A. Sher

Iraq arrive at the 2026 World Cup carrying the weight of low expectations, with our AI model assigning them a 0.0% chance of lifting the trophy and equally negligible odds of reaching either the semifinals or the final. Now reportedly guided by Graham Arnold, the side is framed by headlines that openly speak of dreaming of a miracle — a candid acknowledgement of the gulf between this squad and the tournament's heavyweights. For a nation returning to the global stage, simply being present is itself a milestone worth savouring.

The attacking burden falls on Mohanad Farji, who has impressed at Stromsgodset with nine goals, four assists and a 7.04 rating, comfortably the standout of this group. In midfield, Ibraheem Bayesh (5 goals, 2 assists, 6.84) and Youssef Amyn (4 goals, 2 assists, 6.75) offer creativity, while Aarhus' Kevin Yakob adds further productivity with four goals, two assists and a 6.82 rating. The concern is depth and pedigree: this is a squad built on solid European second-tier contributors rather than elite names, leaving little margin against superior opposition.

Drawn into Group I, Iraq face an uphill battle simply to escape the first round, and the knockout phase looks like a distant ambition rather than a realistic target. The honest verdict is that group-stage elimination is the most probable outcome, though a competitive performance and the occasional upset would represent genuine progress for Arnold's project.