Iraq have qualified for the World Cup once in 1986. They have also qualified for the Asian Cup six times and won the event in 2007. Despite the invasion of Iraq the football team carried on playing in international tournaments. In the 2004 Olympics Iraq finished fourth beating Portugal on the way.

Iraq failed to qualify for the 2006 World Cup by finishing second in their group to Uzbekistan. Iraq started of their campaign well with a 1 - 1 draw away from home to the eventual group winners. They couldn't repeat this performance when they faced Uzbekistan at home and ended up losing 2 - 1.