Iraq chose former national team captain Younis Mahmoud as president of its Football Association on May 23, defeating incumbent Adnan Dirjal by 38 votes to 20 [1, 2]. Mahmoud, 43, will lead the federation as Iraq prepares to compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico [1, 2].
Mahmoud succeeds Dirjal, who had chaired the federation since 2021 [1, 2]. As captain, Mahmoud led Iraq to its first Asian Cup title in 2007, scoring the winning goal in the final and finishing as the tournament’s top scorer and best player [1, 2]. He played professionally across Iraq, the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, winning the Qatari league Golden Boot three times [1, 2].
Iraq reached the 2026 World Cup finals after a 40-year absence by beating Bolivia in an intercontinental playoff on May 20, 2023 [1, 2]. They are drawn in Group I alongside France, Senegal, and Norway [1, 2].
Preparations are now underway for Iraq’s return to football’s biggest stage, with the World Cup scheduled from June 11 to July 19, 2026 [1, 2]. Mahmoud’s leadership marks a new chapter for Iraqi football as the team aims to make an impact in the tournament.