The Iraq national under-23 football team (also known as Iraq Olympic football team) represents Iraq in international under-23 football, Olympic Games and at the Asian Games, The team is controlled by the governing body for football in Iraq, Iraq Football Association (IFA).
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Nickname(s) | Asiad Asia Lions of Babylon | |||
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Association | IFA | |||
Confederation | AFC (Asia) | |||
Sub-confederation | WAFF (West Asia) | |||
Head coach | Radhi Shenaishil | |||
FIFA code | IRQ | |||
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Summer Olympics | ||||
Appearances | 2 (first in 2004) | |||
Best result | Fourth place (2004) | |||
Asian Games | ||||
Appearances | 2 (first in 2006) | |||
Best result | ![]() | |||
AFC U-23 Asian Cup | ||||
Appearances | 5 (first in 2013) | |||
Best result | ![]() | |||
Website | Website |
Iraq reached fourth place in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens and were champions in the 2013 AFC U-22 Championship. Other achievements include silver medal in the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, and the bronze medal in the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon.
After 16 years without participation, Iraq qualified for the 2004 Summer Olympics after winning the 2004 Olympic Asian Qualifiers under head coach Adnan Hamad and were scheduled to play against Costa Rica, Morocco and Portugal in the group stages. At the Olympics Iraq started with a shocking 4–2 win against Portugal. That was followed by a 2–0 win against Costa Rica and a 2–1 loss to Morocco. The quarter-finals saw them beat Australia 1–0, and in the semi-final against Paraguay, Iraq lost 3–1. In the bronze medal match, Iraq lost 1–0 to Italy and finished fourth.
Iraq qualified for the 2016 Olympics by clinching third place at the 2016 AFC U-23 Championship. The first game saw Iraq play against Denmark, and the score turned out as a 0–0 draw, despite Iraq having 18 shots in the match. The second game was played against the hosts and pre-tournament favourites, Brazil, which also ended up as a 0–0 draw, which was hailed as a great result for Iraq. In the third game, Iraq tied South Africa 1–1, despite having a huge 29 shots in the match. This result, coupled with Denmark's defeat to Brazil, saw Iraq get eliminated at the group stage. Brazil eventually went on to win the tournament.
Iraq's first major honour on U-23 level was the 2013 AFC U-22 Championship. The tournament started with a 3–1 win against Saudi Arabia. That was followed by a 2–1 win against Uzbekistan and a 1–0 win against China. The quarter-finals saw them beat Japan 1–0, and the semi-final against favourites Korea Republic with another 1–0 win.
The final was against local rivals Saudi Arabia, and Mohannad Abdul-Raheem scored the only goal to win the tournament for Iraq. This victory secured Iraq's first Asian Cup U-23 title.
The 2016 AFC U-23 Championship final tournament is to be held in Qatar from 12–30 January 2016. Iraq qualified for the tournament by topping the group in the qualification stage in Oman in March 2015.
Iraq advanced from the group stage, beating Yemen 2–0, Uzbekistan 3–2, and a 1–1 tie with South Korea. In the quarterfinals, Iraq beat UAE 3–1 in extra time to progress to the semifinals. Iraq lost 2–1 to Japan.
In the third place match, Iraq came back from behind to beat Qatar 2–1 to qualify for 2016 Olympics.
Iraq qualified for the 3rd tournament by topping the group in the qualification stage in Saudi Arabia in July 2017.
In the final tournament, with the defending champion Japan not bringing their strongest squad and South Korea fielded a relatively inexperienced squad, Iraq had many chances to repeat 2013 success. In the group stage, they finished at the top of the group after beating Malaysia 4–1 and Jordan 1–0, with a 0–0 draw against Saudi Arabia. Iraq advanced into the quarter-final as the first seed of group C and was scheduled to face off against Vietnam, which was widely regarded to be Iraq's easiest ever opponent in this stage, boosting the enthusiasm among Iraqis. However, thing didn't go as planned, which an unexpected 3–3 draw after extra time meant that the result would be settled via a penalty shoot-out, in which Vietnam emerged victorious with the score of 5–3, thus eliminating Iraq from the tournament in the shock of its supporters.
