Many Iraqis were forced to leave their homeland after the 2003 invasion of Iraq and had started their lives elsewhere. A number of young Iraqi talents appeared in Europe , North America and Australia with their teams for the age groups, and after their distinction, the technical staff of their clubs decided to transfer them to the first team in the club. They are now known inside Iraq as expatriate players or Iraqi professionals at times, and Iraqi football has many talents in the diaspora, especially those born in Europe, or of Iraqi origin, on the father’s or mother’s side. Some of them represented the national team and the age group teams. Some of them are like the age group teams of those countries.
The players marked in bold represented the Iraqi national teams.
The level of the leagues in which the players play has been classified as 1, 2, 3, 4....etc, regardless of the designations in those countries.
Iraq
These are the players that play in Iraq currently but started their careers elsewhere.
Worldwide
Australia
Mario Shabow during his time at Western Sydney Wanderers . Raised in Australia, Shabow was born in Baghdad to Assyrian parents and is yet to represent the national team.
Belgium
Canada
Player
Date of birth
Club
Position
Height
Preferred foot
Refs
Ameer Kinani
(2001-04-20 ) 20 April 2001 (age 23)
Vancouver FC (#10)
Striker
1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Right
[13]
Hazim Hussein Qadheeb
2007
Toronto FC youth
Right-back
Czech Republic
Player
Date of birth
Club
Position
Height
Preferred foot
Refs
Merchas Doski
(1999-12-07 ) 7 December 1999 (age 24)
FC Slovácko (#14)
Left-back
173 cm (5 ft 8 in)
Left
[14]
Ibrahim Aldin
(2002-04-25 ) 25 April 2002 (age 22)
SK Líšeň (#14)
Central midfielder
175 cm (5 ft 9 in)
Right
[15]
Jakub Yunis
(1996-03-25 ) 25 March 1996 (age 28)
Unattached
Forward
191 cm (6 ft 3 in)
Right
[16]
Denmark
Kevin Yakob pictured in a IFK Göteborg kit. Born in Sweden, Yakob is of Assyrian ehtnicity from the city of Mosul and is now in line to represent the national team.
England
Zidane Iqbal coming on as an 89th minute substitute for Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League . The central midfielder has maternal roots from the Iraqi city of Samawah and started off representing the Iraqi Olympic team , and has represented the national team thrice.
Finland
Player
Date of birth
Club
Position
Height
Preferred Foot
Refs
André Alsanati
(2000-01-06 ) 6 January 2000 (age 24)
AC Oulu
Right-winger
164 cm (5 ft 4+ 1 ⁄2 in)
Left
[32]
Mustafa Abdulmuttaleb
(2006-06-08 ) 8 June 2006 (age 18)
HJK Helsinki youth
Left-back
Arez Ghoshnaw
(2005-02-10 ) 10 February 2005 (age 19)
FC Honka youth (#75)
Central midfielder
Arjan Goljahanpoor
(1995-07-06 ) 6 July 1995 (age 29)
JJK Jyväskylä (#9)
Left winger
181 cm (5 ft 11+ 1 ⁄2 in)
Dario Naamo
(2005-05-14 ) 14 May 2005 (age 19)
SJK Seinäjoki (#26)
Right-back
174 cm (5 ft 8+ 1 ⁄2 in)
Right
Ibrahim Mohammed Abdullah
