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Iraq national under-23 football team facts for kids

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Quick facts for kids
Iraq U-23
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s) Usood al-Rafidayn
(Lions of Mesopotamia)
Association IFA
Confederation AFC (Asia)
Sub-confederation WAFF (West Asia)
Head coach vacant
FIFA code IRQ
First colours
Second colours
First international
Qatar  0–0  Iraq
(Doha, Qatar; 22 September 1995)
Biggest win
Iraq  13–0  Macau
(Kuwait City, Kuwait; 6 September 2023)
Biggest defeat
Jordan  5–0  Iraq
(Amman, Jordan; 10 July 1999)
Summer Olympics
Appearances 6 (first in 1980)
Best result Fourth place (2004)
Asian Games
Appearances 2 (first in 2006)
Best result Silver medalists (2006)
AFC U-23 Asian Cup
Appearances 6 (first in 2013)
Best result Champions (2013)
Website Website

The Iraq national under-23 football team (also known as Iraq Olympic football team) represents Iraq in international under-23 football, Summer Olympics and at the Asian Games, The team is controlled by the governing body for football in Iraq, the Iraq Football Association (IFA).

Iraq reached fourth place in the 2004 Olympic Games and were champions in the 2013 AFC U-22 Championship and 2023 WAFF U-23 Championship. Other achievements include silver medalist in the 2006 Asian Games and bronze medalist in the 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup and the 2014 Asian Games.

History

Summer Olympics

2004 Athens Olympics

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.

2016 Rio Olympics

Iraq men's football team 2016 Olympics
Iraq line-up before a match with Brazil at the 2016 Rio Olympics

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.

AFC U-23 Asian Cup

2013 AFC U-22 Championship

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. Amjad Kalaf was named the most valuable player of the tournament.

2016 AFC U-23 Championship

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.

2018 AFC U-23 Championship

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.

2020 AFC U-23 Championship

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.

2022 AFC U-23 Asian Cup

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 Rammdan 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.

2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup

Iraq were drawn into a group alongside Thailand, Tajikistan, and Saudi Arabia.

In the first match, Thailand emerged victorious with a stunning 2-0 win over Iraq. Iraq defeated Tajikistan and Saudi Arabia, securing their place as group winners. Iraq faced Vietnam in the quarterfinals, and in a fiercely contested match, booking their ticket to the semifinals. However, Iraq succumbed to a 2-0 defeat against Japan in the semifinals.

In the playoff for third place, Iraq faced Indonesia in a showdown for bronze. Iraq emerged victorious, securing a 2-1 win and clinched third place in the tournament. This also earned them a spot in the 2024 Olympics. On the individual front, Ali Jasim finished as the top scorer of the tournament with four goals and two assists.

Recent results and fixtures

Main article: Iraq national under-23 football team results
  • The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
Legend

      Win       Draw       Lose

2023

2024

Coaching staff

Position Name
Head coach Iraq Radhi Shenaishil
Assistant coach Iraq Nazar Ashraf
Goalkeeping coach Iraq Saleh Hameed
Fitness coach Iraq Ismail Salim
Team analyst Iraq Abdul-Amir Naji
Team manager Iraq Abdul-Jabbar Hashim
Media coordinator Iraq Maher Hassan

Players

Current squad

The following 22 players were named in the final squad for the 2024 Olympics.
Caps and goals correct as of 30 July 2024 after game against Morocco
Match details of the following matches are not known, thus excluded: Oman (2023), UAE, Japan, Egypt (2024).

