For Iraq’s displaced diaspora, Toronto’s World Cup provides a reunion 40 years in the making
TORONTO — Thousands of proud Iraqis were united under the backdrop of the 2026 World Cup in Toronto, forming an emotional fan march ahead of their match against Senegal.
“We’re so happy, honestly. So many decades of us being separated,” said Nora Ahmad, a Torontonian, whose ethnicity is Iraqi, but is from Afghanistan. “My own family is all around the world, so it’s just heartwarming.”
She attended Friday’s event with her twin sister, Yusra. In terms of how long this match has been on their calendars, she said: “Forever. Bucket list to go to the World Cup. I didn’t think I’d ever see Iraq, my own country.”
The 2026 World Cup marks the first time that Iraq has participated in the international soccer tournament since 1986. In those 40 years, millions of Iraqis have been displaced, as the country has survived Saddam Hussein’s dictatorship, brutal civil conflicts and an invasion from the United States.
“Forty years of journey. We’ve been through a lot of tough times, we’ve been through hard times, wars, everything. … Kidnappings happening, very dangerous times,” said Yousef Haddad from Mississauga, Ont., who attended the match with his family of seven.
“But today, after 40 years, it’s all about uniting, we’re all like one country. It’s brotherly love. No matter what religion you are, no matter what you believe in, we’re all one country, one blood.”
Iraq has arguably had the toughest journey to get to the 2026 World Cup, having played 21 matches to qualify — the most of any country. It’s fitting that a match is being played in Toronto, as Canada is home to more than 59,300 people of Iraqi descent.
For the march to Toronto Stadium, Iraqi and Canadian flags flew freely, while green, white and red smoke canisters engulfed the city air. After a gathering at Stanley Park, the march made its way down King Street, until it curbed onto Strachan Avenue, with loud drums, vuvuzelas and chants ringing throughout.
Many took part in the traditional Arabic chant, “Bi-rruh, bi-ddam, nafdeeka ya Iraq” (meaning, “With our soul, with our blood, we sacrifice for you, O Iraq”). Others sang out the common “Olé, Olé, Olé” soccer chant, and others offered up the iconic zaghrouta, the high-pitched, wavering Arabic ululation that expresses joy and celebration.
For a country that hasn’t played in the World Cup for 40 years, you’d never be able to tell based on their pre-game celebrations. (Bryan Meler/Yahoo Canada)
The atmosphere “feels like home, tastes like home,” said Lina Alshimmari, who attended the march solo, making the journey from Windsor, Ont. Heading into the game, her expectations weren’t high, noting the highly improbable chances of Iraq advancing to the knockout stages.
Iraq ultimately fell 5-0 to Senegal, a result made especially possible by a red card in the 13th minute. It’s also been an incredibly tough return to the World Cup, with the Iraqis sharing a group with France and Norway, who join Senegal among the top 25 teams in the world.
“They were so loud and so noisy, and it was fantastic,” said Iraq’s head coach Graham Arnold about the fan presence. “I’m extremely proud to have just got Iraq to the World Cup, and given those Iraqi fans and the people in Iraq the opportunity to enjoy being at a World Cup.”
That opportunity for joy carries immense weight. Decades of conflict and the brutal 2014 invasion by ISIS systematically targeted minority populations, displacing ancient communities. While Iraq is currently 97 per cent Muslim, the historic diaspora reflected in Toronto is diverse. For example, many fans at the march made the journey from Michigan, home to a large population of Chaldean Catholics, an Indigenous Christian group from Iraq.
“It’s beautiful. Everyone’s partying,” said Julius Shammas, a Chaldean Catholic, who made the trip with his family from the Metro Detroit area. “We all love each other, and we’re just here to have a good time.”
Toronto has seen its share of glorious fan marches, but Iraq’s can arguably make the claim for being the biggest and loudest. Making the journey from Calgary to participate was Mariam Hamza, who said it felt like “the city wasn’t expecting us.”
When it comes to the atmosphere that the Iraqis were able to provide, Hamza’s friend saw it as a moment of togetherness on the world stage.
“We’re all together, you can see there’s so many Iraqi flags from the north to the south, we’re all under one flag here to support our national team,” said Mustafa Al-Jaibaji. “Iraq, as a country, has been through a lot. So we’re just very happy to be here.”