FC Honka youth
Defender
Mahmoud Aeisar Mohammed
2008
Grankulla IFK youth
Forward
186 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Qassur Ali
2007
Käpylän Pallo
Centre-forward
Malec Mahdi
2008
Espoon Palloseura
Central Midfielder
183 cm (6 ft 0 in)
France
Player
Date of birth
Club
Position
Height
Preferred Foot
Refs
Ahmad Allée
(1996-04-29 ) 29 April 1996 (age 28)
FC Rouen (#17)
Central midfielder
172 cm (5 ft 7+ 1 ⁄2 in)
Right
[33]
Germany
Hong Kong
Player
Date of birth
Club
Position
Height
Preferred foot
Refs
Jiloan Hamad
(1990-11-06 ) 6 November 1990 (age 33)
Lee Man FC (#14)
Central midfielder
173 cm (5 ft 8 in)
Right
[38]
Iceland
Player
Date of birth
Club
Position
Height
Preferred foot
Refs
Sami Kamel
(1993-12-16 ) 16 December 1993 (age 30)
Knattspyrnudeild Keflavík (#23)
Attacking midfielder
184 cm (6 ft 1 ⁄2 in)
Right
[39]
Italy
Player
Date of birth
Club
Position
Height
Preferred foot
Refs
Adam Rasheed
(2006-07-10 ) 10 July 2006 (age 18)
Torino Primavera (#)
Centre-back
183 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Right
[40]
Schuan Marco Muhammad
(2003-04-07 ) 7 April 2003 (age 21)
Unknown
Right-winger
185 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Right
Mexico
Player
Date of birth
Club
Position
Height
Preferred Foot
Refs
Yohan Zetuna
(2000-05-31 ) 31 May 2000 (age 24)
Tlaxcala (#22)
Centre-back
184 cm (6 ft 1 ⁄2 in)
Right
[41]
Yousuf Zetuna
(1999-03-10 ) 10 March 1999 (age 25)
Unattached
Centre-forward
183 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Right
[42]
Netherlands
Player
Date of birth
Club
Position
Height
Preferred Foot
Refs
Danilo Al-Saed
(1999-02-24 ) 24 February 1999 (age 25)
SC Heerenveen (#24)
Left-winger
178 cm (5 ft 10 in)
Right
[43]
Zidane Iqbal
(2003-04-27 ) 27 April 2003 (age 21)
FC Utrecht (#14)
Central midfielder
181 cm (5 ft 11+ 1 ⁄2 in)
Right
[44]
Hussein Ali
(2002-03-01 ) 1 March 2002 (age 22)
SC Heerenveen (#15)
Right-back
183 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Right
[45]
Blnd Hassan
(2003-08-12 ) 12 August 2003 (age 20)
De Graafschap (#26)
Left-winger
183 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Right
[46]
Manuel Iylia
(2004-05-05 ) 5 May 2004 (age 20)
Twente U21
Central midfielder
168 cm (5 ft 6 in)
Right
Arian Sevok
(1998-03-25 ) 25 March 1998 (age 26)
NSC Nijkerk (#25)
Goalkeeper
180 cm (5 ft 11 in)
Right
[47]
Masies Artien
(1993-08-08 ) 8 August 1993 (age 30)
SV Spakenburg (#3)
Centre-back
188 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Right
[48]
Roman Doulashi
(2005-08-07 ) 7 August 2005 (age 18)
Roda JC U21
Centre-back
193 cm (6 ft 4 in)
Left
[49]
Osama Rashid
(1992-01-17 ) 17 January 1992 (age 32)
Unattached
Defensive midfielder
180 cm (5 ft 11 in)
Right
[50]
Norway
Player
Date of birth
Club
Position
Height
Preferred Foot
Refs
Hayder Altai
(1998-07-08 ) 8 July 1998 (age 26)
Skeid Oslo (#17)
Centre-back
193 cm (6 ft 4 in)
Right
[51]
Marko Farji
(2004-03-16 ) 16 March 2004 (age 20)
