It’s a day that will go down in history. Following a 2–1 victory over Bolivia, it’s now official: Iraq has secured its spot in the 2026 World Cup. For the first time since 1986, we’ll see the “Lions of Mesopotamia” on the world’s biggest stage—and at the heart of this success are five players of Assyrian descent.

It was in the decisive playoff match, which took place early Wednesday morning Swedish time, that Iraq managed to secure the ninth and final Asian spot in the World Cup. Ali Al-Hamadi gave Iraq the lead early in the match, and despite an equalizer from Bolivia, captain Aymen Hussein stepped up in the 53rd minute and headed in the historic winning goal.

When the final whistle blew, a huge celebration erupted. For the Assyrian people, this achievement is particularly significant, as the national team now includes more Assyrian players than it has in decades.

The five Assyrian players

The squad that has now qualified Iraq for the World Cup includes five players of Assyrian descent, most of whom have strong ties to Sweden.

1. Rebin Sulaka (Defender) An experienced center back from Ankawa. He has played in both Sweden and Asian leagues. Rebin currently plays for Seoul in South Korea.

2. Frans Putros (Defender) Putros has Iraqi roots, grew up in Denmark, and currently plays for Persib Bandung in Indonesia.

3. Kevin Yakob (Midfielder) After battling his way back from a serious ACL injury, the former IFK Göteborg and BK Häcken star has shown why he is considered one of the team’s most creative players. Kevin currently plays for AGF Aarhus in Denmark.

4. Aimar Sher (Midfielder) The former Hammarby prospect chose to represent Iraq and has quickly become a fan favorite. Despite his young age, he plays with a maturity that bodes well for the World Cup finals. Aimar currently plays for Sarpsborg 08 in Norway.

5. Peter Gwargis (Midfielder/Forward) The technically gifted winger, who has previously played for Brighton and Malmö FF, among others, is a member of the World Cup squad and currently plays for Duhok in Iraq.

For the Assyrian people, this breakthrough brings back memories of their heyday in the 1970s and 1980s, when legends like Ammo Baba led the nation. The fact that we are now seeing a new generation of Assyrian players carry the national team to a World Cup finals is viewed by many as a rebirth of the ethnic group’s role in sports in the region.

A historic tournament is set to take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico in the summer of 2026.

See also: When the Assyrian national team conquered Iraq