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Hussein Hassan (2002-11-15) 15 November 2002 (age 22) 10 0 Iraq Al-Karkh
12 1GK Kumel Al-Rekabe (2004-08-19) 19 August 2004 (age 20) 10 0 Spain Leganés B
22 1GK Hassan Abbas (2001-01-06) 6 January 2001 (age 24) 3 0 Iraq Diyala
2 2DF Josef Al-Imam (2004-07-27) 27 July 2004 (age 20) 19 0 Sweden Olympic
3 2DF Hussein Ali (2002-03-01) 1 March 2002 (age 23) 3 0 Netherlands Heerenveen
4 2DF Saad Natiq* (1994-03-19) 19 March 1994 (age 30) 9 0 Iraq Al-Talaba
5 2DF Ahmed Maknzi (2001-09-24) 24 September 2001 (age 23) 20 1 Iraq Al-Najaf
6 2DF Zaid Tahseen (2001-01-29) 29 January 2001 (age 24) 25 2 Iraq Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya
13 2DF Karrar Saad (2001-03-22) 22 March 2001 (age 23) 23 1 Iraq Al-Talaba
17 2DF Mustafa Saadoon (2001-05-25) 25 May 2001 (age 23) 20 2 Iraq Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya
20 2DF Hussein Amer (2002-04-28) 28 April 2002 (age 22) 15 0 Iraq Al-Minaa
7 3MF Ali Jasim (2004-01-20) 20 January 2004 (age 21) 16 10 Italy Como
8 3MF Ibrahim Bayesh* (2000-05-01) 1 May 2000 (age 24) 7 0 Saudi Arabia Al-Riyadh
10 3MF Youssef Amyn (2003-08-21) 21 August 2003 (age 21) 3 0 Saudi Arabia Al-Wehda
11 3MF Muntadher Mohammed (2001-06-05) 5 June 2001 (age 23) 29 3 Iran Esteghlal
14 3MF Karrar Mohammed (2001-01-06) 6 January 2001 (age 24) 25 0 Iraq Al-Talaba
15 3MF Nihad Mohammed (2001-01-14) 14 January 2001 (age 24) 20 0 Iraq Al-Talaba
16 3MF Montader Abdel Amir (2001-10-06) 6 October 2001 (age 23) 25 1 Iraq Al-Zawraa
19 3MF Blnd Hassan (2003-08-12) 12 August 2003 (age 21) 13 4 Netherlands De Graafschap
9 4FW Hussein Abdullah (2001-01-01) 1 January 2001 (age 24) 17 12 Iraq Al-Talaba
18 4FW Aymen Hussein* (1996-03-22) 22 March 1996 (age 28) 17 13 Qatar Al-Khor
21 4FW Ridha Fadhil (2001-04-01) 1 April 2001 (age 23) 16 6 Iraq Amanat Baghdad

* Overage player.

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up within 12 months


Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Mohammed Hasan (2002-07-30) 30 July 2002 (age 22) 2 0 Iraq Al-Talaba Training camp, January 2024
GK Jaafar Shenaishil (2003-04-26) 26 April 2003 (age 21) 0 0 Iraq Al-Minaa Training camp, January 2024
GK Ahmed Shaker (1998-09-19) 19 September 1998 (age 26) 0 0 Iraq Naft Al-Basra Training camp, November 2023
GK Ridha Abdulaziz 2 0 Iraq Al-Najaf Training camp, October 2023
DF Roman Doulashi (2005-08-07) 7 August 2005 (age 19) 1 0 Netherlands Roda U21 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup
DF Halo Fayaq (2001-05-23) 23 May 2001 (age 23) 3 1 Iraq Erbil 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup
DF Hassan Khalid (2003-05-21) 21 May 2003 (age 21) 2 1 Iraq Al-Karkh 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup
DF Adam Rasheed (2006-07-10) 10 July 2006 (age 18) 1 0 Slovenia Maribor Training camp, January 2024
DF Mujtaba Saleh 2 0 Iraq Al-Karkh Training camp, January 2024
DF Abdulrahman Zaid 0 0 Iraq Duhok Training camp, January 2024
DF Mustafa Walid (2002-04-28) 28 April 2002 (age 22) 8 1 Iraq Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya Training camp, November 2023
DF Kadhim Raad Hatem (2003-03-05) 5 March 2003 (age 22) 8 0 Iraq Al-Zawraa Training camp, November 2023
DF Mustafa Saleh (2004-04-27) 27 April 2004 (age 20) 2 0 Sweden Örebro Syrianska
MF Ali Almosawe (2002-01-28) 28 January 2002 (age 23) 13 2 Denmark Hillerød 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup
MF Zaid Ismael (2002-03-01) 1 March 2002 (age 23) 13 0 Iraq Al-Talaba 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup
MF Mohammed Haitham 0 0 Iraq Al-Kahrabaa 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup INJ
MF Ako Hzair (2002-01-01) 1 January 2002 (age 23) 1 0 Iraq Duhok Training camp, January 2024
MF Baqer Attwan (2002-01-20) 20 January 2002 (age 23) 2 0 Iraq Al-Hudood Training camp, January 2024
MF Amir Hassan 0 0 Iraq Al-Najaf Training camp, January 2024
MF Nour Al-Mustafa Ghanim 0 0 Iraq Karbala Training camp, January 2024
MF Alexander Aoraha (2003-01-17) 17 January 2003 (age 22) 12 5 England Queens Park Rangers U21 Training camp, November 2023
MF Marko Farji (2004-03-16) 16 March 2004 (age 20) 7 0 Norway Strømsgodset Training camp, November 2023
MF Amir Faisal (2005-05-01) 1 May 2005 (age 19) 5 1 Iraq Al-Kahrabaa Training camp, October 2023
FW Amin Al-Hamawi (2003-12-17) 17 December 2003 (age 21) 9 1 Sweden Sandviken 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup
FW Salem Ahmed (2002-03-24) 24 March 2002 (age 22) 3 0 Iraq Al-Minaa 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup
FW Omar Abdul-Mujbas 0 0 Iraq Al-Jolan 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup INJ
FW Zidane Abduljabbar (2000-06-03) 3 June 2000 (age 24) 11 0 Iraq Al-Shorta Training camp, January 2024
FW Siyaband Ageed (2001-06-03) 3 June 2001 (age 23) 3 1 Iraq Duhok Training camp, January 2024
FW Sajjad Alaa (2003-05-03) 3 May 2003 (age 21) 0 0 Iraq Al-Minaa Training camp, January 2024
FW Karrar Alaa (2001-01-27) 27 January 2001 (age 24) 1 1 Iraq Al-Kahrabaa Training camp, January 2024
FW Dhulfiqar Younis (2001-05-27) 27 May 2001 (age 23) 8 3 Iraq Duhok Training camp, November 2023

