Hussein Ali Opens Up on Iraq's World Cup Return, Facing Kylian Mbappe and His Swedish Roots
The challenge of facing Erling Haaland is also a significant one, with the Norwegian striker known for his clinical finishing and physical presence. Hussein Ali acknowledges the difficulty of the task, but remains focused on the collective effort required to nullify Haaland's threat. "We'll be working on our defensive strategy as a team, and we'll need to be solid and compact to deal with his pace and power," he explains.
In terms of preparing for the World Cup, Iraq has been actively seeking out high-quality opposition to test themselves against. The friendly match against Spain, which ended in a 1-1 draw, was a notable example of this approach. "It was a great experience for us, and it showed that we can compete with teams of that level," Hussein Ali notes. "We're looking to build on that performance and use it as a springboard for the World Cup."
As the tournament draws closer, Hussein Ali is aware of the intense scrutiny that will be focused on Iraq's performances. However, he believes that the team's youth and inexperience can actually work to their advantage. "We're not under the same level of pressure as some of the other teams in our group," he observes. "We can just focus on playing our football and enjoying the experience, which could help us to perform at our best."
With the World Cup representing a major opportunity for Iraq to showcase their talents on the global stage, Hussein Ali is eager to make a positive impression. "We want to show the world what we're capable of, and to make our country proud," he says. "We know it won't be easy, but we're ready for the challenge and we're excited to get started."
As a right-back, preparing for a player like Erling Haaland requires a combination of physical and mental preparation. "We have very physical, strong players, and that's one of our strengths," Hussein Ali notes. "The most important thing is to be at 100% all the time, because at a World Cup, it comes down to decisive milliseconds."
To prepare for a player like Haaland, Ali watches clips to study their movement, ball reception, and weaknesses. "Knowing whether someone prefers going outside or inside helps me read it in the game and do the best I can in that situation," he explains.
When asked if he prefers playing against a player like Kylian Mbappe or Haaland, Ali remains neutral. "Both are quality players, so it doesn't matter to me," he says. "The thing is, Mbappe is often out wide, and Erling is mostly central, so Erling will be up against the centre backs most of the time, while Mbappe stays on the side."
Ali believes that playing against top teams like France and Norway can actually work to Iraq's advantage. "We don't have anything to lose, and they come with the pressure," he notes. "We come to play our game and show the world we're capable. We're humble about it. We know we're not the favourites, but we'll go out there to do the work and try to collect points."
Ali's experience playing in the Netherlands with Heerenveen has taught him valuable lessons as a right-back. "There's a lot of offensive football in Holland, very one-versus-one oriented," he says. "People are technically gifted, so you face wingers who are shifty and can do things on their own. I learned to handle those one-versus-one situations and to be more offensively minded."
In Poland, where Ali currently plays, the football is more physical and team-oriented. "It's different from Holland, but it's good for me because you're up against strong, quick guys who run all game," he notes. Ali believes that the Ekstraklasa is similar in quality to the Eredivisie and that it has helped him prepare for the World Cup.
Ali's compatriot Amir Al-Ammari also plays in Poland, and Ali hopes that more Iraqi players will follow in their footsteps. "We want the country to get a lot of players abroad, and we want people to keep an eye on them," he says. "For us, we hope we can take a good first step so other Iraqis come and show themselves in the Polish league in the future."
Playing in Europe has changed Ali's style compared to Asian football, where the game is often unpredictable. "European football is very good, but quite predictable," he notes. "I think that shocks European national teams when they face us, because they're not used to the unpredictability of Asian football."
As the World Cup approaches, Hussein Ali's message to young Iraqi footballers is one of hope and inspiration. "Just to enjoy it," he says, urging them to take in the experience and learn from the world's best players. For those who dream of representing Iraq, Ali's advice is to play with pride and passion, values that are deeply ingrained in Iraqi culture.
Ali hopes that the current team's participation in the World Cup will pave the way for future generations of Iraqi players, showing them that they too can compete on the world stage. By showcasing their skills and dedication, Ali and his teammates aim to change the way people perceive Iraq, promoting a more positive image of the country through football.
