MLS midfielder Ahmed Qasem named in Iraq World Cup squad

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – After completing a nationality transfer from Sweden earlier this year, Ahmed Qasem has been officially included in Iraq’s final team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

On May 11, FIFA authorized the attacking midfielder, who now plays for Nashville SC in the US, to represent Iraq, the nation of his mother’s ancestry.

Before choosing to change allegiance, Qasem, who was born in Sweden with Iraqi and Palestinian ancestry, represented Sweden at youth international levels, including the under-17, under-18, under-19, and under-21 teams.

Shortly after FIFA’s acceptance, he was called up for the first time for Iraq and made his debut on May 29 in a friendly match against Andorra.

Iraq coach Graham Arnold’s inclusion of Qasem in the final 26-man World Cup squad marked a significant turning point in the player’s international career.

Iraq’s inclusion of foreign-based players like Qasem shows its attempts to bolster the national squad ahead of its first World Cup campaign in forty years.

Iraq, known as the Lions of Mesopotamia, has been drawn into a challenging Group I with Senegal, France, and Norway.

To get to the knockout round, Iraq will begin its campaign on June 16 against Norway, then play France on June 22 and Senegal on June 26.