Iraq national under-23 football team

History

Summer Olympics

2004 Athens Olympics

After 16 years without participation, Iraq qualified for the 2004 Summer Olympics after winning the 2004 Olympic Asian Qualifiers under head coach Adnan Hamad and were scheduled to play against Costa Rica, Morocco and Portugal in the group stages. At the Olympics Iraq started with a shocking 4–2 win against Portugal. That was followed by a 2–0 win against Costa Rica and a 2–1 loss to Morocco. The quarter-finals saw them beat Australia 1–0, and in the semi-final against Paraguay, Iraq lost 3–1. In the bronze medal match, Iraq lost 1–0 to Italy and finished fourth.

2016 Rio Olympics

Iraq qualified for the 2016 Olympics by clinching third place at the 2016 AFC U-23 Championship. The first game saw Iraq play against Denmark, and the score turned out as a 0–0 draw, despite Iraq having 18 shots in the match. The second game was played against the hosts and pre-tournament favourites, Brazil, which also ended up as a 0–0 draw, which was hailed as a great result for Iraq. In the third game, Iraq tied South Africa 1–1, despite having a huge 29 shots in the match. This result, coupled with Denmark's defeat to Brazil, saw Iraq get eliminated at the group stage. Brazil eventually went on to win the tournament.

AFC U-23 Asian Cup

2013 AFC U-22 Championship

Iraq's first major honour on U-23 level was the 2013 AFC U-22 Championship. The tournament started with a 3–1 win against Saudi Arabia. That was followed by a 2–1 win against Uzbekistan and a 1–0 win against China. The quarter-finals saw them beat Japan 1–0, and the semi-final against favourites Korea Republic with another 1–0 win.

The final was against local rivals Saudi Arabia, and Mohannad Abdul-Raheem scored the only goal to win the tournament for Iraq. This victory secured Iraq's first Asian Cup U-23 title. Amjad Kalaf was named the most valuable player of the tournament.

2016 AFC U-23 Championship

The 2016 AFC U-23 Championship final tournament is to be held in Qatar from 12–30 January 2016. Iraq qualified for the tournament by topping the group in the qualification stage in Oman in March 2015.

Iraq advanced from the group stage, beating Yemen 2–0, Uzbekistan 3–2, and a 1–1 tie with South Korea. In the quarterfinals, Iraq beat UAE 3–1 in extra time to progress to the semifinals. Iraq lost 2–1 to Japan.

In the third place match, Iraq came back from behind to beat Qatar 2–1 to qualify for 2016 Olympics.

2018 AFC U-23 Championship

Iraq qualified for the 3rd tournament by topping the group in the qualification stage in Saudi Arabia in July 2017.

In the final tournament, with the defending champion Japan not bringing their strongest squad and South Korea fielded a relatively inexperienced squad, Iraq had many chances to repeat 2013 success. In the group stage, they finished at the top of the group after beating Malaysia 4–1 and Jordan 1–0, with a 0–0 draw against Saudi Arabia. Iraq advanced into the quarter-final as the first seed of group C and was scheduled to face off against Vietnam, which was widely regarded to be Iraq's easiest ever opponent in this stage, boosting the enthusiasm among Iraqis. However, thing didn't go as planned, which an unexpected 3–3 draw after extra time meant that the result would be settled via a penalty shoot-out, in which Vietnam emerged victorious with the score of 5–3, thus eliminating Iraq from the tournament in the shock of its supporters.

2020 AFC U-23 Championship

Iraq qualified for the tournament by topping the group in the qualification stage in Iran in March 2019.

In the final tournament held in Thailand, Iraq was grouped in group A together with host Thailand, a resurgence Australia and the unknown Bahrain. For the first time, Iraq did not make it out of the group stage, drawing all three games.

2022 AFC U-23 Asian Cup

Iraq were drawn with Jordan, Australia and Kuwait.

Iraq pulled back the equaliser through Wakaa Ramadan to draw with Jordan 1-1 in the opening matchday, before drawing again to a 10-man Australia side through a Hasan Abdulkareem volley cancelling out a scorpion kick goal scored by Alou Kuol. Needing a win to qualify for the quarter-finals, Iraq came back from a goal down to beat Kuwait 3-1 thanks to goals scored by Muntadher Mohammed, Moammel Abdulridha and Mohammed Al-Baqer.

Iraq qualified out of Group B as runner-up, only behind Australia, so they were drawn against the winner of Group A, hosts Uzbekistan. The game went to extra time and later, penalties. Merchas Doski and Ahmed Naeem converted their penalties while Uzbekistan's second penalty was saved by Hassan Ahmed. However, Wakaa Rammdan hit the post, Moammel Abdulridha had his tame penalty saved and Hasan Abdulkareem blazed his penalty over the bar, while Uzbekistan converted their last three penalties to win 3-2 on penalties and advance to the semi-finals.

2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup

Iraq were drawn into a group alongside Thailand, Tajikistan, and Saudi Arabia.

In the first match, Thailand emerged victorious with a stunning 2-0 win over Iraq. Iraq defeated Tajikistan and Saudi Arabia, securing their place as group winners. Iraq faced Vietnam in the quarterfinals, and in a fiercely contested match, booking their ticket to the semifinals. However, Iraq succumbed to a 2-0 defeat against Japan in the semifinals.

In the playoff for third place, Iraq faced Indonesia in a showdown for bronze. Iraq emerged victorious, securing a 2-1 win and clinched third place in the tournament. This also earned them a spot in the 2024 Olympics. On the individual front, Ali Jasim finished as the top scorer of the tournament with four goals and two assists.

