Iraq to Face Venezuela in Final World Cup 2026 Warm-Up Match

Iraq national football team will take on Venezuela national football team in an international friendly at 4:00 a.m. on Wednesday in Chicago, United States, as the Lions of Mesopotamia complete their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Iraq secured qualification for the World Cup after a dramatic 2-1 victory over Bolivia in Monterrey, Mexico, in the final of the intercontinental playoff pathway. 

The achievement marks Iraq’s return to football’s biggest stage for the first time since their only previous appearance at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.

The qualification also increased Arab representation at the tournament, with Iraq joining Jordan, Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, KSA, Qatar, and Algeria in a record number of Arab nations competing at the expanded 48-team tournament.

The World Cup draw placed Iraq in a challenging group alongside France national football team, Senegal national football team and Norway national football team.

Iraq will begin their World Cup campaign against Norway on June 17 before facing France on June 23. Their final group-stage match will come against Senegal on June 26.