PRE Part of the preliminary squad
INJ Player injured
CLB Player refused by club or unable to attend due to club commitments
IRQ Player moved up to the first team
OVR Player overaged and ineligible to represent this age group
WD Player withdrew for non-injury related reasons

Previous squads

Bold indicates winning squads

Overage players

Football at the Summer Olympics, the Asian Games and the Islamic Solidarity Games have required that under-23 players enter the competitions, but they have allowed three overage players to be included in one squad. These three players are called the "wild cards".

Summer Olympics

Tournament Player 1 Player 2 Player 3
2004
 Haidar Abdul-Jabar (DF) Abdul-Wahab Abu Al-Hail (MF) Razzaq Farhan (FW)
2016
 Ahmed Ibrahim (DF) Saad Abdul-Amir (MF) Hammadi Ahmed (FW)
2024
 Saad Natiq (DF) Ibrahim Bayesh (MF) Aymen Hussein (FW)

Asian Games

Tournament Player 1 Player 2 Player 3
2014
 Salam Shaker (DF) Mahdi Karim (MF) Younis Mahmoud (FW)

Islamic Solidarity Games

Tournament Player 1 Player 2 Player 3
2013
 Hussein Abdul-Wahid (MF) Luay Salah (FW) Marwan Abbas Fadhel (FW)

