On Saturday, Nashville SC midfielder Ahmed Qasem was included in Iraq's preliminary 34-man roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
غراهام ارنولد يعلن لكم القائمة النهائية للمنتخب الوطني العراقي لخوض المعسكر التدريبي في إسبانيا قبل المغادرة إلى نهائيات كأس العالم🏆🇮🇶.
— Iraq National Team (@IraqNT_EN) May 19, 2026
Graham Arnold announces the squad of the Iraqi National Team for the Spain camp before the 2026 World Cup🇮🇶🏆 pic.twitter.com/OQg3mWXn84
Qasem, 22, has filed a one-time switch with FIFA to represent the country of his heritage, after playing for his native Sweden at the youth national team levels. Iraq have qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1986, just their second-ever time in the sport's most prestigious event.
Born in Motala, Sweden, Qasem scored four goals in 16 appearances for Sweden through the U21 levels. Before signing with Nashville ahead of the 2025 season for a reported $4.2 million transfer fee, Qasem played for Elfsborg in the Swedish top flight, scoring 11 goals in 90 matches, including eight appearances and a goal in the UEFA Europa League.
In all competitions for Nashville, Qasem has scored five goals in 50 appearances.
Iraq will kick off their World Cup campaign against Norway on June 16 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. They'll play France (June 22) and Senegal (June 26) as they look to get out of Group I and advance to the knockout rounds for the first time in their history. Iraq have never won a match at a World Cup.
