PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ahmed Hassan Maknzi Salman Al-Lami Al-Reeshawee |
| Date of Birth | 24 September 2001 (Age: 24) |
| Place of Birth | Baghdad, Iraq |
| Nationality | Iraqi |
| Height | 1.80–1.83 m / 5 ft 11 in |
| Weight | 73 kg / 161 lbs |
| Position | Left-Back |
| Preferred Foot | Left |
| Squad Number | #3 (Al-Karma) |
| Current Club | Al-Karma SC |
| Previous Clubs | Al-Zawraa, Erbil, Al-Najaf |
| International Caps | 6+ |
| International Goals | 0 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 (squad member) |
| Market Value | €400K |
The Frozen Moment
The Estadio Monumental, Santiago. June 26, 2026. Iraq and Senegal, locked in a World Cup group-stage clash that would test the Lions of Mesopotamia against African quality. For Ahmed Maknzi, the 24-year-old left-back from Baghdad who had been a late addition to the squad, replacing the injured Ahmed Yahya just weeks before the tournament, this was the moment that made every sacrifice worthwhile. The boy who had come through Al-Zawraa’s youth ranks, who had represented Iraq at the U23 level and the 2024 Summer Olympics, who had been on the fringes of the senior team, had finally stepped onto football’s grandest stage.
He entered the match in the second half as a substitute against Senegal, playing the final 33 minutes of a 5-0 defeat. The result was heavy, but for Maknzi, the World Cup appearance was a personal triumph. The tournament had been a rollercoaster—he was an unused substitute against France and Norway, but against Senegal, he finally got his chance. Iraq finished bottom of their group, eliminated without a point, but Maknzi had achieved the dream that had eluded so many of his countrymen. For the Lions of Mesopotamia, making their first World Cup appearance in 40 years, the tournament was about more than results—it was about history. And Maknzi was part of it.
Origins
Ahmed Hassan Maknzi was born on September 24, 2001, in Baghdad, Iraq. He is left-footed and plays primarily as a left-back.
His footballing journey began in the youth system of Al-Zawraa, one of Iraq’s most historic clubs, where he developed through the ranks before making his senior debut with the club in 2019. He spent four seasons at Al-Zawraa, establishing himself as a promising young defender.
His international career began at the youth level. He represented Iraq U18, earning 7 caps in 2019, and became a regular for the Iraq U23 side, making 24 appearances between 2021 and 2024. He was part of the Iraq U23 team that won the 2023 WAFF U-23 Championship on home soil. In 2024, he represented Iraq at the Summer Olympics, featuring in all three group matches and providing an assist against Argentina in a historic 2-1 upset victory over Ukraine.
Maknzi made his senior international debut on December 25, 2024, in the Arabian Gulf Cup against Bahrain. He has since earned 6+ caps for the senior national team.
The Forge
Al-Zawraa (2019–2023):
Maknzi began his senior professional career at Al-Zawraa in 2019. He spent four seasons at the club, where he developed as a left-back and gained valuable experience in the Iraqi Premier League.
Erbil (2023–2024):
In the summer of 2022, Maknzi moved to Erbil SC, where he made 28 league appearances and scored 1 goal. His time at Erbil helped him establish himself as a reliable defender in the Iraqi top flight.
Al-Najaf (2024–2025):
In August 2024, Maknzi transferred to Al-Najaf, where he made 35 league appearances and scored 3 goals. His attacking contributions from left-back were notable—scoring 3 goals in a single season is a solid return for a defender.
Al-Karma (2025–Present):
On July 23, 2025, Maknzi joined Al-Karma in the Iraq Stars League. He made 22 league appearances in the 2025–26 season, scoring 5 goals—an impressive tally for a full-back. He currently wears the number 3 shirt for the club.
International Career:
Maknzi’s senior international career has been defined by patience and opportunity. He made his senior debut on December 25, 2024, against Bahrain in the Arabian Gulf Cup. He has since earned 6+ caps for Iraq, featuring in friendlies and the 2025 FIFA Arab Cup. On May 19, 2026, he was named in Iraq’s 34-man preliminary squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and was later included in the final 26-man squad on June 6, replacing the injured Ahmed Yahya. At the World Cup, he made one substitute appearance against Senegal on June 26, 2026, playing 33 minutes.
The Anatomy of His Game
Ahmed Maknzi is a 24-year-old left-back defined by his defensive solidity, attacking contributions, and versatility. Standing at 1.80–1.83 meters, he is a modern full-back who contributes on both sides of the ball.
In Possession:
Maknzi is a capable attacking contributor from left-back. In the 2025–26 season at Al-Karma, he scored 5 goals in 22 appearances—a prolific return for a defender. At the 2024 Summer Olympics, he provided an assist against Argentina. He is left-footed, giving him a natural advantage on the left flank.
Out of Possession:
Defensively, Maknzi is a solid presence. At the World Cup against Senegal, he recorded 2 tackles and 0 interceptions in 33 minutes of playing time. He has shown discipline at the international level—he did not receive a yellow card in his 2026 World Cup appearances. His defensive contributions at the 2025 FIFA Arab Cup and World Cup friendlies have been noted.