Manager history

      Caretaker manager

No. Manager Year P W D L Win % Competition(s)
1 England William Asprey 1989–1990 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&06.&&&&&06 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&05.&&&&&05 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&01.&&&&&01 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&00.&&&&&00 &&&&&&&&&&&&&083.33000083.33 Stafford Challenge Cup Simple cup icon.svg champion
2 Iraq Anwar Jassam 1995–1996 &&&&&&&&&&&&&011.&&&&&011 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&05.&&&&&05 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&03.&&&&&03 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&03.&&&&&03 &&&&&&&&&&&&&045.45000045.45
3 Iraq Nazar Ashraf 1999 &&&&&&&&&&&&&012.&&&&&012 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&06.&&&&&06 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&04.&&&&&04 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&02.&&&&&02 &&&&&&&&&&&&&050.&&&&&050.00
— Iraq Najeh Humoud 2001 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&03.&&&&&03 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&00.&&&&&00 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&02.&&&&&02 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&01.&&&&&01 &0&&&&&&&&&&&&&&00.&&&&&00.00 —
4 Germany Bernd Stange 2002–2003 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&05.&&&&&05 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&03.&&&&&03 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&01.&&&&&01 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&01.&&&&&01 &&&&&&&&&&&&&060.&&&&&060.00
5 Iraq Adnan Hamad 2003–2004 &&&&&&&&&&&&&025.&&&&&025 &&&&&&&&&&&&&013.&&&&&013 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&04.&&&&&04 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&08.&&&&&08 &&&&&&&&&&&&&052.&&&&&052.00 2004 Summer Olympics fourth place
2003 Abha Championship Simple cup icon.svg champion
6 Iraq Yahya Alwan 2006–2007 &&&&&&&&&&&&&045.&&&&&045 &&&&&&&&&&&&&026.&&&&&026 &&&&&&&&&&&&&013.&&&&&013 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&06.&&&&&06 &&&&&&&&&&&&&057.78000057.78 2006 Asian Games Med 2.png silver medal
— Iraq Nadhim Shaker 2011 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&04.&&&&&04 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&02.&&&&&02 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&01.&&&&&01 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&01.&&&&&01 &&&&&&&&&&&&&050.&&&&&050.00 —
7 Iraq Radhi Shenaishil 2011–2012 &&&&&&&&&&&&&015.&&&&&015 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&05.&&&&&05 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&02.&&&&&02 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&08.&&&&&08 &&&&&&&&&&&&&033.33000033.33
8 Iraq Hakeem Shaker 2012 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&05.&&&&&05 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&03.&&&&&03 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&02.&&&&&02 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&00.&&&&&00 &&&&&&&&&&&&&060.&&&&&060.00
— Iraq Hadi Mutanash 2013 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&07.&&&&&07 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&01.&&&&&01 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&05.&&&&&05 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&01.&&&&&01 &&&&&&&&&&&&&014.29000014.29 2013 Islamic Solidarity Games group stage
9 Iraq Hakeem Shaker 2014 &&&&&&&&&&&&&019.&&&&&019 &&&&&&&&&&&&&015.&&&&&015 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&02.&&&&&02 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&02.&&&&&02 &&&&&&&&&&&&&078.95000078.95 2013 AFC U-22 Championship Simple cup icon.svg champion
2014 Asian Games Med 3.png bronze medal
10 Iraq Yahya Alwan 2015 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&07.&&&&&07 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&06.&&&&&06 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&01.&&&&&01 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&00.&&&&&00 &&&&&&&&&&&&&085.71000085.71
11 Iraq Abdul-Ghani Shahad 2015–2020 &&&&&&&&&&&&&041.&&&&&041 &&&&&&&&&&&&&025.&&&&&025 &&&&&&&&&&&&&012.&&&&&012 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&04.&&&&&04 &&&&&&&&&&&&&060.98000060.98 2016 AFC U-23 Championship Med 3.png third place
2016 Summer Olympics group stage
2018 AFC U-23 Championship quarter-finals
2020 AFC U-23 Championship group stage
12 Czech Republic Miroslav Soukup 2021–2022 &&&&&&&&&&&&&015.&&&&&015 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&07.&&&&&07 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&05.&&&&&05 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&03.&&&&&03 &&&&&&&&&&&&&046.67000046.67 2021 WAFF U-23 Championship semi-finals
2022 AFC U-23 Asian Cup quarter-finals
13 Iraq Radhi Shenaishil 2023–present &&&&&&&&&&&&&031.&&&&&031 &&&&&&&&&&&&&018.&&&&&018 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&05.&&&&&05 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&08.&&&&&08 &&&&&&&&&&&&&058.&6000058.06 2023 WAFF U-23 Championship Simple cup icon.svg champion
2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup Med 3.png third place
— Iraq Ehsan Turki 2024 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&03.&&&&&03 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&00.&&&&&00 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&01.&&&&&01 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&02.&&&&&02 &0&&&&&&&&&&&&&&00.&&&&&00.00 2024 WAFF U-23 Championship sixth place
Total &&&&&&&&&&&&0254.&&&&&0254 &&&&&&&&&&&&0140.&&&&&0140 &&&&&&&&&&&&&064.&&&&&064 &&&&&&&&&&&&&050.&&&&&050 &&&&&&&&&&&&&055.12000055.12 —

Competitive record

Overview
Event 1st place 2nd place 3rd place 4th place
Summer Olympics 0 0 0 1
AFC U-23 Asian Cup 1 0 2 0
Total 1 0 2 1

Summer Olympics

Main article: Iraq at the Olympics
Summer Olympics record Qualification record
Year Result Position Pld W D L GF GA Squad Pld W D L GF GA
1900–1988 See Iraq national football team See Iraq national football team
Spain 1992 Did not enter Did not enter
United States 1996 Did not qualify 9 4 3 2 14 8
Australia 2000 4 1 2 1 7 10
Greece 2004 Fourth place 4th 6 3 0 3 9 8 Squad 10 5 1 4 17 12
China 2008 Did not qualify 12 6 5 1 21 8
United Kingdom 2012 8 3 2 3 7 7
Brazil 2016 Group stage 12th 3 0 3 0 1 1 Squad 10 7 2 1 27 11
Japan 2020 Did not qualify 6 2 4 0 11 4
France 2024 Group stage 10th 3 1 0 2 3 7 Squad 9 6 1 2 30 10
United States 2028 To be determined To be determined
Australia 2032
Total Fourth place 3/9 12 4 3 5 13 16 — 68 34 20 14 134 70
Summer Olympics history
Year Round Score Result Goalscorers for Iraq
1900–1988
See Iraq national football team
2004 Group stage
 Iraq 4–2  Portugal Win E. Mohammed Goal 16', H. Mohammed Goal 29'
Mahmoud Goal 56', Sadir Goal 90+3'
 Iraq 2–0  Costa Rica Win H. Mohammed Goal 67', M. Karim Goal 72'
 Iraq 1–2  Morocco Loss Sadir Goal 63'
Quarter-finals
 Iraq 1–0  Australia Win E. Mohammed Goal 64'
Semi-finals
 Iraq 1–3  Paraguay Loss Farhan Goal 83'
Bronze medal
 Iraq 0–1  Italy Loss
2016 Group stage
 Iraq 0–0  Denmark Draw
 Iraq 0–0  Brazil Draw
 Iraq 1–1  South Africa Draw Abdul-Amir Goal 14'
2024 Group stage
 Iraq 2–1  Ukraine Win A. Hussein Goal 57', A. Jasim Goal 75'
 Iraq 1–3  Argentina Loss A. Hussein Goal 45+5'
 Iraq 0–3  Morocco Loss

