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  "description": "The 22-year-old winger was a second-half substitute in Iraq's 4-1 loss to Norway",
  "path": "/ahmed-qasem-makes-world-cup-debut-with-iraq/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-06-17T13:00:35.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.sixonefivesoccer.com",
  "tags": [
    "@FIFAWorldCup",
    "pic.twitter.com/DuD9JBRcpd",
    "June 16, 2026",
    "@NashvilleSC"
  ],
  "textContent": "On Tuesday, Nashville SC midfielder **Ahmed Qasem** made his World Cup debut for Iraq.\n\nThe 22-year-old came off the bench for the Lions Of Mesopotamia in their 4-1 loss to Norway, their first match at a World Cup in 40 years. Swedish-born Qasem was named to the roster after filing a one-time switch with FIFA, opting to represent his mother's country.\n\n> Add it to the collection 📒\n>\n> Ahmed's @FIFAWorldCup journey starts tonight at 5 p.m. vs. Norway 🇮🇶🌎🏆 pic.twitter.com/DuD9JBRcpd\n>\n> — Nashville SC (@NashvilleSC) June 16, 2026\n\nOn Friday, Qasem came off the bench for the final 17 minutes. The Nashville midfielder entered the match with Norway ahead 2-1, brought on to give Iraq additional firepower to chase their first-ever World Cup win.\n\nQasem touched the ball seven times, completing both his attempted passes and making a pair of recoveries. With Norway fully taking hold of the match after their second goal, it was a quieter showing from the midfielder, who found himself surrounded by multiple Norwegian defenders whenever he received the ball.\n\nIraq will take on France on Monday, June 22 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, before finishing their Group I slate with a match against Senegal in Toronto on June 26.\n\n* * *\n\nGroup I Group stage · Matchday 1 complete\n\n# Team P GD PTS Advance Win Cup\n\n1 NORNorway 1 +3 3 96% 0.6%\n\n2 FRAFrance 1 +2 3 99% 13.7%\n\n3 SENSenegal 1 -2 0 62% 1.7%\n\n4 IRQIraq 1 -3 0 12% 0%\n\nProjections from 50,000 Monte Carlo simulations · FIFA Elo (April 2026) · Matchday 1: France 3-1 Senegal, Norway 4-1 Iraq. Table sorted by points, then goal difference.",
  "title": "Nashville SC's Ahmed Qasem makes World Cup debut with Iraq",
  "updatedAt": "2026-06-17T13:00:35.870Z"
}