Iraq qualified for the tournament by topping the group in the qualification stage in Iran in March 2019.
In the final tournament held in Thailand, Iraq was grouped in group A together with host Thailand, a resurgence Australia and the unknown Bahrain. For the first time, Iraq did not make it out of the group stage, drawing all three games.
Iraq were drawn with Jordan, Australia and Kuwait.
Iraq pulled back the equaliser through Wakaa Ramadan to draw with Jordan 1-1 in the opening matchday, before drawing again to a 10-man Australia side through a Hasan Abdulkareem volley cancelling out a scorpion kick goal scored by Alou Kuol. Needing a win to qualify for the quarter finals, Iraq came back from a goal down to beat Kuwait 3-1 thanks to goals scored by Muntadher Mohammed, Moammel Abdulridha and Mohammed Al-Baqer.
Iraq qualified out of Group B as runner-up, only behind Australia, so they were drawn against the winner of Group A, hosts Uzbekistan. The game went to extra time and later, penalties. Merchas Doski and Ahmed Naeem converted their penalties while Uzbekistan's second penalty was saved by Hassan Ahmed. However, Wakaa Ramadan hit the post, Moammel Abdulridha had his tame penalty saved and Hasan Abdulkareem blazed his penalty over the bar, while Uzbekistan converted their last three penalties to win 3-2 on penalties and advance to the semi finals.
Win Draw Lose
4 October 2021 2021 WAFF U-23 Championship | Palestine ![]() | 0–1 | ![]() | Dammam, Saudi Arabia |
15:30 | Report |
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Stadium: Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium Referee: Mokhtar Al-Arami (Yemen) |
6 October 2021 2021 WAFF U-23 Championship | Iraq ![]() | 2–0 | ![]() | Khobar, Saudi Arabia |
21:30 |
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Stadium: Prince Saud bin Jalawi Stadium |
8 October 2021 2021 WAFF U-23 Championship | Lebanon ![]() | 2–2 | ![]() | Dammam, Saudi Arabia |
21:30 |
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Stadium: Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium |
10 October 2021 2021 WAFF U-23 Championship | Saudi Arabia ![]() | 1–0 | ![]() | Dammam, Saudi Arabia |
20:30 | Stadium: Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium |
27 October 2021 2022 AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualification | Iraq ![]() | 4–0 | ![]() | Arad, Bahrain |
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Stadium: Al Muharraq Stadium |
31 October 2021 2022 AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualification | Iraq ![]() | 3–0 | ![]() | Arad, Bahrain |
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Stadium: Al Muharraq Stadium |
23 March 2022 2022 Dubai Cup | Vietnam ![]() | 0–0 | ![]() | Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
Stadium: The Sevens Stadium |
26 March 2022 2022 Dubai Cup | Iraq ![]() | 1–2 | ![]() | Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
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29 March 2022 (2022-03-29) 2022 Dubai Cup | Thailand ![]() | 1–2 | ![]() | Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
19:00 UTC+4 |
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Stadium: The Sevens Stadium |
24 May 2022 (2022-05-24) Friendly | Iraq ![]() | 0–1 | ![]() | Baghdad, Iraq |
Stadium: Al-Madina Stadium |
27 May 2022 (2022-05-27) Friendly | Iraq ![]() | 3–1 | ![]() | Baghdad, Iraq |
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Stadium: Al-Madina Stadium |
1 June 2022 (2022-06-01) 2022 AFC U-23 Asian Cup | Jordan ![]() | 1–1 | ![]() | Markaziy Stadium, Qarshi |
22:00 UTC+5 |
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Live Report Stats Report |
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Attendance: 417 Referee: Khalid Al-Turais (Saudi Arabia) |
4 June 2022 2022 AFC U-23 Asian Cup | Iraq ![]() | 1–1 | ![]() | Markaziy Stadium, Qarshi |
18:00 UTC+5 |
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Live Report Stats Report |
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Attendance: 492 Referee: Akhrol Riskullaev (Uzbekistan) |
7 June 2022 2022 AFC U-23 Asian Cup | Iraq ![]() | 3–1 | ![]() | Qarshi, Uzbekistan |
18:00 UTC+5 |
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Live Report Stats Report |
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Stadium: Markaziy Stadium Attendance: 1,850 Referee: Omar Al-Ali (United Arab Emirates) |
11 June 2022 (2022-06-11) 2022 AFC U-23 Asian Cup QF | Uzbekistan ![]() | 2–2 (a.e.t.) (3–2 p) | ![]() | Tashkent, Uzbekistan |
21:00 UTC+5 |
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Live Report Stats Report |
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Stadium: Pakhtakor Stadium Attendance: 32,700 Referee: Mohammed Al-Hoish (Saudi Arabia) |
Penalties | ||||
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Position | Name |
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Head coach | ![]() |
Assistant coach | ![]() |
Goalkeeping coach | ![]() |
Fitness coach | ![]() |
Team analyst | ![]() |
Team manager | ![]() |
The following players were called up for the 2022 AFC U-23 Asian Cup.
