The Iraq national football team began their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign against Norway earlier this week. While the Lions of Mesopotamia suffered a defeat against Erling Haaland's side, one man captured the attention of football fans around the world, Aymen Hussein.
The Iraqi captain found the back of the net with a brilliant header in the 39th minute, cancelling out Haaland's opener and giving Iraqi supporters a moment of joy on their long-awaited return to the FIFA World Cup after four decades.
Although Iraq could not secure a positive result, Hussein's goal was more than just a strike on the scoresheet. It was the latest chapter in an inspiring journey marked by tragedy, resilience and determination.
Speaking after the match, Iraq head coach Graham Arnold praised his star striker.
"He's that type of player who is very difficult to control in the box and I'm very happy and proud of him," Arnold said.
As Hussein's name began making headlines during the tournament, many fans became curious about the remarkable story behind the Iraqi forward.
Who is Aymen Hussein?
Aymen Hussein is a 30-year-old Iraqi professional footballer who captains the Iraq national team and plays as a centre-forward for Al-Karma.
He has become one of the country's biggest football stars and played a crucial role in helping Iraq qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026, ending a 40-year absence from the tournament.
However, Hussein's path to football success was far from easy. Born and raised in Iraq's Al-Hawija district, Hussein lost his father when he was just 12 years old after he was shot dead by Al-Qaeda militants. Years later, his family suffered another devastating blow when his brother was kidnapped by ISIS.
Despite suffering a lot of personal hardships, Hussein refused to give up on his dream of becoming a professional footballer. Encouraged by his mother, he continued pursuing football even when family responsibilities threatened to end his career.
"I decided to quit playing football to take care of my family, but my mother refused," Hussein once revealed. "She asked me to continue playing."
His determination eventually paid off as he rose through the ranks of Iraqi football and established himself as the nation's leading striker.
Reflecting on his early career, Hussein spoke about his passion for the game.
"Honestly, I was ready to play for free. You may not imagine what it meant to me to play with players from the Iraqi national team at that time. Playing with Dohuk was the dream of my life at that time," he said.
Detained Upon Arrival In The United States
Even before kicking a ball at the FIFA World Cup 2026, Hussein found himself making headlines.
Upon Iraq's arrival in the United States for the tournament, the striker was reportedly detained by US immigration officials at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. Hussein was questioned for several hours and underwent phone checks before eventually being allowed entry.
The Iraqi Football Association later revealed that national team photographer Talal Salah faced even greater difficulties.
"National team photographer Talal Salah was held for more than 10 hours, underwent similar phone checks, and was ultimately denied entry into the United States," the association stated.
ALSO READ: Portugal vs DR Congo Match Result: Les Léopards Shock Cristiano Ronaldo's Side In Historic 1-1 Draw
A Story That Continues To Inspire
From losing his father to terrorism, overcoming family tragedy and leading Iraq back to the FIFA World Cup after 40 years, Aymen Hussein's journey is one of the most inspiring stories of the tournament.
While Iraq still have matches left to play in their World Cup campaign, Hussein will remain in the spotlight not only because of his goals but also because of the extraordinary resilience that brought him to football's biggest stage.