We here at Mad About Fútbol are excited about the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup as the host nation of South Africa prepares for the 2010 World Cup. The Confederations Cup serves as a small test run for the The Great Tournament and at Mad About Fútbol were going to preview all 8 teams in the tournament.

Let's breakdown about Iraq:

IRAQ

FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION NAME:
Iraq Football Association

FIFA COUNTRY CODE:
IRQ

TEAM NICKNAME:
Lions of Mesopotamia

HOW THEY QUALIFIED:
2007 AFC Asian Cup Winner

CONFEDERATIONS CUP HISTORY:
2009 - 1st ever participation

COACH:
Bora Milutinovic (SRB)

PLAYER TO WATCH:
The big lion of the Iraqi pride is Younis Mahmoud.

The 26-year old is the team's captain and leader and wears the #10 shirt for Iraq. The striker plays professionally in Qatar for Al-Gharafa and will be forever a hero in Iraq for scoring the game winner in the '07 Asian Cup final against Saudi Arabia. The result stunned the footballing world and was Iraq's 1st ever Asian Cup title. Mahmoud's goal brought a bit of joy & peace to a war devastated nation.

IRAQ OVERVIEW:
After Brazilian coach Jorvan Vieira led Iraq to the '07 Asian Cup, the coaching situation has been unstable, however Bora Milutinovic took over in April and his experience will stabilize the team. In Group A, they will battle with New Zealand and South Africa for 2nd place. Milutinovic's experience in international competitions will be massive and its possible that the chance to bring more joy & hope to a still ravaged nation will motivate the team. The Lions of Mesopotamia do have youth on their side with only 1 player over 30 on the roster.

CONFEDERATIONS CUP SCHEDULE:
Group A = June 14 vs. South Africa, June 17 vs. Spain, June 20 vs. New Zealand

ROSTER - JERSEY NUMBER LISTED NEXT TO NAME:
Goalkeepers (3):
1-Noor Sabri (Al-Talaba), 12-Mohammed Gassid (Al-Zawraa), 21-Uday Taleb (Dohuk)

Defenders (8):
2-Mohammed Ali Karim (Al-Jazira, UAE), 3-Bassim Abbas (Al-Talaba), 4-Fareed Majeed (Al-Talaba), 14-Salam Shakir (Al-Khor, QAT), 15-Ali Rehema (Al-Wakra, QAT), 16-Dara Mohammed (Sulaymaniyah), 19-Essam Yassin (Al-Amana), 22-Muayad Khalid (Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya)

Midfielders (8):
5-Nashat Akram (Al-Gharafa, QTR), 6-Salih Sadir (Al-Ahed, LIB), 9-Abdul-Wahab Abu Al-Hail (Sepahan, IRN), 11-Hawar Mulla Mohammed (Anorthosis Famagusta, CYP), 13-Karrar Jassim (Al-Wakra, QAT), 18-Mahdi Karim (Al-Khor, QAT), 20-Samer Saeed (Al-Ahly Tripoli, LBY), 23-Halgurd Mulla Mohammed (Sulaymaniyah)

Forwards (4):
7-Emad Mohammed (Sepahan, IRN), 8-Luay Salah (Arbil), 10-(C) Younis Mahmoud (Al-Gharafa, QAT), 17-Alaa Abdul-Zahra (Al-Khor, QAT)

The next nation we will breakdown on Mad About Fútbol's Confederations Cup Preview is New Zealand. So keep logging on to Mad About Fútbol to get the info you need for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup.