The Iraqi football progress continues to impress fans as the national team climbs in FIFA’s latest global rankings. According to FIFA’s update on October 17, 2025, Iraq rose one position to reach 57th place worldwide. This improvement reflects the team’s strong performance in recent qualifying matches and its growing momentum ahead of the next World Cup play-offs.
The Iraqi Football Association announced that the national team now holds 1,428.69 points. This total keeps Iraq as the seventh-best team in Asia, maintaining its lead over strong regional rivals such as Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates. Despite fierce competition, Iraq remains determined to close the gap with Asia’s top teams, including Japan, Iran, South Korea, Australia, Qatar, and Uzbekistan.
This latest rise in ranking mirrors the squad’s steady development and confidence on the field. Iraq’s victories in the AFC World Cup Qualifiers played a major role in this climb. The team secured a crucial 1-0 win against Indonesia and managed a tough 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia. These results, however, pushed Iraq into the next stage of qualification, boosting morale and national pride.
The country’s fans have seen the Iraqi football progress before. In October 2004, Iraq reached its highest-ever ranking, 39th globally, following its stunning performance in the Athens Olympics. That historic moment remains an inspiration for today’s players and a reminder of Iraq’s potential in world football.
Looking ahead, the challenge intensifies. The national team will face the United Arab Emirates on November 13 and November 18 in the fifth round of the World Cup play-offs. Both matches will be critical for Iraq’s journey toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The players as well as coaching staff are preparing with focus and determination, knowing that every point matters.
As Iraq’s performance improves, optimism spreads across the nation. Fans believe that this new chapter marks a turning point for the Iraqi football progress. The team’s spirit, discipline, and ambition are driving it closer to global recognition. With each match, Iraq strengthens its dream of returning to the world stage and showcasing its footballing pride.
