PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Fahad Talib Raheem |
| Date of Birth | 21/10/1994 (Age: 31) |
| Place of Birth | Baghdad, Iraq |
| Nationality | Iraqi |
| Height | 1.92-1.93 m / 6 ft 3-4 in |
| Weight | 84-92 kg |
| Position | Goalkeeper |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | #98 (Al Talaba) |
| Current Club | Al Talaba SC |
| Previous Clubs | Al Quwa Al Jawiya, Al Zawra’a, Sanat Naft Abadan |
| International Caps | 21+ |
| International Goals | 0 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 (squad member, no appearances) |
| Contract Until | 2026 |
| Market Value | €430K |
The Frozen Moment
June 2026. The FIFA World Cup. Iraq, a nation returning to the global stage after a lengthy absence, were competing with Fahad Talib as one of their most experienced campaigners. The 31-year-old goalkeeper from Baghdad had been selected in Iraq’s 26-man squad for the tournament, adding to his international caps and experience at the highest level.
When Iraq took the field against Norway, France, and Senegal, Talib watched from the bench. He was an unused substitute in all three group-stage matches. Just weeks earlier, in the final warm-up friendly against Andorra, he had played 46 minutes. But the World Cup would pass him by without a single minute of action.
The tournament ended in a 0-5 defeat to Senegal, Iraq eliminated in the group stage. But Talib had achieved something profound. The boy who had followed his father Talib Rahim and elder brother Ali into the Al Quwa Al-Jawiya youth system as a teenager, who had been supervised by the goalkeeping coach Hashim Khamis—the man Al-Jawiya supporters knew as Al-Tayara (“The Airplane”)—had achieved what every Iraqi footballer dreams of: playing at a World Cup.
Origins
Born on October 21, 1994, in Baghdad, Iraq, Fahad Talib Raheem grew up in a footballing family. He never played for any local team in his youth—instead, he went straight into Al Quwa Al-Jawiya’s youth system in his early teens and broke into the first team at just 16 years old in 2011-12.
Talib followed in the footsteps of his father, Talib Rahim, and his elder brother, Ali. Growing up, he would sit on the sidelines, attentively listening to his father’s advice to Ali. His development was overseen by the goalkeeping coach Hashim Khamis, the former Iraq and Al-Jawiya goalkeeper, whom the Al-Jawiya supporters knew as Al-Tayara (“The Airplane”). Khamis was instrumental in Talib’s development, and the fans granted the old nickname of his mentor to their new keeper.
Talib also represented Iraq at various youth levels, making 20 appearances for the Iraq U23 team between 2015 and 2016.
The Iraqi Forge
Al Quwa Al-Jawiya (2011-2019):
Talib’s career began with Iraqi giants Al Quwa Al-Jawiya. At the start of the 2014-15 season, he was regarded as the club’s third-choice goalkeeper behind Noor Sabri and Mohanad Qasim. But the club’s coach at the time, Nadhim Shaker, gave him his chance, and Talib made the no.1 spot his own.
His impressive performances led him to become a contender for the Olympic team squad. In the 2015-16 season, Talib played an instrumental role in Al-Jawiya’s legendary campaign, winning the first Iraqi FA Cup since 2003.
Talib played every match of the 2016 AFC Cup as Al Quwa Al-Jawiya became the first Iraqi team to win an Asian club competition. The following season, he was impressive once again as Al-Jawiya won the Iraqi Premier League and retained the AFC Cup. He would be the club’s number one again in 2018 as the Blue Falcons won a third straight AFC Cup.
During his first spell at Al-Jawiya, Talib accumulated 140 league appearances. His trophy collection from this period includes three AFC Champions League Two titles (2016, 2017, 2018), two Iraqi League titles (2016-17, 2020-21), and two Iraqi FA Cups (2015-16, 2020-21).
Al Zawra’a (2019-2020):
Talib moved to reigning champions Al Zawra’a ahead of the 2019-20 season due to disagreements with Al-Jawiya coach Ayoub Odisho. His tenure was short-lived—the league was first suspended due to protests and then the COVID-19 pandemic before ultimately being cancelled. Talib later stated that the “experience with Al Zawra’a was very important.”
The Return and the European Adventure
Return to Al Quwa Al-Jawiya (2020-2023):
In July 2020, Talib returned to Al Quwa Al-Jawiya. He remained with the club until 2023, winning another Iraqi Premier League title in 2020-21.
Sanat Naft Abadan (2023-2024):
On July 30, 2023, Talib moved to Iranian club Sanat Naft Abadan. He made 7-9 appearances for the Iranian side before returning to Iraq.
Al Talaba SC (2024-Present):
In August 2024, Talib joined Al Talaba SC on a free transfer. In the 2025/26 season, he made 26-29 league appearances for Al Talaba, conceding 21 goals and keeping 10 clean sheets (a 38% clean sheet rate). He also received 3 yellow cards and 1 red card across the campaign.
The Anatomy of His Game
Fahad Talib is a physically imposing goalkeeper known for his shot-stopping ability and experience. At 192-193 cm, he is a commanding presence in the box.
In Possession:
Talib is a reliable distributor. In the 2025/26 season, he completed 22 successful passes at a 66.7% success rate, with 6 accurate long balls at 35.3% accuracy. His distribution is an evolving aspect of his game.
Out of Possession:
Talib’s shot-stopping is his primary attribute. In the 2025/26 Iraqi Premier League season, he conceded 21 goals in 26 matches at a rate of 0.83 goals conceded per 90 minutes. He kept 10 clean sheets (38%) and had a 66.7% save percentage in his limited appearances.
