Soccer-Makenzie replaces injured Yahya in Iraq's World Cup squad


Soccer Football - International Friendly - Spain v Iraq - Riazor stadium, A Coruna, Spain - June 4, 2026 Iraq's Ahmed Yahya Mhmood Al Hajjaj in action with Spain's Pedro Porro REUTERS/Miguel Vidal

June 6 (Reuters) - ⁠Iraq have called up Ahmed ⁠Hassan Makenzie to their 2026 World ‌Cup squad to replace Ahmed Yahya, who has been ruled out of the tournament ​with a hamstring injury, ⁠the national team ⁠announced on Saturday.

"Based on the medical ⁠report, ‌head coach Graham Arnold has decided to call up ⁠Ahmed Makenzie and register him in ​the ‌final squad for the 2026 World ⁠Cup ​finals in place of Ahmed Yahya," the national team said in a ⁠statement on X.

The decision ​came as the Iraqi delegation arrived in Chicago in the early hours ⁠of the morning to prepare for the tournament.

The tournament marks Iraq's first appearance at the World Cup ​since their sole participation ⁠40 years ago. They are set ​to compete in ‌Group I alongside France, ​Senegal and Norway.

(Reporting by Basem Zahran, Editing by Toby Davis)

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