Recent results and fixtures

Main article: Iraq national under-23 football team results

• The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled. ;Legend

2025

• Sanan
• Younis
• Zai
• Faisal
• Jasim
• Aayed
• Younis
• Sadeq
• Abdullah
• M. Mousa
• Abdulnabi
• Amoori
• A. Luay
• Aiad
• Amoori
• Al-Abdulla
• Al-Ghamdi
• Al-Aliwa

2026

• Chinngoen
• Faisal
• Faisal
• Dukuly

Coaching staff

Players

Current squad

The following 23 players were called up for the 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup.

Caps and goals correct as of 9 September 2025 after game against Cambodia

The following friendlies are excluded for now: Both Bahrain games, both India, both Tunisia games, whole 2025 AGCFF U-23 Gulf Cup (will be included asap)

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up within 12 months PRE Part of the preliminary squad

INJ Player injured

CLB Player refused by club or unable to attend due to club commitments

IRQ Player moved up to the first team

OVR Player overaged and ineligible to represent this age group

WD Player withdrew for non-injury related reasons

Previous squads

:Bold indicates winning squads

;Olympic Games

• 2004 Summer Olympics Squad
• 2016 Summer Olympics Squad
• 2024 Summer Olympics Squad

;AFC U-23 Asian Cup

• 2013 AFC U-22 Championship Squad
• 2016 AFC U-23 Championship Squad
• 2018 AFC U-23 Championship Squad
• 2020 AFC U-23 Championship Squad
• 2022 AFC U-23 Asian Cup Squad
• 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup Squad

;Asian Games

• 2006 Asian Games Squad
• 2014 Asian Games Squad

;WAFF U-23 Championship

• 2021 WAFF U-23 Championship Squad
• 2023 WAFF U-23 Championship Squad
• 2024 WAFF U-23 Championship Squad

Overage players

Football at the Summer Olympics, the Asian Games and the Islamic Solidarity Games have required that under-23 players enter the competitions, but they have allowed three overage players to be included in one squad. These three players are called the "wild cards".

Summer Olympics

Asian Games

Islamic Solidarity Games

Manager history

Competitive record

Summer Olympics

Main article: Iraq at the Olympics

• Prior to the Barcelona 1992 campaign, the Football at the Summer Olympics was open to full senior national teams.

AFC U-23 Asian Cup

:*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

Asian Games

Main article: Football at the Asian Games

:*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

AGCFF U-23 Gulf Cup

WAFF U-23 Championship

Islamic Solidarity Games

Exhibition Tournaments

Honours

Intercontinental

• Summer Olympics :Fourth place: 2004

Continental

• AFC U-23 Asian Cup : [[File:Med 1.png]] Winners: 2013 : [[File:Med 3.png]] Third place: 2016, 2024
• Asian Games : [[File:Med 2.png]] Runners-up: 2006 : [[File:Med 3.png]] Third place: 2014

Regional

• WAFF U-23 Championship : [[File:Med 1.png]] Winners: 2023
• AGCFF U-23 Gulf Cup : [[File:Med 2.png]] Runners-up: 2025

Exhibition Tournaments

• Stafford Challenge Cup : [[File:Med 1.png]] Winners: 1990

• International Friendship Tournament (Abha) : [[File:Med 1.png]] Winners: 2003

Head-to-head record

:As of 24 July 2024 after match against Ukraine.

The following table shows Iraq under-23 team's all-time international record.

;Key

References

References

1. (13 August 2004). "Iraq Surprises Portugal in 4-2 Olympic Victory". Grahame L. Jones.
2. (16 August 2004). "Iraq cruise into the last eight". Alastair Himmer.
3. (27 August 2004). "Italy claim Olympic medal".
4. (4 August 2016). "Iraq, Denmark share spoils". [[FIFA]].
5. (8 August 2016). "Hosts frustrated by impenetrable Iraq". [[FIFA]].
6. (11 August 2016). "Draw ends Olympic dream for Iraq and South Africa". [[FIFA]].
7. (26 January 2014). "Iraq crowned AFC U-22 champions". [[Asian Football Confederation.
8. (6 April 2024). "AFC U23 Asian Cup: Most Valuable Players". [[Asian Football Confederation.
9. (29 January 2016). "Iraq clinch Asia's final Rio spot". [[FIFA]].
10. (20 January 2018). "Vietnam hold nerve in penalty shootout to reach last four". [[Asian Football Confederation.
11. (14 January 2020). "العراق يغادر السباق على أولمبياد طوكيو".
12. (11 June 2022). "Uzbekistan edge Iraq on penalties to seal last four berth". [[Asian Football Confederation.
13. (2 May 2024). "AFC U23 Asian Cup: Iraq claims bronze medal to obtain final Olympic quota of the tournament". Sam Peene.
14. (3 May 2024). "Iraq's Jasim takes Yili Top Scorer award". [[Asian Football Confederation.
15. (27 December 2025). "The official squad of our Olympic national team participating in the AFC U-23 Asian Cup finals to be held in Saudi Arabia". Iraq Football Pod.
16. "مباريات المنتخب الاولمبي (تحت 23 سنة)". ارشيف الكرة العراقية.
17. "Iraq U23 - Team profile". globalsportsarchive.com.
18. (18 December 2008). "The Legends of Stoke City". Breedon Books.
19. "International Friendship Tournament (Abha, Saudi Arabia)". Hassanin Mubarak.
20. "Dubai Match World Cup 2012". Javier García & Andrea Veronese.
21. (29 March 2022). "الاولمبي العراقي يفوز على تايلند ببطولة دبي الدولية".
22. (29 March 2023). "أولمبي العراق يهزم عمان في بطولة الدوحة الدولية".