ZURICH (AP) — world cup Two new players could be selected for leaders Iraq after FIFA approved the eligibility of Nashville SC midfielder Ahmed Kasem and Dundee United defender Dario Namo.
Both players are subject to FIFA rules on binding nationality changes due to their family ties to Iraq. Despite travel issues due to the Middle East conflict, the national team qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 40 years in March.
The tough World Cup group includes France, Norway and Senegal, all of whom have talented forwards such as Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland and Sadio Mane.
Iraq manager Graham Arnold He previously led his native Australia at the 2022 World Cup and will now be able to name two more European-developed players.
Kasem, 22, was born in Sweden and represented his country at youth level up to the Under-21s.
He transferred from Elfsborg to Major League Soccer team Nashville last year.
Namo, 20, was born in Finland and was still playing for the Under-21 team in March.
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AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
