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Aymen Hussein prepares for World Cup after personal tragedies

BBC Sport • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 15, 2026, 7:11 AM

Last updated Jun 15, 2026

Aymen Hussein prepares for World Cup after personal tragedies

Summary

Aymen Hussein, Iraq's World Cup hope, reflects on his difficult past ahead of the tournament opener against Norway on Tuesday. Hussein, who scored the decisive goal securing Iraq's first World Cup berth in 40 years, experienced significant personal loss, including the death of his father and the kidnapping of his brother. Despite these hardships, he has continued to excel in football, supported by his mother. The Iraqi team, which also includes France and Senegal in their group, is looking to Hussein's experience to make a mark in the tournament.

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By the Numbers

•Aymen Hussein lost his father to violence and his brother remains missing.
•He scored the goal that qualified Iraq for the World Cup after 40 years.
•The Iraqi national team will compete against Norway, France, and Senegal.
•Hussein faced challenges with visa and border questions before the tournament.
•Iraqi goalkeeper Jalal Hassan emphasized Hussein's crucial role for the team.

Latest Updates

2:20 AMBBC Sport — From tragedy to World Cup history - Iraq scorer Hussein's story
7:11 AMYahoo Sports — How Hussein overcome loss and pain to become Iraq's World Cup hope

What they're saying

"
When Iraq's World Cup hope, Aymen Hussein, talks about his life, the focus isn't on goals and titles, but on loss and pain. The national team striker lost his father as a child and a few years later, his brother was kidnapped and they haven't heard from him since.
— Yahoo Sports