AFC U-23 Asian Cup

AFC U-23 Asian Cup record Qualification record
Year Result Position GP W D* L GF GA Squad GP W D L GF GA
Oman 2013 Champions 1st 6 6 0 0 9 2 Squad 5 3 2 0 12 3
Qatar 2016 Third place 3rd 6 4 1 1 12 7 Squad 4 3 1 0 15 4
China 2018 Quarter-finals 6th 4 2 2 0 8 4 Squad 3 3 0 0 12 1
Thailand 2020 Group stage 10th 3 0 3 0 4 4 Squad 3 2 1 0 7 0
Uzbekistan 2022 Quarter-finals 6th 4 1 3 0 7 5 Squad 2 2 0 0 7 0
Qatar 2024 Third place 3rd 6 4 0 2 9 8 Squad 3 2 1 0 21 2
Saudi Arabia 2026 To be determined To be determined
Total Champions 6/6 29 17 9 3 49 30 — 20 15 5 0 74 10
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
AFC U-23 Asian Cup history
Year Round Score Result Goalscorers for Iraq
2013 Group stage
 Iraq 3–1  Saudi Arabia Win Ismail Goal 36', M. Hussein Goal 50', 69'
 Iraq 2–1  Uzbekistan Win M. Hussein Goal 10', Nadhim Goal 38'
 Iraq 1–0  China Win M. Hussein Goal 14' (pen.)
Quarterfinals
 Iraq 1–0  Japan Win Kalaf Goal 84'
Semifinals
 Iraq 1–0  South Korea Win Nadhim Goal 74'
Final
 Iraq 1–0  Saudi Arabia Win Abdul-Raheem Goal 33'
2016 Group stage
 Iraq 2–0  Yemen Win Faez Goal 36' (pen.), Husni Goal 39'
 Iraq 3–2  Uzbekistan Win Attwan Goal 38', Kamil Goal 43', Tariq Goal 84'
 Iraq 1–1  South Korea Draw Walid Goal 90+2'
Quarterfinals
 Iraq 3–1 (aet)  United Arab Emirates Win Husni Goal 77', Abdul-Raheem Goal 103', Walid Goal 120+3'
Semifinals
 Iraq 1–2  Japan Loss S. Natiq Goal 43'
3rd Place
 Iraq 2–1 (aet)  Qatar Win Abdul-Raheem Goal 86', A. Hussein Goal 109'}
2018 Group stage
 Iraq 4–1  Malaysia Win Jaffal Goal 5', Attwan Goal 28', Mhawi Goal 56', H. Ali Goal 81'
 Iraq 0–0  Saudi Arabia Draw
 Iraq 1–0  Jordan Win Resan Goal 49'
Quarterfinals
 Iraq 3–3 (aet)(pen 3-5)  Vietnam Draw A. Hussein Goal 29' (pen.), 94', Mhawi Goal 116'
2020 Group stage
 Iraq 1–1  Australia Draw Nassif Goal 77'
 Iraq 2–2  Bahrain Draw Al-Ammari Goal 65', Nassif Goal 90+2'
 Iraq 1–1  Thailand Draw Nassif Goal 49'
2022 Group stage
 Iraq 1–1  Jordan Draw Ramadhan Goal 69'
 Iraq 1–1  Australia Draw Abdulkareem Goal 56'
 Iraq 3–1  Kuwait Win M. Mohammed Goal 35', Abdulridha Goal 59', Al-Baqer Goal 82'
Quarterfinals
 Iraq 2–2 (aet)(pen 2-3)  Uzbekistan Draw Ramadhan Goal 19' (pen.), Ghaleb Goal 68'
2024 Group stage
 Iraq 0–2  Thailand Loss
 Iraq 4–2  Tajikistan Win M. Mohammed Goal 14', A. Jasim Goal 22' (pen.), Khalid Goal 56', K. Saad Goal 87'
 Iraq 2–1  Saudi Arabia Win A. Jasim Goal 45+1' (pen.), Saadoon Goal 63'
Quarterfinals
 Iraq 1–0  Vietnam Win A. Jasim Goal 64' (pen.)
Semifinals
 Iraq 0–2  Japan Loss
3rd Place
 Iraq 2–1 (aet)  Indonesia Win Tahseen Goal 27', A. Jasim Goal 96'

