Today's Talking Points
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1Iraq are at their second consecutive World Cup, having returned to the tournament in 2022 after a long absence. Two in a row is real progress. Given everything that's happened in that country over the last 20 years, it's also a quietly remarkable thing.
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2They're in Group I with France, Senegal and Norway. France are enormous favourites. Iraq getting a point in this group would represent a genuine achievement worth celebrating.
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3Aymen Hussein is their best striker — plays domestically but is prolific in Asian competition and will be looking to make a first impression on a global stage.
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4Iraqi football has flourished in recent years despite enormous political instability. The domestic league is competitive, the fan culture is passionate, and the national team has become a source of genuine unity. Football doing what football occasionally does.
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5The 2026 tournament marks Iraq's growing maturity as a football nation. Two consecutive World Cups, earned through proper competition. That's a foundation worth building on.
🍺 Top Thing To Say Down The Pub
Iraq have been to two World Cups in a row. Given what that country has been through in the last 20 years, that's actually one of the more remarkable facts about this tournament.
🚫 Avoid Saying
Going straight to the politics — these are footballers and their fans are just happy to be watching. Talk about the football.