From Malmö talent to World Cup star: Hussein Ali's journey with Iraq

Hussein Ali's improbable path to the World Cup with Iraq encapsulates the special, often unpredictable nature of football. Just four years ago, Ali was on a bus home after a loss in Sweden's second division, his team Örebro SK struggling. Now, the 24-year-old is preparing to represent Iraq on the world's biggest stage.

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It sounds completely incredible, but you know football is like that. It's up and down, but you never know what will happen in a year. Everything can change.

Ali, who grew up in Malmö and was part of a highly promising youth generation at Malmö FF alongside future professionals like Filip Jörgensen and Noah Eile, chose to leave the club at 17 for senior football. This led him to Örebro SK, then to Dutch club Heerenveen, and finally to Pogon Szczecin in Poland. While he represented Sweden up to the U21 level, a call from Iraq's then-coach Jesus Casas in 2023 changed his trajectory.

"His approach and mindset suited me. It felt like the right timing too, with some good tournaments coming up," Ali said. He was drawn to the potential of a new generation of Iraqi players and the country's fervent football fans. He quickly became a starter, playing in World Cup qualifiers and the Paris Olympics.

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It was a fantastic opportunity and I wouldn't change anything. It took me where I am today.

The defining moment came in a playoff final against Bolivia in Monterrey, Mexico. Ali played the full match as Iraq secured a 2-1 victory, earning their first World Cup spot in four decades. "To be one of the eleven players on the pitch who take Iraq to their first World Cup in forty years, it's an indescribable feeling," Ali shared. "There was great anticipation and also some nervousness before the match; when you step onto the pitch, you think about how much it can change your life."

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His approach and mindset suited me. It felt like the right timing too, with some good tournaments coming up. I got a picture of what Iraq could be in the future with the new generation of players coming, we have many talents.

Historically a smaller football nation, Iraq has seen significant progress, climbing from 128 to 57 in the FIFA rankings over the past decade. Under new coach Graham Arnold, the team has developed into a defensively structured unit, poised to make their mark on the global stage.

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And I know that the fans in Iraq are absolutely crazy about football.