Asian Games

Main article: Football at the Asian Games
Asian Games record
Year Result Position GP W D* L GF GA Squad
1951–1998 See Iraq national football team
South Korea 2002 Banned due to Gulf War
Qatar 2006 Runners-up 2nd 9 6 1 2 17 3 Squad
China 2010 Did not enter
South Korea 2014 Third place 3rd 7 6 0 1 18 4 Squad
Indonesia 2018 Withdrew
China 2022 Did not enter
Total Runners-up 2/5 16 12 1 3 35 7 —
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
Asian Games history
Year Round Score Result Goalscorers for Iraq
1951–1998
See Iraq national football team
2006 Round 1
 Iraq 6–0  Indonesia Win K. Jassim Goal 18', Abid Ali Goal 24', Karim Goal 36' (pen.), 63',
Mansour Goal 82', Rehema Goal 89'
 Iraq 2–0  Singapore Win Karim Goal 5', Mahmoud Goal 7'
 Iraq 0–0  Syria Draw
Round 2
 Iraq 0–1  China Loss
 Iraq 2–0  Oman Win Rehema Goal 30', Abdul-Zahra Goal 45+2'
 Iraq 4–0  Malaysia Win Rehema Goal 14', Mahmoud Goal 54', 55', Karim Goal 65'
Quarterfinals
 Iraq 2–1 (aet)  Uzbekistan Win K. Jassim Goal 10', Mansour Goal 95'
Semifinals
 Iraq 1–0  South Korea Win S. Saeed Goal 24'
Final
 Iraq 0–1  Qatar Loss
2014 Group stage
 Iraq 4–0    Nepal Win Resan Goal 24', Mahmoud Goal 45+1', Chand Goal 85' (o.g.), Bahjat Goal 90+2'
 Iraq 3–1  Japan Win Tariq Goal 12', Adnan Goal 48', 72'
 Iraq 3–0  Kuwait Win Tariq Goal 16', 62', M. Hussein Goal 71'
Round of 16
 Iraq 4–2  Tajikistan Win Tariq Goal 7', Shaker Goal 47', Adnan Goal 62', Nadhim Goal 84'
Quarterfinals
 Iraq 3–0  Saudi Arabia Win Mahmoud Goal 10', 29', Al-Shamekh Goal 49' (o.g.)
Semifinals
 Iraq 0–1 (aet)  North Korea Loss
3rd Place
 Iraq 1–0  Thailand Win Mahmoud Goal 62'

WAFF U-23 Championship

WAFF U-23 Championship record
Year Result Position GP W D L GF GA Squad
Qatar 2015 did not enter
Saudi Arabia 2021 Semifinals 3rd 4 2 1 1 5 3 Squad
Saudi Arabia 2022 did not enter
Iraq 2023 Champions 1st 4 2 2 0 7 3 Squad
Saudi Arabia 2024 Sixth place 6th 3 0 1 2 3 6 Squad
Total Best: Champions 3/5 11 4 4 3 15 12 —
WAFF U-23 Championship history
Year Round Score Result Goalscorers for Iraq
2021 Group stage
 Iraq 1–0  [[Palestinian National Authority {{{altlink}}}|Palestinian National Authority]] Win Abdulkareem Goal 81'
 Iraq 2–0  United Arab Emirates Win Zamel Goal 41', Abdulameer Goal 90+2'
 Iraq 2–2  Lebanon Draw Iqbal Goal 15', Sartip Goal 55'
Semifinals
 Iraq 0–1  Saudi Arabia Loss
2023 Group stage
 Iraq 2–2  Jordan Draw B. Hassan Goal 19', Abdullah Goal 29'
 Iraq 3–0  United Arab Emirates Win B. Hassan Goal 26', Abdullah Goal 73', Almosawe Goal 87'
Semifinals
 Iraq 1–0  Oman Win Al-Rawahi Goal 52' (o.g.)
Final
 Iraq 1–1 (aet)(pen 5-4)  Iran Draw Abdullah Goal 45+3'
2024 Group stage
 Iraq 1–2  Australia Loss H. Jaafar Goal 49'
Classification semifinals
 Iraq 1–1 (aet)(pen 4-3)  United Arab Emirates Draw Sadiq Goal 53'
Fifth place play-off
 Iraq 1–3  Jordan Loss Bani Hani Goal 52' (o.g.)