Caps and goals correct as of 11 June 2022 after game against Uzbekistan.
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
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1 | 1GK | Mustafa Adhab | (1999-03-02)2 March 1999 (aged 23) | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
12 | 1GK | Hussein Ali Joli | (2002-09-18)18 September 2002 (aged 19) | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
22 | 1GK | Hassan Ahmed | (1999-10-04)4 October 1999 (aged 22) | 5 | 0 | ![]() |
2 | 2DF | Abbas Badeea | (2000-01-09)9 January 2000 (aged 22) | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
3 | 2DF | Ahmed Maknzi | (2001-09-24)24 September 2001 (aged 20) | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
4 | 2DF | Hussein Ammar | (2001-06-16)16 June 2001 (aged 20) | 6 | 0 | ![]() |
6 | 2DF | Cardo Siddik | (2002-09-21)21 September 2002 (aged 19) | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
14 | 2DF | Merchas Doski | (1999-12-07)7 December 1999 (aged 22) | 4 | 0 | ![]() |
15 | 2DF | Mohammed Al-Baqer | (2000-04-08)8 April 2000 (aged 22) | 6 | 1 | ![]() |
19 | 2DF | Hassan Raed | (2000-09-23)23 September 2000 (aged 21) | 6 | 0 | ![]() |
23 | 2DF | Ahmed Naeem | (1999-01-29)29 January 1999 (aged 23) | 4 | 0 | ![]() |
5 | 3MF | Baqer Attwan | (2002-01-20)20 January 2002 (aged 20) | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
8 | 3MF | Moamel Abdulridha | (2000-03-28)28 March 2000 (aged 22) | 6 | 2 | ![]() |
10 | 3MF | Hasan Abdulkareem | (1999-01-01)1 January 1999 (aged 23) | 6 | 1 | ![]() |
11 | 3MF | Muntadher Mohammed | (2001-06-05)5 June 2001 (aged 20) | 6 | 1 | ![]() |
13 | 3MF | Ali Majid | (2000-10-22)22 October 2000 (aged 21) | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
16 | 3MF | Muntadher Abdulameer | (2001-10-06)6 October 2001 (aged 20) | 6 | 0 | ![]() |
17 | 3MF | Maytham Waad | (2002-04-28)28 April 2002 (aged 20) | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
18 | 3MF | Hiran Ahmed | (2000-04-06)6 April 2000 (aged 22) | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
20 | 3MF | Alexander Aoraha | (2003-01-17)17 January 2003 (aged 19) | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
21 | 3MF | Ammar Ghalib | (2001-03-13)13 March 2001 (aged 21) | 3 | 1 | ![]() |
7 | 4FW | Amin Al-Hamawi | (2003-12-17)17 December 2003 (aged 18) | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
9 | 4FW | Wakaa Ramadan | (1999-04-17)17 April 1999 (aged 23) | 5 | 4 | ![]() |
The following players have been called up since January 2021
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
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GK | Waleed Atiyah | (1999-02-04) 4 February 1999 (age 23) | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
2022 Dubai Cup, March 2022 |
GK | Emad Eissa | (1995-08-24) 24 August 1995 (age 27) | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
Training Camp, January 2022 |
GK | Mohammed Azad Noori | (2000-03-27) 27 March 2000 (age 22) | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
GK | Nadeem Omar | (2001-08-20) 20 August 2001 (age 21) | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Mustafa Walid | (2002-04-28) 28 April 2002 (age 20) | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
2022 AFC U-23 Asian Cup |
DF | Zaid Tahseen | (2001-01-29) 29 January 2001 (age 21) | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
2022 AFC U-23 Asian CupPRE |
DF | Martin Haddad | (1999-12-08) 8 December 1999 (age 22) | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
2022 Dubai Cup, March 2022 |
DF | Mohammed Delawar | (2000-02-13) 13 February 2000 (age 22) | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
