The Iraq national team defeats Andorra in a friendly match held in Spain as part of preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The match marked an important step in the Lions of Mesopotamia’s training camp as the team continues to build readiness for upcoming international fixtures.
Earlier, the Iraqi Football Association announced the starting lineup for the friendly encounter.
Friendly match kicks off with announced lineup
The international friendly between Iraq and Andorra kicked off on Friday, with the coaching staff using the match to assess player form and tactical readiness.
The starting lineup included:
Fahad Talib
Ahmed Yahya
Zaid Tahseen
Akam Hashem
Mustafa Saadoun
Aymen Sher
Zidane Iqbal
Marko Faraj
Ahmed Qasim
Mohanad Ali
Ali Youssef
Ali Youssef secures 1-0 victory
Iraq secured a 1-0 win thanks to a goal by Ali Youssef in the 20th minute of the match.
The early strike proved decisive, with Iraq maintaining control to see out the game.
The result offers a morale boost as the team continues its preparations for the World Cup finals.
Next test against Spain
Iraq is scheduled to face Spain next Thursday at Deportivo La Coruña’s Riazor Stadium.
The match forms part of a broader preparation program aimed at strengthening team cohesion and testing tactical strategies against high-level opposition.
Preparation objectives
The current training phase focuses on:
Improving tactical coordination
Enhancing physical readiness
Gaining experience against diverse playing styles
Conclusion:
As the Iraq national team defeats Andorra, the victory provides positive momentum ahead of more challenging friendlies. With the upcoming match against Spain, the Lions of Mesopotamia continue fine-tuning preparations for World Cup 2026.