Islamic Solidarity Games

Islamic Solidarity Games record
Year Result Position GP W D L GF GA Squad
Saudi Arabia 2005 did not enter
Iran 2010 cancelled
Indonesia 2013 Group stage 7th 3 0 2 1 4 5 Squad
Azerbaijan 2017 to Turkey 2021 did not enter
Total Group stage 1/4 3 0 1 2 4 5 —
Islamic Solidarity Games history
Year Round Score Result Goalscorers for Iraq
2013 Group stage
 Iraq 2–3  Turkey Loss Kalaf Goal 13', L. Salah Goal 68'
 Iraq 0–0  Syria Draw
 Iraq 2–2  Saudi Arabia Draw Walid Goal 48', Kalaf Goal 54'

Exhibition Tournaments

Exhibition Tournaments
Tournament Result GP W D L GF GA
India 1990 Stafford Cup Champions 5 4 1 0 18 1
Saudi Arabia 2003 Abha Championship Champions 6 4 2 0 14 7
United Arab Emirates 2012 Matchworld Cup Sixth place 3 1 0 2 3 4
United Arab Emirates 2022 Dubai Cup Seventh place 3 1 1 1 3 3
Qatar 2023 Doha Cup Fifth place 3 2 0 1 4 1
Exhibition Tournaments history
Year Round Score Result Goalscorers for Iraq
1990 Stafford Cup Group stage
 Iraq 1–1 India HASC Draw Kadhim Goal
 Iraq 5–0 India Titanium FC Win H. Ali Goal 46', H. Hadi Goal 52', Makki Goal 75', K. Muhsin Goal 58', 80'
 Iraq 2–0 India Indian Telephone Industries SC Win
Semifinals
 Iraq 8–0 India MGM SC Win
Final
 Iraq 2–0 India Mahindra United FC Win Kadhim Goal, Jeayer Goal
2003 Abha Championship Group stage
 Iraq 1–0  Saudi Arabia Win Mnajed Goal 32'
 Iraq 5–1 Saudi Arabia Al Nassr Win Mnajed Goal 33', Mahmoud Goal 35', 47', 58' (pen.), Sadir Goal 60'
 Iraq 1–1 Iran Fajr Sepasi Shiraz Draw Q. Munir Goal 67'
 Iraq 2–2  Senegal Draw Mahmoud Goal 12', N. Akram Goal 78' (pen.)
Semifinals
 Iraq 0–0 (aet) (4–3 p)  Syria Draw
Final
 Iraq 1–0  Morocco Win Mahmoud Goal 81'
2012 Matchworld Cup Group stage
 Iraq 1–0 Switzerland Neuchâtel Xamax Win W. Salim Goal 87' (pen.)
 Iraq 1–2 Russia Zenit St. Petersburg Loss Abdul-Raheem Goal 59'
Fifth place play-off
 Iraq 1–2 Russia Rostov Loss Abdul-Raheem Goal 24'
2022 Dubai Cup Round 1
 Iraq 0–0  Vietnam Draw
Round 2
 Iraq 1–2  Saudi Arabia Loss Ghalib Goal 44'
Round 3
 Iraq 2–1  Thailand Win Aoraha Goal 16', Ramadhan Goal 90+5'
2023 Doha Cup Round 1
 Iraq 3–0  Vietnam Win Almosawe Goal 45+1' (pen.), Maknzi Goal 60', D. Younis Goal 85'
Round 2
 Iraq 0–1  South Korea Loss
Round 3
 Iraq 1–0  Oman Win H. Abdullah Goal 77'

Honours

Intercontinental

Fourth place: 2004

Continental

Med 1.png Winners: 2013
Med 3.png Third place: 2016, 2024
Med 2.png Runners-up: 2006
Med 3.png Third place: 2014

Regional

  • WAFF U-23 Championship
Med 1.png Winners: 2023

Exhibition Tournaments

  • Stafford Challenge Cup
Med 1.png Winners: 1990
  • International Friendship Tournament (Abha)
Med 1.png Winners: 2003

Head-to-head record

As of 24 July 2024 after match against  Ukraine.

