Doha: The Iraqi national team began its campaign in the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 with a 2-1 victory over Bahrain in their opening match of Group D at the 974 Stadium. Ayman Hussein opened the scoring for the Lions of Mesopotamia in the 10th minute with a header that deflected off Bahraini goalkeeper Ibrahim Lotfallah and into the net. Mohanad Ali (Mimi) then doubled Iraq's lead in the 25th minute with a powerful shot from inside the penalty area. In the second half, Hashim Sayed Issa pulled one back for Bahrain in the 79th minute, before Ibrahim Mubarak received the first red card of the match.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, with this result, Iraq topped its group with three points, following the draw between Algeria and Sudan in the same group. It is worth noting that the Iraqi and Bahraini national teams had faced each other 23 times before today's match. Iraq won eight matches, Bahrain won six, and nine ended in a draw. Bahrain held a slight edge in goals scored, with a total of 32 goals compared to Iraq's 26.

With today's match in the Arab Cup Qatar 2025, Iraq now boasts a nine-goal advantage over Bahrain.