Iraq conclude World Cup preparations with a defeat to Venezuela
June 10 : Iraq lost 2-0 to Venezuela on Wednesday in their final warm-up friendly before the World Cup.
Iraq Sport News
Saudi Arabia and Senegal end scoreless in final World Cup friendly
June 10 : Saudi Arabia was held to a goalless draw against 10-man Senegal on Wednesday in the two teams’ final friendly before the start of the World Cup.
From North Korea in 1966 to Japan in 2022: Asia’s greatest World Cup runs
SINGAPORE: Asian teams have rarely made deep runs at the World Cup, but the continent has produced some of the tournament's most memorable underdog stories.
Olise stakes World Cup claim with hat-trick in France win
PARIS, June 8 : Michael Olise offered another glimpse of the influence he could have at the World Cup, netting a hat-trick as France edged Northern Ireland 3-1 in a warm-up game in Lille eight days before launching their campaign in the United States.
US task force created to scrutinize World Cup visitors, players
CHICAGO: A task force has been created to provide heightened security and scrutiny of fans and players who enter the US for the FIFA World Cup.
Norway manager Solbakken slams 'unprofessional' Scotland over friendly cancellation
June 8 : Norway manager Stale Solbakken heavily criticized Scotland counterpart Steve Clarke on Monday, branding Scotland "unprofessional" after they unexpectedly cancelled a planned behind-closed-doors training match, citing player injuries.
Norway come from behind to draw with Morocco in World Cup warm-up
HARRISON, NJ, June 7 : Norway captain Martin Odegaard equalised 15 minutes from time to force a 1-1 draw with Morocco in their World Cup warm-up international on Sunday.
Iraq World Cup striker Hussein questioned for hours at Chicago airport, source says
BAGHDAD: Iraq’s World Cup striker, Aymen Hussein, was held and questioned for nearly seven hours at Chicago’s O’Hare airport after arriving with the squad early on Saturday, an Iraqi sporting official said. Hussein was finally allowed in, but the team’s photographer was barred from entering the United States, said the official who works for the Iraqi Olympic Committee, but has close contacts with the team. There was no immediate comment from the Iraqi Football Association, or from Hussein, a talismanic figure who scored the goal that secured the team’s qualification for the finals. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Homeland Security Department did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment on the reported questioning that was also covered by Iraqi media. Fans came out in the early hours of the morning to greet the Iraq squad at the airport, holding flags and asking players to pose for pictures less than a week before the start of the tournament, video on social media showed. Hussein’s phone was inspected after he arrived, the Iraqi official said. “National team photographer Talal Salah was held for more than 10 hours, underwent similar phone checks, and was ultimately denied entry into the United States,” the official added. Iraq are returning to the World Cup for the first time since making their debut 40 years ago. Hussein, 30, leads a potent frontline that also features Ipswich Town’s Ali Al-Hamadi and talented youngsters Ali Jassim and Youssef Amyn. Iraq face France, Senegal and Norway in Group I. The tournament being co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico gets under way on Thursday.