When you think of football’s greatest-ever underdog triumphs, what immediately springs to mind? When Leicester City defied the absurd 5,000-to-1 odds to win the Premier League? What about Greece, against all odds, conquering the Euros in 2004, or Denmark in ’92, despite originally failing to qualify for the tournament? And don’t forget about Zambia’s historic AFCON victory in 2012, spurred on by a national tragedy.
These are just a few examples. The beautiful game has delivered endless memorable moments throughout the last century and beyond. However, everyone’s favorite footballing tale must be the criminally underappreciated Lions of Mesopotamia.
You may or may not have heard of these players and what they accomplished together, but I can say this with absolute certainty: there’s simply nothing quite like it. This team’s resilience extended far beyond the pitch, transcending political instability, religious division, and war—a feat that temporarily unified a broken country.
The incredible story of Iraq’s football miracle
The beginning of the 21st century was unimaginably brutal for the people of Iraq. Following the United States’ invasion of the country in 2003, Iraq became embroiled in a complex power struggle that not only completely destabilized the region but also led to an increased sectarian divide between Iraq’s predominantly Sunni and Shia Muslim populations. The one shining light during this utterly devastating period, however, was an emerging golden generation of Iraqi footballers.
Three years prior, the world got a first glimpse of this group as they shocked audiences with a fourth-place finish at the 2004 Olympic Games. This included notable victories over Costa Rica, Australia, and a young Portugal side featuring a fresh-faced Cristiano Ronaldo.
Two years later, they built on that success to finish second at the 2006 Asian Games. However, any optimism on the pitch was completely overshadowed by the devastation off the field. By 2007, the violence had peaked, with the civilian casualty rate surpassing 100,000. Half the population relied on ration cards, and everyone in the war-torn country was reeling from trauma.
Finding a coach to lead the devastated country was no easy task. The first three coaches offered the job declined, so Jorvan Vieira, a Brazilian journeyman who had worked with 26 clubs and five national teams, took on the monumental challenge with just two months to prepare for the 2007 Asian Cup.
The task was chaotic. As Vieira recalled, several players had lost relatives in the conflict, and only six players showed up for the first training session. To make things even more challenging, the team, which mirrored Iraq’s situation, lacked unity. Comprised of Sunnis, Shias, and Kurds, the tension was palpable. Vieira’s primary focus wasn’t on implementing any coaching philosophy but rather on restoring harmony within the dressing room.
Thankfully, the players eventually made peace, agreeing to set aside religious and political beliefs out of respect for their country. However, this unity didn’t sit well with various militias across Iraq, who issued death threats against the players and their families.
These threats, coupled with frequent airstrikes during training, meant that safety was a constant concern. In fact, winger Hawar Mullah often brought a machine gun to training in case violence erupted.
The situation became so hazardous that the entire team fled Iraq to avoid potential attacks. Many players lost loved ones in the turmoil; goalkeeper Noor Sabri’s brother-in-law was killed, Hawar Mullah’s stepmother was also a victim, and midfielder Nashat Akram’s relatives were kidnapped and murdered. Just two days before the tournament, the team’s physio, Anwar Alawi, died in a Baghdad car bomb.
The mental anguish the team endured was devastating, and morale was at an all-time low as they faced their opening match against co-host Thailand in Bangkok. Ranked as the two lowest teams in their group, with tournament favorites Australia and Oman, Iraq was not expected to advance to the knockout stages.
Their tournament began poorly, giving away a penalty within five minutes and conceding the first goal of the Asian Cup. However, this matchday would prove to be the start of something extraordinary. Iraq exploited set pieces, and eventually, their talismanic captain, Younis Mahmoud, equalized. A 1-1 draw was respectable given the circumstances.
The next fixture was a David vs. Goliath scenario as Iraq faced powerhouse Australia, featuring legends like Mark Schwarzer, Harry Kewell, Tim Cahill, and Mark Viduka. Few expected a contest, but what followed was a footballing spectacle.
Iraq shockingly took the lead with a deceptive Nashat Akram free-kick. Although Viduka equalized with a powerful header, Iraq held their ground. Akram expertly assisted Hawar Mullah to restore the lead, and Iraq sealed a historic 3-1 victory. The streets of Iraq erupted in celebration; they were now in the driver’s seat to qualify. All they needed was a point in their final match against Oman to secure their pass to the knockout stages.
After a hard-fought 0-0 draw, Iraq topped Group A, setting up a favorable quarterfinal against Vietnam. This time, they had the advantage as they didn’t need to travel, and there was mounting pressure, given that Iraq had been eliminated in the quarterfinals of their last three Asian Cup campaigns.
Just 90 seconds into the clash, Younis Mahmoud scored with a powerful header, and later added another from a free-kick, leading Iraq to a semi-final appearance for the first time.
In the semi-final, they faced two-time champions South Korea in Kuala Lumpur. After a goalless draw, the game went to penalties. South Korea, having recently won a shootout, were confident, but Iraq held firm. Noor Sabri made a crucial save, and after Ahmed Mnajed converted, Kim Jung-Woo missed, sending Iraq to the Asian Cup Final.
This improbable run inspired jubilation across Iraq, though tragedy soon followed. Two bombings in Baghdad killed over 50 people, injuring 150. Devastated, some players considered forfeiting the final until a grieving mother appeared on live television, urging the team to play on, vowing not to bury her son until Iraq won the trophy.
In the final, Iraq faced Saudi Arabia, aiming for their fourth title. Although the Saudis were favorites, Iraq fearlessly rallied, driven by resilience and patriotism. In the 72nd minute, a set piece found Mahmoud at the back post, who scored the only goal, sealing Iraq’s miraculous 1-0 victory. Iraq came together momentarily, celebrating a triumph that symbolized unity. Iraqis worldwide joined in, flooding streets across the globe.
The English commentator of the final, Simon Hill, poetically summarized their victory: “The team without hope has brought joy to its fractured nation. Football succeeds where politics has failed.”
This historic moment further confirms that, sport’s power, uplift humanity.
As Nelson Mandela once said, “It has the power to change the world. It has the power to unite people. It is more powerful than governments in breaking down racial barriers.”
Thank you to everyone who read to end of this story. See you some other time.