Iraq boss Srečko Katanec has named a 24-man squad for the upcoming World Cup/Asian Cup qualifying matches against Hong Kong and Cambodia.
Jiloan Hamad receives his first call-up after opting to represent the Lions of Mesopotamia internationally. Ali Faez is back in the squad after being excluded from the Bahrain game, Najm Shwan drops out in his place.
Hussein Ali joins the Iraq injury list after suffering a fractured ankle in the 1-1 draw in Manama. He is replaced by Mohammed Qasim of Al-Jawiya, who’ll be hoping to make his first competitive appearance in the national team. Fahad Talib also returns to the set-up.
Katanec’s men will be looking to capitalise on competitive matches being back in home soil. Hong Kong the first visitors since FIFA’s clearance and they’ll take on a heavily supported XI come next Thursday in Basra. A trip to Cambodia five days later, October 15th, is also on the cards and the Lions will be seeking maximum points. Winning the group or finishing as one of the four best second-placed teams will secure qualification for the next round of World Cup qualifiers and seal a place in the 2023 Asian Cup.
Goalkeepers:
Mohammed Hameed (Al-Shorta)
Mohammed Salih (Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya)
Fahad Talib (Al-Zawraa)
Defenders:
Alaa Mhawi (Al-Shorta)
Mustafa Mohammed (Al-Zawraa)
Ali Adnan (Vancouver Whitecaps, Canada)
Dhurgham Ismail (Al-Shorta)
Ahmed Ibrahim (Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya)
Saad Natiq (Al-Shorta)
Rebin Sulaka (Radnički Niš, Serbia)
Maitham Jabbar (Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya)
Ali Faez (Al-Shorta)
Midfielders:
Humam Tariq (Ismaily, Egypt)
Jiloan Hamad (HNK Gorica, Croatia)
Justin Meram (Atlanta United, USA)
Ahmed Yasin (BK Häcken, Sweden)
Safaa Hadi (Al-Shorta)
Amjad Attwan (Al-Shorta)
Bashar Resan (Persepolis, Iran)
Mohammed Qasim (Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya)
Ibrahim Bayesh (Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya)
Attackers:
Mohanad Ali (Al-Duhail, Qatar)
Alaa Abbas (Al-Zawraa)
Alaa Abdul-Zahra (Al-Shorta)
