Ipswich striker Ali Al-Hamadi says he and the rest of the Iraq squad want to give people "something to remember" as they prepare to open their World Cup campaign on Tuesday night against Norway.
Al-Hamadi, now 24, was a baby when his mother and father escaped Saddam Hussein's Iraqi regime in the early 2000s and moved to Liverpool.
He represented Liverpool schoolboys before joining Tranmere Rovers and eventually signing for Ipswich two years ago, spending last season on loan at Luton Town in League One.
He has scored five goals in 29 appearances for Ipswich.
"We know it's tournament football and we know upsets have happened before," Al-Hamadi told BBC Radio Suffolk.
"We just want to enjoy this experience and represent Iraq in the best way possible in terms of football, but also in terms of us as people, as a nation. We want to give people something to remember.
"If you go down you have to go down trying your best.
"There are people from all different backgrounds, cultures and environments, but at the root we're all Iraqi and we're coming here to represent our people.
"It's a joy to be a part of."
Listen to the full chat below or on BBC Sounds
This video can not be played
Messi scores his first World Cup hat trick in his sixth World Cup to beat Algeria – reaction
England will not adapt style despite USA heat – Tuchel
No stage too big – Haaland arrives in style at World Cup
John Aldridge’s touchline temper at USA '94
Relive the 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France
Zander Murray explores what is being done to tackle homophobia in football
Olivier Giroud on Mbappé and winning the World Cup
Project Mbappe – the road to becoming France's record scorer
Tuchel's defensive gambles and what do they say about Alexander-Arnold?
Meet the striker who doesn't score often – but Scotland win when he does
Iran v Iran in the stands as politics and football intertwine
The 40-year-old keeper who inspired Cape Verde's historic debut
World Cup hydration breaks – who are the winners and losers?
Why Shinnecock may not offer the US Open test it has in the past
Prem talking points: Bath's missing drop-goal, Feyi-Waboso's shower & Pollock's revenge
Hamilton's first Ferrari win a statement to himself and rest of F1
'The new Emma' – positives Raducanu can take from Queen's to Wimbledon
Fifa World Cup team guide
Why T20 World Cup matters to England and wider game
Messi, Maradona or Pele? Ranking the top 10 World Cup legends
Play BBC Sport's new World Cup predictor game
'Mazadona', 'Einstein', 'The Ant' – 20 new players to watch at the 2026 World Cup
Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