Psychological Edge:
Maknzi’s mental resilience is demonstrated by his ability to seize opportunities. He was a late addition to Iraq’s World Cup squad, replacing the injured Ahmed Yahya. Instead of being a passive squad member, he made his World Cup debut against Senegal, playing 33 minutes. His journey from the youth ranks of Al-Zawraa to the World Cup reflects a player who has consistently been ready when called upon.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2025/26 Season & World Cup)
| Competition | Apps | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iraq Stars League (Al-Karma) | 22 | — | 5 | — | — |
| Friendlies (Iraq) | 2 | 106 | 0 | 0 | — |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 (Iraq) | 1 | 33 | 0 | 0 | 6.7 |
TABLE B: Career (League)
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019–2023 | Al-Zawraa | Iraqi Premier League | — | 1 |
| 2022–2024 | Erbil SC | Iraqi Premier League | 28 | 1 |
| 2024–2025 | Al-Najaf | Iraqi Premier League | 35 | 3 |
| 2025–2026 | Al-Karma | Iraq Stars League | 22 | 5 |
TABLE C: International Record (2024–2026)
| Tournament/Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friendlies | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Arabian Gulf Cup | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| TOTAL | 6+ | 0 | 0 |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Born | Baghdad, Iraq |
| 2019 | U18 Caps | 7 appearances for Iraq U18 |
| 2019 | Professional Debut | Al-Zawraa |
| 2021–2024 | U23 Regular | 24 appearances for Iraq U23 |
| 2023 | WAFF U-23 Champion | With Iraq U23 |
| 2024 | Iraq Senior Debut | vs Bahrain, Arabian Gulf Cup |
| 2024 | Summer Olympics | Featured in all 3 group matches |
| 2026 | World Cup Selection | Added to Iraq’s 26-man squad |
| 2026 | World Cup Appearance | vs Senegal, 33 minutes |
What these figures reveal is a player of steady progression and impressive attacking output from full-back. Maknzi has accumulated over 85 league appearances across multiple Iraqi clubs by age 24, with 10 goals scored—a solid return for a defender. His 6+ international caps and World Cup appearance represent a significant achievement for a player who was a late addition to the squad. His market value of €400K reflects his status as a promising left-back in Iraqi football.
The Present Tense
Ahmed Maknzi is 24 years old, entering the prime of his career. He is Al-Karma’s left-back, an Iraqi international with 6+ caps, and a 2026 World Cup participant.
The Al-Karma Story:
Maknzi joined Al-Karma in July 2025 and has made 22 league appearances, scoring 5 goals. He has established himself as a key player for the club, contributing goals and assists from left-back.
The World Cup Campaign:
Maknzi was a late addition to Iraq’s 2026 World Cup squad, replacing the injured Ahmed Yahya just weeks before the tournament. He was an unused substitute in Iraq’s first two matches against Norway and France. On June 26, 2026, he made his World Cup debut against Senegal, playing 33 minutes in a 5-0 defeat. Iraq finished bottom of their group and were eliminated.
International Record:
Maknzi has earned 6+ caps for Iraq since his debut in December 2024. He has represented Iraq in friendlies, the Arabian Gulf Cup, the 2025 FIFA Arab Cup, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Ahmed Maknzi is defined by his journey from Baghdad’s youth system to the World Cup. Born in the Iraqi capital, he developed through Al-Zawraa’s youth ranks and has been a professional since 2019.
His international career has been one of steady progression. From representing Iraq U18 in 2019 to becoming a regular for the U23 side, he has consistently been part of the national team setup. He has represented Iraq at the U23 level, including at the 2023 WAFF U-23 Championship and the 2024 Summer Olympics.
His World Cup selection was the culmination of a journey that began in the youth ranks of Al-Zawraa. He was a late addition to the squad, replacing an injured teammate, but he seized the opportunity and made his World Cup debut. At 24, he has already achieved what many Iraqi footballers could only dream of.
The Verdict from the Camp
FIFA
, on Maknzi’s World Cup inclusion:
Maknzi was added to Iraq’s World Cup roster as a depth option at the back.
RotoWire
, on Maknzi’s World Cup call-up:
Maknzi has been added to Iraq’s roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He’s been added to the roster after Ahmed Yahya (undisclosed) suffered a muscular injury that will prevent him from playing in the tournament during the friendly against Spain earlier this week.
Gulf Daily News
, on Maknzi’s call-up:
Iraq have called up Ahmed Hassan Makenzie to their 2026 World Cup squad to replace Ahmed Yahya, who has been ruled out of the tournament with a hamstring injury.
FBref
, on Maknzi’s World Cup debut:
Maknzi made his World Cup debut against Senegal on June 26, 2026, playing 33 minutes and recording 2 tackles.
FotMob
, on Maknzi’s World Cup performance:
Maknzi earned a 6.7 rating in his 32-minute appearance against Senegal at the World Cup.
Where Next?
Ahmed Maknzi is 24 years old and entering the prime of his career. He is established at Al-Karma, an Iraqi international, and a World Cup participant.
For Iraq
, Maknzi is part of the national team setup. At 24, he has already earned international caps and played in a World Cup. He will be expected to continue contributing to the Lions of Mesopotamia in future tournaments, including the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. His experience at the World Cup, even in limited minutes, will be valuable.
For Al-Karma
, Maknzi is a valuable asset. He has established himself as a key player and scored 5 goals in 22 appearances in the 2025–26 season. His market value is estimated at €400K. He will be expected to continue his impressive form and help Al-Karma compete in the Iraq Stars League.
His career trajectory is one of steady progression—from Al-Zawraa’s youth ranks to the first team, from Erbil to Al-Najaf to Al-Karma, from U18 international to a World Cup participant. He has overcome the challenge of being a late addition to the World Cup squad and has made the most of his opportunity.
The boy from Baghdad who rose through Al-Zawraa’s youth ranks, who represented Iraq at the U23 level and the Olympics, who was a late addition to the World Cup squad and made his debut on the global stage—Ahmed Maknzi’s journey is a story of perseverance, opportunity, and the pursuit of a dream on football’s greatest stage.