The following table shows Iraq under-23 team's all-time international record.

Key

     Positive balance (more wins than losses)      Neutral balance (as many wins as losses)      Negative balance (more losses than wins)

Iraq under-23 team head-to-head records
Against First Last GP W D L GF GA GD % Win Confederation
 Afghanistan 2017 2017 1 1 0 0 8 0 +8 100% AFC
 Algeria 2016 2016 2 1 0 1 3 4 −1 50% CAF
 Australia 2004 2022 7 1 5 1 3 4 −1 50% AFC
 Bahrain 2002 2021 7 4 2 1 13 6 +7 71.43% AFC
 Brazil 2016 2016 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 50% CONMEBOL
 China 1996 2015 5 3 0 2 4 7 −3 60% AFC
 Costa Rica 2004 2004 1 1 0 0 2 0 +2 100% CONCACAF
 Denmark 2016 2016 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 50% UEFA
 Dominican Republic 2023 2023 1 1 0 0 3 1 +2 100% CONCACAF
 East Timor 2023 2023 1 1 0 0 6 0 +6 100% AFC
 Egypt 2024 2024 2 1 0 1 2 2 0 50% CAF
 India 2007 2012 3 2 1 0 6 2 +4 83.33% AFC
 Indonesia 2006 2024 2 2 0 0 8 1 +7 100% AFC
 Iran 2011 2023 8 4 2 2 11 5 +6 56.25% AFC
 Italy 2004 2004 1 0 0 1 0 1 −1 0% UEFA
 Ivory Coast 2023 2023 1 0 0 1 0 4 −4 0% CAF
 Japan 1996 2024 6 2 1 3 6 7 −1 41.67% AFC
 Jordan 1995 2023 11 7 3 1 19 12 +7 77.27% AFC
 Kuwait 2004 2023 5 3 1 1 10 6 +4 70% AFC
 Lebanon 2007 2021 5 4 1 0 21 6 +15 90% AFC
 Macau 2023 2023 1 1 0 0 13 0 +13 100% AFC
 Malaysia 1999 2018 3 2 1 0 9 2 +7 83.33% AFC
 Maldives 2015 2021 2 2 0 0 11 1 +10 100% AFC
 Morocco 2003 2023 3 2 0 1 3 2 +1 66.67% CAF
   Nepal 2014 2014 1 1 0 0 4 0 +4 100% AFC
 North Korea 2003 2016 8 4 2 2 12 7 +5 62.5% AFC
 Oman 1996 2023 9 5 2 2 13 7 +6 66.67% AFC
 [[Palestinian National Authority {{{altlink}}}|Palestinian National Authority]] 2021 2021 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 100% AFC
 Paraguay 2004 2004 1 0 0 1 1 3 −2 0% CONMEBOL
 Portugal 2004 2004 1 1 0 0 4 2 +2 100% UEFA
 Qatar 1995 2019 6 3 1 2 7 6 +1 58.33% AFC
 Saudi Arabia 1996 2024 17 9 4 4 26 14 +12 64.71% AFC
 Senegal 2003 2003 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 50% CAF
 Singapore 2006 2006 1 1 0 0 2 0 +2 100% AFC
 South Africa 2016 2016 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 50% CAF
 South Korea 1996 2023 7 2 2 3 7 8 –1 28.57% AFC
 Sudan 2023 2023 2 1 1 0 5 3 +2 75% CAF
 Syria 2003 2017 7 3 4 0 11 3 +8 71.43% AFC
 Tajikistan 2014 2024 2 2 0 0 8 4 +4 100% AFC
 Thailand 2007 2024 7 3 3 1 7 6 +1 64.29% AFC
 Togo 2024 2024 1 1 0 0 3 2 +1 100% CAF
 Turkey 2013 2013 1 0 0 1 2 3 –1 0% UEFA
 Turkmenistan 2012 2019 2 2 0 0 6 0 +6 100% AFC
 United Arab Emirates 1996 2024 9 5 2 2 16 7 +9 66.67% AFC
 Ukraine 2024 2024 1 1 0 0 2 1 +1 100% UEFA
 United States 2023 2023 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 50% CONCACAF
 Uzbekistan 2006 2022 6 4 1 1 11 9 +2 75% AFC
 Vietnam 1999 2024 8 4 4 0 14 5 +9 75% AFC
 Yemen 2016 2023 3 3 0 0 10 0 +10 100% AFC
49 Countries 1995 2024 184 101 48 35 337 167 +170 54.89% FIFA
Last match updated was against  Ukraine Ukraine on 24 July 2024.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Selección de fútbol sub-23 de Irak para niños

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