10 Best Iraqi Football (Soccer) Players

Flag of Iraq photo sourced from Wikimedia commons

10 Best Iraqi Football (Soccer) Playerss

Since the modern state of Iraq’s area was defined in 1920, the country has produced several exceptional footballers who have created a name for themselves in both club and international competitions. Iraq and the United Arab Emirates played their 2022 World Cup qualifier in Baghdad after FIFA lifted its years-long ban on matches in the war-scarred country, Iraqi.

It however did not manage to secure a spot in the World cup and unfortunately, we won’t be able to see the high soaring soccer talents displaying their prowess at the grandest stage of them all.

Iraq is one of Asia’s top footballing nations, having produced a long list of legends in the past as well as present stars. Several of these great athletes crossed the ocean and laced up their boots in Europe and America.

Some are regarded as the best players to have ever graced Asia, while others are regarded as legendary figures. Here are the 10 best Iraqi soccer players.

1. Emmanuel Baba Dawood

Amo Baba, carried by the neck after a 4-1 victory over Transnen, Czechoslovakia, January 26, 1964, Scouts Stadium, Baghdad. photo sourced from Wikimedia commons

As a player and subsequently national team coach, Emmanuel Baba Dawood, also known as Ammo Baba, is perhaps the most revered figure in Iraqi football.

In a 1957 international game, Iraq’s first goal was scored by Ammo Baba. He coached Iraq to victories in the Asian Games in 1984, the Gulf Cup in 1979, 1984, and 1988, and the Arab National Cup in 1988.

He was successful in the Iraqi League as well, helping Al Talaba win the championship in 1981. He was hired by Al Zawraa after leaving the national stage and guided them to a title in 1994.

2. Husham Ata Ataj

Husham Ata Ajaj, who was born in Adhamiyah in 1941, played with Ammo Baba in the 1960s. Ajaj made his international debut for Iraq’s military team in 1962 against Belgium and steadily gained recognition after scoring both of Iraq’s goals in a 2-2 draw with East Germany.

Husham Ata Ajaj, known for his speed and agility, was a one-man team. In 1963, Ajaj contributed to Al Quwa Al Jawiya winning the Iraqi League, Cup, and Army Championship.

After sustaining a knee injury during a friendly match against Al Minaa, Ajaj was forced to retire in 1971. Husham Ata Ajaj had a relatively brief career, yet he will always be remembered as a great Iraqi.

In his 12 games, he scored 6 goals. With three goals, Atta was the top scorer of the 1964 Arab Nations Cup.

3. Ali Kadhim

Ali Adnan Kadhim photo by Al rasssam10 – Wikimedia commons

Ali Kadhim forged an unmatched alliance with none other than Falah Hassan. Playing for the national team and Al Zawraa, the pair immediately became the continent’s most talked-about tandem.

In 1978, the Iraqi FA rejected a contract offered by Al Shaab of the UAE to both Kadhim and Hassan. Kadhim, regarded as one of the top strikers in national team history, scored 35 goals for Iraq and was the country’s all-time leading scorer at one point.

He held the Iraqi goal record with 35 goals until Hussein Saeed broke it in 1982. After a long illness, Kadhim died right after his 69th birthday.

4. Falah Hassan  

Falah Hassan photo by Ahmed Mahmoud Khudair – Wikimedia commons

Falah Hassan was recognized as the brightest star of Iraq’s golden age between the 1970s and 1980s. Hassan, commonly known as The Fox, led Al Zawraa to several leagues and cup victories.

He captained Iraq for five years, leading them to their first Gulf Cup triumph and the 1979 World Military Championship in Kuwait, which they won on penalties against Italy. The Fox also captained the Olympic team in Moscow in 1980, finishing as the country’s top scorer after key goals against Costa Rica and Yugoslavia in group play.

Falah Hassan was technically excellent, and his towering but powerful physique made him practically unstoppable when dribbling the ball. Many people consider this to be an all-time favourite.

