Al-Hamadi's Iraq Exit World Cup After Senegal Thrashing
Friday, 26th Jun 2026 22:11

Blues striker Ali Al-Hamadi played the first 58 minutes as 10-man Iraq were thrashed 5-0 by Senegal in Toronto, ending their participation in the World Cup.

Iraq, who had lost their opening two games, got off to the worst possible start when they conceded after four minutes.

Matters got worse on 13 when referee Anthony Taylor showed Rebin Sulaka a straight red card following a VAR review for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity.

The game was little contest from there and the Senegalese romped to victory to secure third place and appear certain to go through to the knockout stages.

Iraq go home without a point, Al-Hamadi, the 11th Town player to appear at a World Cup finals, having started two of their games and come off the bench in the other to take his international appearances tally to 22 but without adding to his five international goals.

Senegal’s victory all but ended Scotland and George Hirst’s hopes of progressing to the next round with the Blues’ striker not having made it onto the field during the Scots’ three group games.

Photo: Reuters

Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.

Page:
1

armchaircritic59 added 00:07 - Jun 27

Well I don't think anyone would have failed to predict neither Iraq or Scotland getting out of the group stage. At least Scotland did have two other strong teams in their group, but 1 goal in three matches and non from a " striker " tells the tale I said would happen pre tournament without the only decent front man they've got. I would imagine Scotland fans have put that down to Clarke and rightly so. To be honest it probably wouldn't have made much difference in the long run.

Wickets added 06:26 - Jun 27 I'm no Scotland fan but I did expect them to make a better fist of it maybe beat Haiti by a couple of goals or even play out of their skin to get a draw with Morocco, so really poor show .
6

WilmslowBlue added 06:47 - Jun 27 I was rather hoping to see AAH and GH to have good tournaments to increase their sales value, but alas, I was wrong. To be fair, AAH never stood a chance yesterday with his team going down to 10 so early
2

FlowerofScotland added 07:32 - Jun 27 O'Neil's first challenge is to get rid of these two.
8

ITFC_1994 added 07:41 - Jun 27

Unlucky lads- playing in a world cup is a huge achievement and a dream of all of ours!

Ali did ok against France, given a better account of himself the Hirst has done- Scotland fans can't believe how he is a pro, let alone premier league, footballer...

Striking dept our biggest priority this summer. People turning their noses up at Wilson, but he's a huge upgrade on anything we have.

tractorboybig added 09:15 - Jun 27 Flower of Scotland……..oriels first challenge is to off load eleven mate
0

benslifeyt added 10:11 - Jun 27 Hirst will be fine for a 3rd choice in prem but thats all . For our first season . After that id off load if we stay up
3

WeWereZombies added 10:56 - Jun 27 In fairness to Iraq, they were in the nearest thing this World Cup had to a 'Group of Death'. It was never going to be easy and Al Hamidi did as well as any striker could have done given the pressure for almost constant defending that his team were under - he was the upper layer of a boot and a few inches wide of a post of scoring at a World Cup.
4

d77sgw added 12:47 - Jun 27

I think we can all agree that AAH has no long-term future at ITFC, but I don’t understand the hate for Hirst. Guy got 11 goals last season from 25 starts, and generally linked the play well when he came on. Also got a few in the Prem from memory. Dont’t get me wrong, he’s 100% not a Prem-quality starter, but as a back-up striker, and someone who brings a lot to the dressing room culture, he’s definitely someone worth keeping IMO.

boysof1981 added 13:09 - Jun 27 Don’t think Hirst or AAH have a future here for next season if we’re serious of staying up. Hirst possibly as third choice but I doubt he’d accept that. AAH is League 1 at best unfortunately
5

Ferguson added 16:11 - Jun 27 So assuming its thank you and goodnight to those two, who would you like to see join us from the World Cup teams we realistically could afford ?
0

dubblue added 16:15 - Jun 27 Would have expected Scotland to progress but agree Iraq were in a group of death Expect GH to stay but he may struggle to get game time as with Scotland! Can’t see AAH remaining with Town
1

armchaircritic59 added 18:18 - Jun 27

My own personal view is George is not good enough for the PL now. I thought he did well as back up to Delap there last time, but he appears to have deteriorated for whatever reason. If he could rediscover that form, I'd have no objections to him as back up to the back up, though I think he might!

As for Ali, there's no chance. Always gives 100% and a really likeable guy, I hope he can find a level and a club where he can prosper.

timbousa added 21:15 - Jun 27 Got the AAH Panini sticker today. I was strangely excited. At the end of his career, at least he can say that he played in a World Cup and has his own sticker. A life well lived.
1

armchaircritic59 added 00:38 - Jun 28 Ferguson, I have long memories. Signing players after a decent game or two at a World Cup or Euro's can be fraught with danger. As we found out with Amir Karic. Guy looked really good. Reality was when he got here he barely put on the shirt. I'm not saying you can't find players at these events, I am saying Caveat Emptor!
1

kiwiblue added 00:55 - Jun 28 I hope Ali can do a good job with a lower level team. Always trys his best but not suited to the style we played.. Well done making it at a professional team level and playing in a world cup for his homeland. That in itself is a great success for somebody with his background. I for one will follow his career and support him.
0