Spain hosts Iraq on Thursday at Estadio Municipal de Riazor for an international friendly a week ahead of the opening match of the World Cup.

Meet Ahmed Qasem. The Nashville SC winger is ready to represent Iraq, his mother's home nation, at the 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer. Ahmed Qasem is ready to represent @IraqNT_EN at the @fifaworldcup!

Iraq earned a hard-fought victory over Bolivia in the intercontinental playoff final to earn the 48th and final spot in the 2026 World Cup.

Forward scored crucial goal in play-off win over Bolivia and is now heading to finals in North America with Lions of Mesopotamia

Iraq are organised enough to avoid total collapse, but this is a brutal stylistic assignment. Spain will likely dominate territory, possession, passing lanes and pressing recoveri

Iraq return to the World Cup for the first time since making their debut 40 years ago, having taken a lengthy route to the finals under a ​coach who is no stranger to the tournament.

Iraq return to the World Cup with ambitions of delivering stronger performances and results than first time round in 1986.

Iraq’s place at the 2026 World Cup was secured only after a gruelling qualification campaign that stretched across 21 matches. They moved through the early Asian stages but missed out on direct qualification in the third round,