5. Hussein Saeed

The Iraqi player, Hussein Saeed, playing for Al-Talaba against Al-Rasheed in the 1984-85 season photo sourced from Wikimedia commons

Hussein Saeed is regarded as one of the best Asian players of all time. His successful career saw him score 141 goals for Al Talaba, with whom he won the Iraqi League three times. Saeed assisted Iraq in qualifying for the Olympics in 1980, 1984, and 1988, as well as the 1986 World Cup.

Hussein Saeed was without a doubt the nation’s star striker during the golden period. He was particularly prolific at the Gulf Cup, where he currently owns the tournament scoring record. With 61 goals from 126 matches, Saeed is Iraq’s all-time leading scorer. His tally ranks him 14th among international football’s highest scorers.

6. Ahmed Radhi

Kaptain Ahmed Radhy with one of the youth tennis players in Baghdad university photo by Hiba Adnan Jawad – Wikimedia commons

Ahmed Radhi, one of the biggest names in Arab football in the 1980s, scored Iraq’s most important goal at the 1986 World Cup finals in Mexico. It was Iraq’s first and only World Cup goal, and it occurred in a 2-1 loss to Belgium.

After the World Cup, Radhi’s club Al Rasheed turned down a $1 million offer from Uruguayan team Nacional.

Ahmed Radhi scored 42 goals in 73 games between 1982 and 1998. Many people consider Radhi to be Iraq’s greatest player ever due to his record as one of the most notable goal-scorers of his generation.

7. Raad Hammoudi

Raad Hammoudi was a fierce and devoted goalkeeper who, after winning the 1979 Gulf Cup tournament goalie of the year award, swiftly rose to fame in Iraq.

In the 1979–80 Iraqi League season, Hammoudi led Al Shorta to victory. He also participated in the 1986 World Cup team.

The former Iraqi captain was an excellent shot-stopper who exuded calm and authority. He was able to hold strikers at bay when his team was severely outmatched. The most recognizable and productive goalie the Lions of Mesopotamia have ever had is still Raad Hammoudi.

8. Nashat Akram

A photo of Nashat Akram in 2013 playing at Al-Shorta Stadium in Baghdad, Iraq. photo by Hashim-afc – Wikimedia commons

The maestro, as he was known. Nashat Akram ruled the art of playwriting. Akram had a significant impact on the national team throughout his career and was renowned for his superb passing skills and remarkable vision.

The midfielder drew several European clubs after winning the Asian Cup in 2007. Malaga and Sunderland aroused interest, but Sven-Goran Eriksson’s Manchester City of 2008 came the closest. Although Akram served a successful trial period for City, he was denied the required work permits to enter the UK.

After joining FC Twente in the Netherlands, Nashat Akram became the first Iraqi to play in and win the Eredivisie.

9. Adnan Dirjal

Adnan Derjal, Iraqi football coach and former football player photo by Mahmoudalrawi – Wikimedia commons

He is a former centre-back for Al Zawraa, Al Talaba, and Al Rasheed.

Dirjal won the Iraqi League seven times while he was a player, and he had his best run at Uday Hussein’s team, Al Rasheed. In addition to winning three championships with the Baghdad team that is now known as Al Karkh, Dirjal led Al Rasheed to a record-tying three Arab Club Championships in the 1980s.

Adnan participated in the 1979 World Military Championship-winning Iraqi team. In 1980, 1984, and 1988, he attended three Olympics games as his nation’s representative. In 1982, Dirjal also won at the Asian Games and three Gulf Cups.

10. Younis Mahmoud

Iraq’s Younis Mahmoud exults after scoring a goal. photo by Doha Stadium Plus Qatar – Wikimedia commons

Undoubtedly, Younis Mahmoud is one of Iraq’s all-time best players. He continues to hold the record for the most international caps ever with 148. Mahmoud is only five goals away from tying Hussein Saeed’s record with his astounding 57 goals.

Younis Mahmoud, one of the greatest players in the history of the nation, led the squad for ten years straight and rose to prominence in Asian football. In 2007, he led Iraq to an Asian Cup win, leading the team with the most goals and receiving player of the tournament.

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