Andorra vs Iraq Preview, Prediction, Lineups and More — Pre-World Cup Friendly

On Friday, 29 May 2026, European minnow Andorra will put its resilience to the test against the formidable Iraq national team, with kickoff set for 18:00 CET in Spain. The Iraqi national team begins its preparatory journey for the 2026 World Cup finals with this friendly match as part of the training camp the Lions of Mesopotamia are holding in Europe — representing the first official test for the team before the global event next month.

Iraq face one of the tournament’s most formidable groups — France, Norway, and Senegal — with their opener against Norway on June 16 in Boston. For Graham Arnold, every minute of preparation is precious. For Andorra, ranked 172nd in the world, this is football on a different planet — but for a nation built on the art of organised resistance, no opponent is treated lightly.

Andorra vs Iraq Match Details

The Iraqi Football Federation chose Spain to host the team’s camp due to the ideal atmosphere and good infrastructure, in addition to the ease of arranging friendly matches with European teams. Iraq will play only two matches during the camp — the first against Andorra today, and a second against Spain on June 4 as the final rehearsal before the World Cup begins.

Iraq Form Guide — Last 5 Matches

This is Iraq’s first friendly match of the 2026 calendar year — every game leading up to today has been competitive knockout football of the highest stakes. Iraq secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Bolivia in the intercontinental playoff final to book their place at the FIFA World Cup 2026 — Ali Al-Hamadi gave Iraq the lead with a powerful header, Bolivia responded before halftime, and Aymen Hussein scored the decisive goal in the 53rd minute.

Iraq arrived in Mexico for the Bolivia playoff final just one week before the match on a charter flight, with players and staff affected by travel disruption caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East — yet they held their nerve and qualified. Tonight they arrive on Spanish soil fresh, rested, and with the emotional surge of a historic World Cup qualification still driving every player’s hunger to prove themselves before the tournament begins.

Andorra Form Guide — Last 5 Matches

Andorra have been in a difficult spell recently, winning none of their last five matches — scoring just three goals and conceding twelve across that run, with defensive frailties a persistent concern.

Andorra are currently on an extended winless run, though they have managed occasional draws — their last competitive victory came in 2024 against San Marino in a friendly. In the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Andorra finished bottom of their group but picked up one point thanks to a draw with Latvia. Koldo Álvarez’s team is built entirely around discipline, compactness, and the kind of low-block defensive structure that can frustrate teams far superior to them for long periods. Iraq will need patience and quality to break them down.

Andorra vs Iraq Head to Head Record

These teams hail from different confederations and have never faced each other before — this will be the first-ever meeting between Andorra and Iraq at senior international level.

The gulf in quality between the 172nd-ranked Andorra and World Cup-bound Iraq could not be wider in context. Iraq have qualified for their first World Cup in 40 years by beating teams from Asia, the Middle East, and South America — Andorra have not qualified for a major tournament in their entire history. Yet Andorra’s identity is built on refusing to make it easy for anyone.

Andorra vs Iraq Predicted Lineups

Iraq’s established lineup from the playoff campaign uses a disciplined defensive block with Zidane Iqbal as the creative pivot and Ali Al-Hamadi and Aymen Hussein providing the attacking threat. Andorra will set up in their characteristic deep 5-4-1 or 4-5-1 block, prioritising compactness over any form of attacking intent.

Iraq Predicted XI (4-3-3 / 4-1-4-1): Jalal Al-Fadhli (GK) | Merchas Doski (RB) | Hashim Rahman (CB) | Zaid Tahseen (CB) | Hussein Ali (LB) | Ibrahim Bayesh (CDM) | Amir Al-Ammari (CM) | Zidane Iqbal (CM) | Youssef Amyn (RW) | Ali Al-Hamadi (ST) | Aymen Hussein (LW)

Andorra Predicted XI (5-4-1): Josep Gómes (GK) | Óscar Sonejee (RWB) | Marc Vales (CB) | Ildefons Lima (CB) | Ricard Fernández (CB) | Emili García (LWB) | Cristian Martínez (RM) | Moises San Nicolás (CM) | Ludovic Clemente (CM) | Sebastià Corominas (LM) | Víctor Rodríguez (ST)

The match represents an important technical station for coach Graham Arnold to test the players’ readiness and establish the features of the main lineup before the June 4 Spain warm-up. Arnold is expected to protect Zidane Iqbal through the group stage, as his technical quality is the most difficult to replace — the squad needs him sharp for all three World Cup matches. Lineups are predicted and subject to change. Confirmed XIs are usually released 60 minutes before kickoff. See all pre-World Cup 2026 friendlies.

Key Players to Watch

Ali Al-Hamadi — Iraq

Ali Al-Hamadi, 24, plays his club football on loan in England’s third tier at Luton Town — born in Iraq, his family moved to Liverpool when he was one year old. Al-Hamadi gave Iraq the lead against Bolivia with a powerful header in just the 10th minute of the intercontinental playoff final — a moment that sparked scenes of euphoria across the Iraqi diaspora worldwide. His combination of pace, aerial power, and finishing makes him Iraq’s most dangerous forward, and tonight against Andorra he will have the space and freedom to show exactly why Arnold trusts him as the spearhead of Iraq’s World Cup attack. See our full Iraq World Cup 2026 preview.

