Iraq national team defender Hussein Ali has expressed his excitement over the country's historic return to the World Cup after a 40-year absence.
The versatile right-back spoke about the honor of being part of this generation and the pride felt by his family and friends.
Ali acknowledged that playing in the World Cup is a dream for every young footballer.
He admitted he always hoped to reach the tournament but knew nothing was certain in football.
Describing the current camp atmosphere, Ali said it is a mix of anticipation and excitement.
He noted that Iraq enters the group stage with nothing to lose, as the opposition carries more pressure.
The team aims to play good football and show they are ready to compete.
The defender credited his development to the Swedish youth systems at Malmo and Orebro, which shaped his professional career before moves to Holland and Poland.
He expressed gratitude for the opportunities Sweden provided.
Initial talks about joining the national team began nearly three years ago under a Spanish coach.
Since then, the squad has continuously improved under Australian head coach Graham Arnold, who Ali praised for doing a very good job.
Reacting to being drawn against France, Norway, and Senegal, Ali said the tough fixtures are exciting.
He pointed to a recent 1-1 friendly draw against Spain as proof of Iraq's quality, emphasizing that the young squad can prove itself against top teams.
When asked about defending Kylian Mbappe, Ali focused on the upcoming schedule, including a friendly against Venezuela and the first World Cup match against Norway.
He acknowledged Mbappe's quality but stressed the collective nature of football.
Ali views facing elite players as an invaluable experience to gauge his abilities. He emphasized that defending must be done collectively, not just in one-on-one situations.
Regarding Erling Haaland, Ali noted Iraq's physical and strong players as a strength.
He highlighted the importance of being at 100% at all times, as World Cup matches are decided by milliseconds.
Ali shared his preparation routine, which includes watching clips of technical opponents to understand their movements and weaknesses.
He expressed no preference between facing Mbappe or Haaland, noting their different positions on the pitch.
He recalled advice from Benjamin Mendy, who told him to just do his best because anything is possible in football.
Ali concluded that entering the group as underdogs allows Iraq to play without pressure, humble but determined to show their capability.
