Iraq, set to play in the FIFA World Cup after a year, has received two new players for the qualifiers. The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has granted permission for midfielder Ahmed Kassem from Nasvhill SC and defender Dario Namolo from Dundee United to play for Iraq. This allows Iraq the opportunity to select both players.
Dario and Kassem have fulfilled FIFA's regulations that permit changes to the national team based on family ties. Due to conflicts in the Middle East, Iraq has faced travel issues, which had previously secured their spot in the World Cup for the first time in 40 years last March. The World Cup will be jointly hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the United States starting June 11.
Iraq finds itself in a tough group, facing powerful teams like France, Norway, and Senegal. These teams feature star forwards such as Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, and Sadio Mané. Iraq's coach Graham Arnold had previously led his own country, Australia, in the 2022 World Cup. Now, he will be able to include two more players raised in Europe in his squad.
Twenty-two-year-old Kassem was born in Sweden and represented the youth national team up to the U-21 level there. He joined Major League Soccer club Nashville from Elfsborg last year. Twenty-year-old Namolo was born in Finland and was still playing for Finland's U-21 team until March.
In this new chapter for Iraq's football team, the inclusion of these young players could strengthen the squad further. This is a significant step for Iraq in their World Cup preparations, and football fans are expressing excitement for it.