In the heart of Michigan, a soccer fever is sweeping through communities, ignited by a historic event half a world away. The Iraqi national team, known as the Lions of Mesopotamiahas qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a remarkable 40-year absence. This long-awaited return has sent shockwaves of excitement through the Iraqi diaspora, particularly in cities like Dearborn and Detroit, where soccer is more than just a game—it’s a cultural phenomenon.
The anticipation is palpable, with local soccer enthusiasts and business owners alike feeling the impact of this historic moment. From the sidelines of local leagues to the shelves of specialty sports stores, the spirit of Iraqi soccer is alive and well in Michigan.
The Lions’ roar echoes through Michigan
On a sweltering domed field in the Detroit suburbs, the season opener of the local Iraqi Chaldean soccer league is underway. The intensity is palpable, with players and spectators alike caught up in the excitement of the World Cup. Zee Esho, a 34-year-old who emigrated from Iraq to Michigan as a child, watches the game with a sense of pride and nostalgia.
Esho remembers a time when soccer was the one thing that could bring Iraq’s diverse ethnic and religious groups together, even in the midst of war and unrest. “Even you see it now,” he says, marveling at how the team’s victory in the World Cup qualifiers has electrified Dearborn’s large Iraqi diaspora. “When they play, you have people from the South, from the North, from the West, from the East, all gathering together to watch the game.”
A group of death and a nation’s hope
The Iraqi team finds itself in a challenging group, dubbed the “Group of Death,” alongside Norway, Senegal, and France. However, for Esho and many others, simply making it this far is a victory in itself. “If they win one game, one game, which I am sure they will, Iraq fans will go crazy,” he says with a knowing smile.
Soccer, or as it’s known in some parts of the world, kurut alqadamis more than just a sport—it’s a religion that’s gaining more and more converts in the U.S. In Michigan, this passion is evident in the bustling streets and lively discussions that revolve around the upcoming World Cup.
From confusion to celebration: A soccer store’s journey
Waad Sana, the owner of Soccer World in Rochester Hills, Michigan, has witnessed firsthand the growing popularity of soccer in the U.S. In 1976, when he migrated to the U.S. from Iraq as a teenager, his first attempt to buy a soccer ball was met with confusion. “I asked the associate: ‘Do you have football?’ He comes in and he brings me the brown football. I said, ‘What the heck is this?’ I thought he was making fun of me,” Sana recalls with a laugh.
These days, Sana’s store is a hub of activity, with about 100 calls per day from fans eager to get their hands on Iraqi national team jerseys. The store has even implemented a waitlist to manage the high demand. Sana’s journey with Iraqi soccer began in 1986 when he attended the World Cup in Mexico. That experience inspired him to open Soccer World, a dream that has come full circle with Iraq’s return to the tournament.
“Imagine for 40 years, that’s 10 tries to qualify for the World Cup, and Iraq [failing] at it,” says Sana. “And now we made it. For me to see that love and passion, it gives you goosebumps.” Sana is even ready to teach some vintage Iraqi soccer chants to the next generation of fans.
Inspiring the next generation
The excitement surrounding Iraq’s World Cup qualification is not limited to the adult community. Abbas Alwishah, the 44-year-old director of Michigan FCa youth league that attracts kids of all ages from Detroit’s diverse immigrant communities, has noticed the impact on the younger generation.
“Even if they’re like 6 years old, they know,” says Alwishah, as his team of middle-school-aged players run warm-up drills under the sweltering summer sun. “Their parents watch it, and they hear about it in the community. To them it’s like their heritage.”
The passion for soccer is not confined to those of Iraqi heritage. Fatima Alzahraa Yazdchi, a 16-year-old originally from Kuwait, is one of many fans rooting for Iraq this summer. Without hesitation, she lists her bracket in this World Cup: Cristiano Ronaldo, Iran, and definitely Iraq. “I feel like that’s a big milestone for them. This should be an exciting World Cup,” she says with enthusiasm.
On game days, Fatima will be watching on TV with her dad, who she credits for most of her soccer skills and her passion for the game. “Gotta see them win!” Fatima grins, before rejoining the rest of the girls’ team for one-on-one drills.
As the world turns its eyes to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the story of Iraq’s return is a testament to the unifying power of soccer. For the Iraqi diaspora in Michigan and beyond, this moment is not just about sports—it’s about identity, heritage, and the dream of a nation coming together on the global stage.