Strømsgodset (#55)
Left-winger
184 cm (6 ft 1 ⁄2 in)
Right
[52]
Mohammed Abbas
(2000-02-18 ) 18 February 2000 (age 24)
KFUM Oslo (#22)
Centre-Back
Right
Aimar Sher
(2002-12-20 ) 20 December 2002 (age 21)
Sarpsborg 08 (#99)
Central midfielder
175 cm (5 ft 9 in)
Right
[53]
Poland
Player
Date of birth
Club
Position
Height
Preferred foot
Refs
Amir Al-Ammari
(1997-07-27 ) 27 July 1997 (age 26)
KS Cracovia
Central midfielder
182 cm (5 ft 11+ 1 ⁄2 in)
Left
[54]
Portugal
Player
Date of birth
Club
Position
Height
Preferred foot
Refs
Ali Al-Mosawe
(2002-01-28 ) 28 January 2002 (age 22)
Estrela da Amadora (#)
Right-winger
167 cm (5 ft 5+ 1 ⁄2 in)
Left
[55]
Romania
Player
Date of birth
Club
Position
Height
Preferred Foot
Refs
Hussein Shehait
(2006-01-21 ) 21 January 2006 (age 18)
CSA Steaua București youth
Centre-back
Spain
Player
Date of birth
Club
Position
Height
Preferred Foot
Refs
Noah Darvich
(2006-09-25 ) 25 September 2006 (age 17)
FC Barcelona Atlètic (#21)
Attacking midfielder
184 cm (6 ft 1 ⁄2 in)
Left
[56]
Ali Mohammad Hatem
(2002-11-08 ) 8 November 2002 (age 21)
Las Rozas B
Left-winger
182 cm (5 ft 11+ 1 ⁄2 in)
Right
Kaleem Shabout
(2001-01-18 ) 18 January 2001 (age 23)
RSD Alcalá
Centre-back
196 cm (6 ft 5 in)
Right
[57]
Maill Lundgren
(2001-06-01 ) 1 June 2001 (age 23)
Real Murcia
Midfielder
177 cm (5 ft 9+ 1 ⁄2 in)
Right
[58]
Sweden
Player
Date of birth
Club
Position
Height
Preferred foot
Refs
Montader Madjed
(2005-04-07 ) 7 April 2005 (age 19)
Hammarby IF (Allsvenskan) (#38)
Right-winger
182 cm (5 ft 11+ 1 ⁄2 in)
Left
[59]
Ahmed Qasem
(2003-07-12 ) 12 July 2003 (age 21)
IF Elfsborg (Allsvenskan) (#18)
Right-winger
183 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Left
[60]
Allan Mohideen
(1993-11-11 ) 11 November 1993 (age 30)
Utsiktens BK (Superettan ) (#4)
Right-back
176 cm (5 ft 9+ 1 ⁄2 in)
Right
[61]
Pashang Abdulla
(1994-05-29 ) 29 May 1994 (age 30)
Degerfors IF (Superettan) (#13)
Centre-forward
184 cm (6 ft 1 ⁄2 in)
[62]
Sumar Almadjed
(1996-03-13 ) 13 March 1996 (age 28)
Helsingborgs IF (Superettan) (#8)
Central midfielder
183 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Right
[63]
Amar Muhsin
(1997-12-27 ) 27 December 1997 (age 26)
IK Brage (Superettan)
Centre-forward
190 cm (6 ft 3 in)
Left
[64]
Amin Al-Hamawi
(2003-12-17 ) 17 December 2003 (age 20)
Sandvikens IF (Superettan)
Centre-forward
181 cm (5 ft 11+ 1 ⁄2 in)
Right
[65]
Ahmed Yasin
(1991-04-22 ) 22 April 1991 (age 33)
Örebro SK (Superettan)
Right-winger
184 cm (6 ft 1 ⁄2 in)
Right
[66]
Peter Gwargis
(2000-09-04 ) 4 September 2000 (age 23)
Örebro SK loan (Superettan) (#)
Right-winger
180 cm (5 ft 11 in)
Left
[67]
Lucas Shlimon
(2003-02-15 ) 15 February 2003 (age 21)
Örebro SK (Superettan) (#22)
Central midfielder
Right
[68]
Hady Saleh Karim
(1997-09-11 ) 11 September 1997 (age 26)
Trelleborgs FF (Superettan) (#)
Central midfielder
[69]
Alai Ghasem
(2003-02-16 ) 16 February 2003 (age 21)
