed his nation’s ambitions for the tournament in North America.
They round out the group stage by facing Senegal in Toronto on 26 June.