The 2026 World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, promises to be an exciting tournament, featuring 48 national teams and state-of-the-art stadiums. With the competition just around the corner, fans around the world are eagerly anticipating the first match, and for Iraq, it's a chance to make a lasting impression on the global stage.
In terms of preparing for the World Cup, Iraq has been actively seeking out high-quality opposition to test themselves against. The friendly match against Spain, which ended in a 1-1 draw, was a notable example of this approach. "It was a great experience for us, and it showed that we can compete with teams of that level," Hussein Ali notes. "We're looking to build on that performance and use it as a springboard for the World Cup."
As the tournament draws closer, Hussein Ali is aware of the intense scrutiny that will be focused on Iraq's performances. However, he believes that the team's youth and inexperience can actually work to their advantage. "We're not under the same level of pressure as some of the other teams in our group," he observes. "We can just focus on playing our football and enjoying the experience, which could help us to perform at our best."
With the World Cup representing a major opportunity for Iraq to showcase their talents on the global stage, Hussein Ali is eager to make a positive impression. "We want to show the world what we're capable of, and to make our country proud," he says. "We know it won't be easy, but we're ready for the challenge and we're excited to get started."
As a right-back, preparing for a player like Erling Haaland requires a combination of physical and mental preparation. "We have very physical, strong players, and that's one of our strengths," Hussein Ali notes. "The most important thing is to be at 100% all the time, because at a World Cup, it comes down to decisive milliseconds."
To prepare for a player like Haaland, Ali watches clips to study their movement, ball reception, and weaknesses. "Knowing whether someone prefers going outside or inside helps me read it in the game and do the best I can in that situation," he explains.
When asked if he prefers playing against a player like Kylian Mbappe or Haaland, Ali remains neutral. "Both are quality players, so it doesn't matter to me," he says. "The thing is, Mbappe is often out wide, and Erling is mostly central, so Erling will be up against the centre backs most of the time, while Mbappe stays on the side."
Ali believes that playing against top teams like France and Norway can actually work to Iraq's advantage. "We don't have anything to lose, and they come with the pressure," he notes. "We come to play our game and show the world we're capable. We're humble about it. We know we're not the favourites, but we'll go out there to do the work and try to collect points."
Ali's experience playing in the Netherlands with Heerenveen has taught him valuable lessons as a right-back. "There's a lot of offensive football in Holland, very one-versus-one oriented," he says. "People are technically gifted, so you face wingers who are shifty and can do things on their own. I learned to handle those one-versus-one situations and to be more offensively minded."
In Poland, where Ali currently plays, the football is more physical and team-oriented. "It's different from Holland, but it's good for me because you're up against strong, quick guys who run all game," he notes. Ali believes that the Ekstraklasa is similar in quality to the Eredivisie and that it has helped him prepare for the World Cup.
Ali's compatriot Amir Al-Ammari also plays in Poland, and Ali hopes that more Iraqi players will follow in their footsteps. "We want the country to get a lot of players abroad, and we want people to keep an eye on them," he says. "For us, we hope we can take a good first step so other Iraqis come and show themselves in the Polish league in the future."
Playing in Europe has changed Ali's style compared to Asian football, where the game is often unpredictable. "European football is very good, but quite predictable," he notes. "I think that shocks European national teams when they face us, because they're not used to the unpredictability of Asian football."
As the World Cup approaches, Hussein Ali's message to young Iraqi footballers is one of hope and inspiration. "Just to enjoy it," he says, urging them to take in the experience and learn from the world's best players. For those who dream of representing Iraq, Ali's advice is to play with pride and passion, values that are deeply ingrained in Iraqi culture.
Ali hopes that the current team's participation in the World Cup will pave the way for future generations of Iraqi players, showing them that they too can compete on the world stage. By showcasing their skills and dedication, Ali and his teammates aim to change the way people perceive Iraq, promoting a more positive image of the country through football.
The 2026 World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, promises to be an exciting tournament, featuring 48 national teams and state-of-the-art stadiums. With the competition just around the corner, fans around the world are eagerly anticipating the first match, and for Iraq, it's a chance to make a lasting impression on the global stage.
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