AFC · Asia
Iraq
Lions of Mesopotamia — AFC Asian Cup Champions
Iraq defied the odds in 2007 to win the AFC Asian Cup and bring a moment of pure national joy to millions of people. The Lions of Mesopotamia showed the world that football can unite a nation through the toughest of times — and they continue to roar on the Asian stage.
🎸Hi, I am Oz!
Hi! I'm Oz! Iraq's 2007 AFC Asian Cup win is one of the most emotional stories in football history. Imagine winning a major tournament and bringing so much joy to your whole nation — that is exactly what the Lions of Mesopotamia did. Their story gives me goosebumps every time!
Quick Facts
Nickname
Lions of Mesopotamia / Usood al-Rafidain
Confederation
Asian Football Confederation (AFC)
Greatest Achievement
2007 AFC Asian Cup Winners
World Cup Appearances
1986 Mexico (only appearance to date)
Kit Colours
White shirts, green shorts — national colours
Football Association
Iraq Football Association — founded 1948
Discover Iraq
Iraq is a country in Western Asia, occupying the land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers — the region known throughout history as Mesopotamia, meaning "land between the rivers." This is widely considered the cradle of human civilisation, where some of the world's earliest cities, writing systems, and agricultural societies developed over 6,000 years ago. Ancient Babylon, Ur, and Nineveh all flourished on this extraordinary land, leaving a legacy that shaped all of human history.
Iraq is one of the world's largest oil producers and has the fifth largest proven oil reserves on the planet, concentrated in the southern regions around Basra. The Tigris and Euphrates rivers, which flow from Turkey through Iraq before joining and emptying into the Persian Gulf, have sustained agriculture and human settlement for millennia. Baghdad, the capital, was once the largest city in the world and the centre of the Islamic Golden Age when it was home to the greatest scholars, scientists, and mathematicians of the medieval world.
With a population of around 42 million people, Iraq is a diverse country home to Arabs, Kurds, Turkmen, and other communities alongside multiple religious traditions. Despite the challenges of recent decades, Iraq has a young and growing population with deep pride in their ancient heritage. Football is the most popular sport and unites Iraqis across all communities — the national team, the Lions of Mesopotamia, have won the AFC Asian Cup and are a source of immense national pride.
Map of Iraq
🌍 Where in the World
Flag of Iraq
Iraq's flag features three equal horizontal bands of red, white, and black — the Pan-Arab colours — with the Takbir ("Allahu Akbar," meaning God is Greatest) written in green Kufic script at the centre of the white band. The three colours represent the Arab Liberation movement, and the inscription reflects the country's Islamic identity.
⚽ The History of Football in Iraq
Football arrived in Iraq during the British Mandate in the early twentieth century, brought by British soldiers and administrators. The game spread quickly through Baghdad and other cities, becoming deeply embedded in Iraqi culture by the 1950s. The Iraq Football Association was founded in 1948, and Iraq joined FIFA the same year, beginning their journey on the international stage.
Iraq's finest moment came on 29 July 2007, in Jakarta, Indonesia. In the middle of an incredibly difficult period in the nation's history, the Iraqi national team won the AFC Asian Cup — defeating South Korea, Vietnam, South Korea again in the semi-final, and finally Saudi Arabia in the final. The celebrations that swept through Baghdad and across Iraq were extraordinary. Football had given people a reason to celebrate together when it was needed most.
Iraq's only World Cup appearance came in 1986 in Mexico, where they faced the legendary Belgium, Paraguay, and Mexico. Ahmad Radhi's goal against Belgium — a stunning long-range strike — became one of the most celebrated moments in Iraqi football history and is still talked about with enormous pride today.
Key Results
- 1986Group Stage (Mexico)
- 2007🏆 AFC Asian Cup Winners
- 2019AFC Asian Cup Group Stage
- 2023AFC Asian Cup Round of 16
- 2026World Cup Qualification campaign
2007
The year Iraq won the AFC Asian Cup — bringing joy to a nation that needed it most
✨ Did You Know?
Joy in the Streets
When Iraq won the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, millions of people celebrated in the streets of Baghdad and across the country. It was described as the greatest moment of collective joy the nation had experienced in many years — football brought people together.
Ahmad Radhi's Goal
At the 1986 World Cup, Iraqi striker Ahmad Radhi scored a brilliant goal against Belgium — becoming the first Iraqi to score at a World Cup finals. The goal is still celebrated as one of the greatest moments in Middle Eastern football history.
Lions of Mesopotamia
Iraq's nickname — the Lions of Mesopotamia, or Usood al-Rafidain in Arabic — refers to the ancient land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Mesopotamia is one of the oldest civilisations in history, and Iraqi football carries that proud heritage.
🌟 Famous Players
Iraq has produced outstanding footballers who have shone across Asia and brought pride to the Lions of Mesopotamia.
Ahmad Radhi
1977–1990Iraq's greatest ever player and one of the finest footballers in Asian history. He scored Iraq's iconic goal against Belgium at the 1986 World Cup — still regarded as one of the most celebrated moments in Middle Eastern football. His technique and vision were extraordinary.
Younis Mahmoud
1998–2013The hero of the 2007 AFC Asian Cup — Younis Mahmoud scored the winning header in the final against Saudi Arabia to deliver Iraq's greatest footballing triumph. He is Iraq's all-time leading scorer and was one of Asia's most prolific strikers throughout his career.
Nashat Akram
2001–2013A creative and technically brilliant midfielder who was central to Iraq's 2007 AFC Asian Cup triumph. Nashat Akram was one of Asia's most gifted playmakers of his generation, renowned for his precise passing and leadership in the middle of the park.
Ammo Baba
1957–1971Often called the greatest Iraqi footballer of all time, Ammo Baba was a skilful and powerful forward who later became a legendary national team coach. He is revered in Iraq as the father figure of Iraqi football and inspired generations of players.
Haidar Abd Al-Razzaq
2003–2013A key figure in Iraq's 2007 Asian Cup-winning team, Haidar was a dynamic forward whose pace and directness caused defenders serious problems throughout the tournament. He was one of the most exciting young players in Asian football at his peak.
📰 Recent Events
AFC Asian Cup — Round of 16
Iraq competed well at the 2023 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar, reaching the Round of 16. The squad showed strong team spirit and quality, demonstrating that Iraqi football continues to develop positively under strong coaching.
2026 World Cup Qualification
Iraq competed in the third round of AFC 2026 World Cup qualification — their strongest qualification campaign in decades. The Lions of Mesopotamia are chasing only their second ever World Cup appearance, which would be a historic achievement.
Youth Development Progress
Iraq's football federation has invested in youth academies and development programmes, aiming to build the next generation of Lions of Mesopotamia. The country's football infrastructure is steadily improving.
Road to the World Cup
Iraq continue their journey towards the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. A second World Cup appearance would be one of the greatest achievements in the nation's football history.
Explore More Football Nations
Iraq's 2007 AFC Asian Cup triumph is one of football's most moving stories — proof that sport can unite people and bring joy even in the most difficult of times. Explore more Asian football nations and discover the beautiful stories that make football the world's favourite game.