Overview
The Iraq national football team, governed by the Iraq Football Association (IFA), represents Iraq in international men's football. Since its first official match in 1957, the team has competed in regional, continental, and global tournaments, maintaining a series of notable team and individual records.
Competitive record
| Competition | Appearances | Best result |
|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup | 1 (1998) | Group stage (1998) |
| AFC Asian Cup | 9 (1972‑2023) | Champions (2007) |
| Arab Cup | 10 (1964‑2023) | Champions (1964, 1966) |
| WAFF Championship | 5 (2000‑2023) | Runners‑up (2000) |
| Asian Games (U‑23) | 8 (1974‑2022) | Gold medal (2006) |
The data reflect official senior‑team participation up to the end of 2023.
FIFA World Rankings
- Highest ranking: 39th (April 2007)
- Lowest ranking: 144th (July 2018)
Team records (selected)
| Record | Detail |
|---|---|
| First official match | 2 – 3 loss to Morocco, 30 May 1957 (friendly) |
| Largest victory (official match) | 7 – 0 win against Saudi Arabia, 4 March 1975 (Arab Cup) |
| Largest defeat (official match) | 0 – 10 loss to South Korea, 27 October 1975 (World Cup qualifying) |
| Most consecutive wins | 9 matches (13 Oct 2007 – 14 Mar 2008) |
| Most consecutive matches without defeat | 20 matches (23 Feb 2007 – 21 Jun 2008) |
Individual records (as of December 2023)
| Statistic | Player | Figure |
|---|---|---|
| Most caps | Younis Mahmoud | 147 appearances |
| Most goals | Younis Mahmoud | 57 goals |
| Most appearances in a World Cup finals tournament | Younis Mahmoud | 3 matches (1998) |
| Most goals in a single AFC Asian Cup tournament | Hussein Saeed | 4 goals (1996) |
| Youngest player to debut | Ali Adnan (centre‑back) | 17 years, 259 days (June 2010) |
| Oldest player to appear | Raad Hammoudi (goalkeeper) | 38 years, 233 days (1994 Asian Games) |
All figures are compiled from IFA match archives, FIFA statistical databases, and reputable sport‑historical publications. When precise data differ among sources, the highest‑confidence figure is presented.
Head‑to‑head summary (selected opponents, official matches only)
| Opponent | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia | 24 | 9 | 5 | 10 |
| Iran | 30 | 7 | 6 | 17 |
| Jordan | 15 | 9 | 3 | 3 |
| South Korea | 13 | 2 | 3 | 8 |
| United Arab Emirates | 18 | 10 | 4 | 4 |
Notable milestones
- 1998 FIFA World Cup – Iraq’s sole appearance to date; the team recorded a 2‑2 draw against Brazil, famously celebrated for its symbolic significance amid the country’s political turmoil.
- 2007 AFC Asian Cup – Iraq won the tournament, defeating Saudi Arabia 1‑0 in the final; the victory is widely regarded as a unifying moment for the nation.
- 2006 Asian Games – Iraq captured the gold medal in the U‑23 tournament, defeating South Korea 1‑0 in the final.
Statistical notes
- All caps and goal totals include FIFA‑recognised “A” international matches (friendlies, qualifiers, tournament fixtures).
- Records for friendly‑match goal tallies and unofficial appearances are excluded to maintain comparability across eras.
- Data are current through the end of 2023; subsequent matches (2024 onward) are not reflected.
References
- FIFA. FIFA/Coca‑Cola World Ranking – Historical Data. FIFA.com.
- Iraq Football Association. Official Match Archive. IFA.gov.iq.
- Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF). Iraq – Record International Players. rsssf.org.
- Asian Football Confederation. AFC Asian Cup Statistics. the-afc.com.
The information presented adheres to verified published sources and avoids speculation. Where source discrepancies exist, the most widely corroborated figures are used.
