Aymen Hussein has made a significant mark on Iraqi football by scoring a goal on March 31, 2026, that not only led Iraq to a 2-1 victory against Bolivia but also secured the national team's place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This victory ended a 40-year absence from the prestigious tournament for Iraq, a nation deeply passionate about football, making this achievement all the more monumental.
Reflecting on his journey, Hussein shares insights into his career, highlighting the obstacles he has faced along the way. As he sat down with Al Jazeera, he emphasized the importance of perseverance, national pride, and a revealing experience with US immigration officials.
Hussein’s goal was not his only contribution to the qualifying campaign; earlier, on September 5, 2024, he scored the single goal in a critical match against Oman that kept Iraq’s hopes alive during the earlier qualifying rounds. This remarkable performance has established his reputation as Iraq’s most valuable footballer after his move to Al-Karma in July 2025, a transfer that signified a record fee of 1.25 billion Iraqi dinars, underlining his rising market value to around 400,000 euros.
However, his path to the World Cup was not without challenges. On June 6, 2026, Hussein faced a discomforting experience at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport, where he was detained and questioned for seven hours by US immigration authorities while traveling with the Iraqi national team in preparation for the tournament.
Hussein's story extends beyond the football pitch; Iraq’s return to the World Cup stage symbolizes a collective aspiration for a nation that has endured hardship. Much like the unforgettable triumph in the 2007 Asian Cup, which emerged during a painful chapter of sectarian conflict, his qualifying goal resonates deeply within the fabric of Iraq’s sporting history. As the 30-year-old striker prepares to compete at the World Cup, he embodies the peak of athletic maturity and the embodiment of hope for his country’s future in football.