Iraq fans ‘proud’ and joyful despite World Cup loss to France | World Cup 2026 News

Philadelphia, United States — The primary time Ali Alkabasi noticed Iraq play at a World Cup was on tv when he was 13 years outdated. Forty years later, he was contained in the Philadelphia Stadium as his nation returned to the large stage and confronted former champions France.

Regardless of a crushing 3-0 loss in his crew’s second Group I match, Alkabasi says he’s grateful to witness Iraq dwell on the event.

“Seeing Iraq play within the World Cup is sufficient,” he instructed Al Jazeera.

“The efficiency wasn’t too dangerous. The end result was anticipated. France are on one other stage. A minimum of the Iraqi gamers weren’t simply taking part in lengthy balls. They tried to construct up an assault.”

Iraqi followers stood up and saluted their crew on the remaining whistle, and even at three objectives down within the remaining minutes of the sport, they cheered for each assault as if they may will it into changing into an equaliser.

‘Matter of delight’

For a rustic that has confronted immense adversity over the previous many years, Iraq’s participation in a World Cup introduced unadulterated pleasure to followers, who travelled from throughout the US and the world to see their crew in motion.

Halah Maykhan, an Iraqi American who lives in Wisconsin, mentioned Iraq’s return to the World Cup after 4 many years is a dream come true.

“We live the dream. My homeland, Iraq, makes it to the World Cup finals in America, the place I dwell. The dream for me is double,” Maykhan instructed Al Jazeera.

“I’m so joyful and so excited. This can be a matter of delight for the Iraqi folks.”

She expressed gratitude to the gamers for gathering Iraqis from all corners of the planet in a single place to rally across the squad.

“We’re with this crew regardless of the outcomes,” Maykhan instructed Al Jazeera.

“Though they lack expertise, we hope they do effectively, and we’re hoping all Arab groups do effectively.”

Two-time world champions France began the match with depth, and famous person Kylian Mbappe quieted the raucous Iraqi crowd within the 14th minute with a screamer from the sting of the field – however not for lengthy.

After the shell-shock, Iraqi followers returned to drumming up assist for his or her crew as chants of “Iraq, Iraq” rang all through the stadium.

The method would repeat twice, with France’s objectives solely briefly lulling the roars of the supporters of the Lions of Mesopotamia.

Regardless of the big gulf in high quality between the 2 sides, Iraq didn’t simply park the bus and clear the ball as distant as attainable from their very own aim.

They tried to maintain possession and play by means of France’s excessive press.

Mohammed Abduljabbar, who lives in Texas, mentioned whereas the end result was disappointing, the crew did what it needed to do in opposition to a greater opponent.

“Their efficiency was good. Sure, there have been errors, however there have been additionally some stunning performs. We’re happy with them, and we thank them for bringing us to the World Cup,” Abduljabbar instructed Al Jazeera.

He added that the sensation of watching Iraq on the stadium was “indescribable”.

Past soccer, Iraq’s World Cup journey placed on show a fortified nationwide id throughout sectarian and spiritual strains.

On the stadium on Monday, there have been Kurdish and Assyrian flags waving alongside the nationwide banner, however all of the followers stood united behind the gamers.

Husam Nafea, an Iraq fan who drove for 4 hours from Virginia to see the match, mentioned the nation has been rising above divisions, and it’s now much more unified across the crew.

“Wherever we go, we as Iraqis are joyous and united, and hopefully, we stay this fashion,” Nafea, who was draped in an Iraqi flag, instructed Al Jazeera exterior the stadium.

Over the previous many years, Iraq has endured coups, wars, sieges, civil strife, a US-led invasion and the rise of ISIL (ISIS).

Now the nation is experiencing a interval of relative calm, but it surely stays close to the centre of many geopolitical faultlines within the area.

Nawres Almamoori travelled all the way in which from South Australia to Philadelphia to observe Iraq in motion.

He mentioned the thrill round participation within the event is bringing much-needed reduction to Iraqis.

“Iraqis have gone by means of and are nonetheless going by means of loads,” Almamoori instructed Al Jazeera. “They deserve this pleasure.”

An precise storm caught up with Iraq and France on Monday, with heavy rain and thunder halting the match for almost two hours at half-time.

As followers lined as much as enter the stadium underneath the water dumping from the sky, Iraq fan Hassan Raad mentioned he’s unconcerned with the climate or the end result.

“Rain, solar, freeze, desert – we’re right here for our guys,” Raad instructed Al Jazeera. “The end result doesn’t matter. As followers, our job is to assist the crew.”

Ateka Saleh, an Iraqi American from Wisconsin, echoed the sentiment.

“It doesn’t matter what occurs at this time, they already introduced us right here, collectively, to be pleased with them,” Saleh mentioned of the gamers earlier than the match.

“So, ‘thanks’ to them. We’re very happy with this crew.”