Zidane Iqbal — Iraq

FC Utrecht midfielder Zidane Iqbal trained at Manchester United’s academy and is just 22 years old — he controls tempo in midfield and gives Iraq their best chance of breaking down organised defences with clever passing. Iqbal is a close friend of Al-Hamadi, with his own family having moved to England to escape the first Gulf War. His European experience at the top level sets him apart from the rest of the Iraqi squad, and his ability to find pockets of space against Andorra’s deep block will be the key to unlocking the defence quickly. Arnold’s tactical plan centres on protecting Iqbal and keeping him sharp for all three World Cup matches.

Andorra vs Iraq — Tactical Preview

For Iraq, this match is a chance to experience the closed, disciplined European defensive style — a perfect primer ahead of the World Cup group stage where France, Norway, and Senegal will all offer significant tactical challenges. Arnold will use a high-intensity pressing game to force Andorra’s deep block into errors and test the stamina of his squad across 90 minutes. Iraq’s wide players will be essential — Amyn and Hussein need to find space in behind Andorra’s wing-backs to deliver crosses for Al-Hamadi’s runs. Andorra’s main strength is their stubborn resistance — they are rarely torn apart — but the expectation is that Iraq will prevail, as the Asian side possesses a class advantage and enormous motivation with every player battling for a World Cup squad place. The key tactical test for Arnold is whether Iraq can maintain patience against a side designed to draw out errors and whether Iqbal can find space in a congested midfield. Andorra will sit deep from the first whistle and try to hit Iraq on the break through quick transitions down the flanks.

Andorra vs Iraq Prediction

Iraq are overwhelming favourites here — the Lions of Mesopotamia qualified for their first World Cup since 1986 by beating UAE, and then Bolivia 2-1 in the intercontinental playoff final, completing a remarkable 13W-3L-5D record across the entire qualification campaign. Andorra, meanwhile, have not won any of their last five matches, scoring just three goals and conceding twelve — with a ranking of 172nd in the world. Graham Arnold has stated Iraq are ready to shock the world against France, Norway, and Senegal — and tonight they must demonstrate the attacking quality and clinical edge needed to back those words up. Andorra’s defensive shape will make it difficult in the early stages, but Iraq’s quality in the final third should tell over 90 minutes.

Our Prediction: Iraq 3–0 Andorra

Ali Al-Hamadi is the standout goalscorer pick — the Luton Town striker’s power and movement make him perfectly suited to exploiting Andorra’s backline. Aymen Hussein adds a second option through his experience and clinical finishing. The second half should see Iraq’s depth told as Arnold uses his bench to test fringe players ahead of the Spain friendly on June 4. World Cup 2026 Group I: France, Senegal, Norway & Iraq →

How to Watch Andorra vs Iraq Live

The match is being played at Estadi Municipal de Montilivi in Girona, Spain — home ground of La Liga club Girona FC. Iraqi viewers can watch on Iraq Sport TV or Al-Iraqiya Sport. International viewers can check FIFA+ for friendly coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions

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    <summary>What time does Andorra vs Iraq kick off?</summary>
    <div class="faq-answer"><p>Andorra vs Iraq kicks off at 18:00 CET on Friday, 29 May 2026, at Estadi Municipal de Montilivi in Girona, Spain. That is 16:00 UTC / 12:00 PM ET / 9:00 PM PKT for international viewers.</p></div>
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    <summary>What is the predicted score for Andorra vs Iraq?</summary>
    <div class="faq-answer"><p>FWCTimes predicts Iraq to win this pre-World Cup friendly 3–0. Iraq are ranked over 90 places above Andorra in the FIFA rankings, are in active World Cup preparation mode, and arrive with the momentum of a historic intercontinental playoff victory over Bolivia. This is the first-ever meeting between the two nations.</p></div>
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    <summary>Who are the key players for Andorra vs Iraq?</summary>
    <div class="faq-answer"><p>Ali Al-Hamadi is Iraq's focal point in attack — the Luton Town striker scored the opening goal in the Bolivia playoff final and will be the main threat against Andorra's deep defensive block. Zidane Iqbal is Iraq's creative engine in midfield — the 22-year-old Utrecht playmaker brings European technical quality that is unmatched in the Iraqi squad and will be key to unlocking Andorra's 5-4-1 structure.</p></div>
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    <summary>Have Andorra and Iraq ever played each other before?</summary>
    <div class="faq-answer"><p>No — this is the first-ever senior international meeting between Andorra and Iraq. The two nations belong to different confederations (UEFA and AFC) and have never previously been drawn together in any competition. Tonight's match begins their all-time head-to-head record.</p></div>
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    <summary>What World Cup group is Iraq in at 2026?</summary>
    <div class="faq-answer"><p>Iraq are in Group I at the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside France, Norway, and Senegal. Their opening match is against Norway on June 16 at Gillette Stadium in Boston, followed by France on June 22 in Philadelphia, and Senegal on June 26 in Toronto. It is Iraq's first World Cup since 1986 — a 40-year wait that ended with a 2-1 playoff victory over Bolivia in Monterrey, Mexico.</p></div>
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Check Also: Andorra vs Iraq Live Score