AFC Eskilstuna loan (Ettan ) (#27)
Right-back
184 cm (6 ft 1 ⁄2 in)
Right
[70]
Josef Al-Imam
(2004-07-27 ) 27 July 2004 (age 19)
BK Olympic (Ettan) (#3)
Centre-back
184 cm (6 ft 1 ⁄2 in)
Left
[71]
Lass Hamawand
(2004-07-26 ) 26 July 2004 (age 19)
Torns IF (Ettan) (#22)
Central midfielder
[72]
Mustafa Omran Saleh
(2004-04-27 ) 27 April 2004 (age 20)
Ljungskile SK (Ettan)
Centre-back
192 cm (6 ft 3+ 1 ⁄2 in)
Right
[73]
Hani Nesajer
(2005-01-10 ) 10 January 2005 (age 19)
Österlen FF
Goalkeeper
[74]
Marwan Baze
(1998-02-03 ) 3 February 1998 (age 26)
IF Sylvia
Central midfielder
183 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Right
[75]
Al-Hussain Shaker
Östers IF youth
Central midfielder
Right
Ahmed Saeed
Djurgårdens IF youth
Right-winger
Nadeem Omar
(2001-08-20 ) 20 August 2001 (age 22)
Unattached
Goalkeeper
187 cm (6 ft 1+ 1 ⁄2 in)
Right
[76]
Martin Haddad
(1999-09-08 ) 8 September 1999 (age 24)
Unattached
Centre-back
182 cm (5 ft 11+ 1 ⁄2 in)
Right
[77]
Abbas Mohamad
(1998-06-15 ) 15 June 1998 (age 26)
Unattached
Centre-back
186 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Right
[78]
Rebin Sulaka
(1992-04-12 ) 12 April 1992 (age 32)
Unattached
Centre-back
192 cm (6 ft 3+ 1 ⁄2 in)
Right
[79]
Thailand
Turkey
Player
Date of birth
Club
Position
Refs
Ali Ali
(2005-01-04 ) 4 January 2005 (age 19)
Esenler Erokspor youth
Goalkeeper
[81]
United States of America
Mohanad Jeahze playing for Hammarby . The left-back has roots from the Iraqi city of Samawah and has represented the national team 4 times.
Retired players
These are expatriate Iraqi players formerly selected and now retired.
Player
Date of birth
Int. caps
Int. goals
Position
Height
Preferred foot
Refs
Anmar Almubaraki
(1991-07-01 ) 1 July 1991 (age 33)
1
0
Attacking midfielder
173 cm (5 ft 8 in)
Right
[85]
Brwa Nouri
(1987-01-23 ) 23 January 1987 (age 37)
9
1
Defensive midfielder
177 cm (5 ft 9+ 1 ⁄2 in)
Right
[86]
David Haidar
(1992-06-05 ) 5 June 1992 (age 32)
0
0
Centre-back
188 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Right
[87]
Hawbir Mustafa
(1993-09-23 ) 23 September 1993 (age 30)
1
0
Right-back
173 cm (5 ft 8 in)
Left
[88]
Kais Al-Ani
(1997-03-29 ) 29 March 1997 (age 27)
0
0
Goalkeeper
196 cm (6 ft 5 in)
Left
[89]
Murad Gerdi
(1986-03-07 ) 7 March 1986 (age 38)
1
0
Defensive midfielder
174 cm (5 ft 8+ 1 ⁄2 in)
Right
[90]
Rebin Asaad
(1994-10-31 ) 31 October 1994 (age 29)
0
0
Defensive midfielder
175 cm (5 ft 9 in)
Right
[91]
Shwan Jalal
(1983-08-14 ) 14 August 1983 (age 40)
0
0
Goalkeeper
188 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Left
[92]
Yaser Kasim
(1991-05-10 ) 10 May 1991 (age 33)
21
3
Central midfielder
181 cm (5 ft 11+ 1 ⁄2 in)
Right
[93]
References
General Statistics Venues Results Players Goals World Cup Finals Asian Cup Finals Other tournaments Noted rivalries Notable matches Other FA teams
West Asia (WAFF ) Central Asia (CAFA ) South Asia (SAFF ) East Asia (EAFF ) Southeast Asia (AFF ) Defunct Former