Iraq lost 2-0 to Venezuela on June 10 in their final warm-up friendly before the World Cup, held in Bridgeville, Illinois [1, 2]. Cristian Casseres opened the scoring for Venezuela in the 17th minute with a close-range finish [1, 2]. Venezuela doubled their lead immediately after halftime when Casseres won the ball and set up Jesus Ramirez for the second goal [1, 2].
Iraq finished the match with 10 men after Ali Youssef received a straight red card in the 72nd minute [1, 2]. This was Iraq’s first World Cup appearance in 40 years since their only previous finals showing [1, 2].
Iraq will begin their Group I World Cup campaign against Norway on June 17, followed by matches against France and Senegal [1, 2]. Meanwhile, Venezuela, not qualified for this World Cup, remains the only South American nation to have never reached the World Cup finals [1, 2].
The next key fixture for Iraq is their opening group stage match against Norway on June 17.