Psychological Edge:
Talib’s career demonstrates remarkable resilience. From breaking into Al-Jawiya’s first team at 16 to becoming the club’s number one, his journey reflects a player who has consistently risen to the challenge at every level. He has been described as following in the footsteps of his father and brother, and his development was overseen by mentor Hashim Khamis.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot – 2025/26 Season
| Competition | Apps | Starts | Minutes | Goals Conceded | Clean Sheets | Clean Sheet % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iraqi Premier League | 26-29 | 21+ | 2,285+ | 21 | 10 | 38% |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — |
TABLE B: Iraqi Premier League Per-90 Statistics (2025/26)
| Category | Per 90 |
|---|---|
| Goals Conceded | 0.83 |
| Clean Sheets | 38% |
| Cards | 0.16 |
TABLE C: Career Overview
| Season(s) | Club | League/Competition | Apps |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-2019 | Al Quwa Al-Jawiya | Iraqi Premier League | 140 |
| 2019-2020 | Al Zawra’a | Iraqi Premier League | — |
| 2020-2023 | Al Quwa Al-Jawiya | Iraqi Premier League | — |
| 2023-2024 | Sanat Naft Abadan | Persian Gulf Pro League | 7-9 |
| 2024-Present | Al Talaba | Iraqi Premier League | 26+ |
TABLE D: International Record
| Tournament/Competition | Apps | Goals | Major Honours |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 0 | 0 | Group Stage |
| Gulf Cup of Nations | — | — | Winner (2023) |
| King’s Cup | — | — | Winner (2023) |
| Iraq U23 | 20 | 0 | — |
| Iraq Senior Career | 21+ | 0 | — |
TABLE E: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Professional Debut | Al Quwa Al-Jawiya |
| 2014-15 | First-Team Starter | Established as no.1 keeper |
| 2016 | AFC Cup Winner | Al Quwa Al-Jawiya |
| 2017 | AFC Cup Winner | Al Quwa Al-Jawiya |
| 2018 | AFC Cup Winner | Al Quwa Al-Jawiya |
| 2020-21 | Iraqi League Winner | Al Quwa Al-Jawiya |
| 2023 | Gulf Cup Winner | Iraq |
| 2026 | World Cup Selection | Iraq squad |
These figures reveal a player of considerable experience and achievement. Talib has accumulated over 140 league appearances for Al Quwa Al-Jawiya, won three AFC Champions League Two titles, and earned over 21 caps for Iraq. His 2026 World Cup selection marks the pinnacle of his international career.
The Present Tense
The Al Talaba Story:
Fahad Talib is currently a goalkeeper for Al Talaba SC in the Iraqi Premier League, having joined the club in August 2024. In the 2025/26 season, he made 26-29 appearances, conceding 21 goals and keeping 10 clean sheets. His market value is estimated at €430,000.
The World Cup Campaign:
Talib was named in Iraq’s 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He was an unused substitute in all three of Iraq’s group-stage matches against Norway, France, and Senegal. Iraq were eliminated in the group stage.
International Record:
Talib has earned over 21 caps for Iraq since his senior debut in 2017. He has won the Gulf Cup of Nations (2023) and the King’s Cup (2023) with Iraq. He also represented Iraq at the U23 level, making 20 appearances. He was part of Iraq’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Fahad Talib is known for his footballing pedigree. He followed his father Talib Rahim and elder brother Ali into Al Quwa Al-Jawiya. His development was overseen by mentor Hashim Khamis, the former Iraq and Al-Jawiya goalkeeper.
Talib’s honours include three AFC Champions League Two titles (2016, 2017, 2018), two Iraqi League titles (2016-17, 2020-21), two Iraqi FA Cups (2015-16, 2020-21), the Gulf Cup of Nations (2023), and the King’s Cup (2023). He has won a total of 7 titles across his career.
His market value is estimated at €430,000. He has represented Iraq at the U20, U23, and senior levels.
The Verdict from the Camp
Wikipedia Profile:
Talib’s development was overseen by goalkeeping coach Hashim Khamis, the former Iraq and Al-Jawiya goalkeeper, whom the Al-Jawiya supporters knew as Al-Tayara (“The Airplane”).
Statistic:
Talib has made over 140 league appearances for Al Quwa Al-Jawiya, winning three AFC Champions League Two titles.
Statistic:
Talib earned over 21 caps for Iraq and was selected for the 2026 World Cup squad.
Statistic:
Talib kept 10 clean sheets in 26 Iraqi Premier League appearances in the 2025/26 season (38%).
Statistic:
Talib’s market value is estimated at €430,000.
Where Next?
Fahad Talib is 31 years old and at the peak of his career. His contract with Al Talaba runs until 2026. The 2026 World Cup was a significant milestone, though he did not make an appearance. His experience and leadership at club level make him a valuable asset for Al Talaba.
A move to a more prominent league is possible given his international experience and consistent performances in the Iraqi Premier League. Alternatively, he could remain in Iraq and continue as a first-choice goalkeeper.
For Iraq, Talib represents an experienced option in goal. With over 21 caps and a World Cup experience (despite limited minutes) under his belt, he offers reliability and leadership to the national team. His shot-stopping ability and experience at the highest level make him a valuable asset.
From the youth ranks of Al Quwa Al-Jawiya to the World Cup stage, from the Iraqi Premier League to the global stage, Fahad Talib’s journey is one of pedigree, consistency, and the power of following in one’s family footsteps. The boy from Baghdad who followed his father and brother into the Blue Falcons has achieved what every Iraqi footballer dreams of—playing at a World Cup—and his legacy is already secure.