2022 Dubai Cup, March 2022 |
DF | Rafed Talib | (1998-11-25) 25 November 1998 (age 23) | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
Training Camp, January 2022OVR |
DF | Aisen Ishak | (2002-03-13) 13 March 2002 (age 20) | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
Training Camp, January 2022 |
DF | Youssef Khaled | (2002-04-14) 14 April 2002 (age 20) | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
Training Camp, January 2022 |
DF | Ibrahim Ali | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
Training Camp, January 2022 | |
DF | Yohan Zetuna | (2000-03-31) 31 March 2000 (age 22) | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Matin Saleh | (2002-03-22) 22 March 2002 (age 20) | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Zidane Iqbal | (2003-04-27) 27 April 2003 (age 19) | 3 | 1 | ![]() |
2022 AFC U-23 Asian CupINJ |
MF | Sadeq Zamel | (1999-07-15) 15 July 1999 (age 23) | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
2022 AFC U-23 Asian CupPRE |
MF | Ahmed Sartip | (2000-02-20) 20 February 2000 (age 22) | 2 | 1 | ![]() |
2022 Dubai Cup, March 2022WD |
MF | Kevin Yakob | (2000-10-10) 10 October 2000 (age 22) | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
2022 AFC U-23 Asian CupPRE |
MF | Danilo Al-Saed | (1999-02-24) 24 February 1999 (age 23) | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
Training Camp, January 2022 |
MF | Ramez Matti | (1999-03-06) 6 March 1999 (age 23) | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
Training Camp, January 2022 |
MF | André Alsanati | (2000-01-06) 6 January 2000 (age 22) | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
Training Camp, January 2022 |
MF | Hadi Haidar | (2000-11-19) 19 November 2000 (age 21) | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
Training Camp, January 2022 |
MF | Ahmed Hussein | (2001-10-19) 19 October 2001 (age 21) | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
Training Camp, January 2022 |
MF | Aiser Qasim | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
Training Camp, January 2022 | |
MF | Ali Mohsin | (1998-03-04) 4 March 1998 (age 24) | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Hasan Al-Mayahhi | (1999-02-12) 12 February 1999 (age 23) | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Suhaib Raad | (2000-04-17) 17 April 2000 (age 22) | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Ali Al-Hamadi | (2002-03-01) 1 March 2002 (age 20) | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
2022 AFC U-23 Asian CupINJ |
FW | Ridha Fadhil | (1998-11-23) 23 November 1998 (age 23) | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
2022 Dubai Cup, March 2022OVR |
FW | Salem Ahmad | (2000-12-28) 28 December 2000 (age 21) | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
2022 Dubai Cup, March 2022 |
FW | Ibrahim Ghazi | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
Training Camp, January 2022 | |
FW | Yousuf Zetuna | (1999-03-10) 10 March 1999 (age 23) | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Nihad Mohammed | (2001-01-01) 1 January 2001 (age 21) | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
PRE Part of the preliminary squad |
Overview | ||||
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Event | 1st place | 2nd place | 3rd place | 4th place |
Summer Olympics | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
AFC U-23 Asian Cup | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Total | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
AFC U-23 Asian Cup
Asian GamesMain article: Football at the Asian Games
WAFF U-23 Championship
Minor tournaments
Honours
See alsoReferencesExternal links
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