PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ibrahim Bayesh Kamil Al-Kaabawi |
| Date of Birth | 1 May 2000 (Age: 26) |
| Place of Birth | Iraq |
| Nationality | Iraqi |
| Height | 1.77–1.83 m / 5 ft 9 in–6 ft 0 in |
| Weight | 73–74 kg / 161–163 lbs |
| Position | Midfielder / Right Winger |
| Preferred Foot | — |
| Squad Number | #29 |
| Current Club | Al Dhafra (on loan from Al-Riyadh) |
| Previous Clubs | Al-Zawraa, Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya, Al-Riyadh |
| International Caps | 53+ |
| International Goals | 8+ |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Contract Until | — |
| Market Value | — |
The Frozen Moment
The 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America represented the pinnacle of Ibrahim Bayesh’s international journey. The 26-year-old winger was named in Graham Arnold’s final squad for the tournament, cementing his place as a key figure in Iraq’s World Cup campaign. His importance to the team was underscored just days before the tournament when he captained Iraq in a friendly against Spain at the Riazor Stadium.
Despite facing vocal criticism from Iraqi fans on social media, Bayesh had earned the trust of four different national team coaches since his debut in 2018. His World Cup selection confirmed his status as an indispensable part of Arnold’s tactical project.
At the tournament, Bayesh made a substitute appearance in Iraq’s group-stage match against Norway on 16 June 2026, playing 19 minutes. Iraq were eliminated in the group stage. For a player who had been written off by critics and whose recent club moves had limited his match fitness, the World Cup was an opportunity to prove his worth on the biggest stage of all.
Origins
Ibrahim Bayesh was born on 1 May 2000 in Iraq. He began his football journey in Iraq’s domestic league, making his senior debut for Al-Zawraa in 2017-18, making 3 appearances and scoring 1 goal. He later moved to Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya (also known as Al-Qowa), where he established himself as a key player and won the Iraqi Premier League.
His performances in the Iraqi league earned him a move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Riyadh in the Saudi Pro League, a significant step in his professional development.
The Professional Forge
Al-Zawraa & Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya (2017-2023):
Bayesh’s professional career began in Iraq. He played for Al-Zawraa during the 2017-18 season, making 3 appearances and scoring 1 goal. He then moved to Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya, where he spent several seasons and became a regular contributor in both domestic and continental competitions.
His most productive season for Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya came in 2021-22, when he made 6 league appearances, scoring 1 goal, and featured in the AFC Champions League. In the 2022-23 season, he scored 3 goals in 11 league appearances and also featured in the Gulf Cup with the national team.
Al-Riyadh (2023-2025):
Bayesh’s move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Riyadh in the Saudi Pro League marked a significant step in his career. His debut season at the club was highly productive: he made 32 league appearances (31 starts), playing 2,703 minutes, and scored 5 goals with 2 assists. His performances helped Al-Riyadh finish 11th in the league.
In the 2025-26 season, Bayesh continued at Al-Riyadh but his role diminished. He made 12 appearances (11 starts), playing 1,021 minutes, and scored 1 goal. He received 5 yellow cards and 1 red card. Al-Riyadh finished 15th in the league.
Al Dhafra (2025-2026):
In the winter transfer window of the 2025-26 season, Bayesh moved from Al-Riyadh to UAE Pro League side Al Dhafra. The move was expected to provide him with regular first-team football, but he struggled to establish himself as a starter. He made only 9 appearances for Al Dhafra without scoring, and his lack of minutes raised concerns about his physical readiness for the World Cup.
International Career
Senior Debut & Rise:
Bayesh made his senior debut for the Iraq national team in 2018. He quickly became a regular in the squad, earning the trust of four different national team coaches. His international career has included appearances in World Cup qualifying, the Asian Cup, and multiple Gulf Cup of Nations tournaments.
Bayesh has played a total of 73 international matches and scored 8 goals, with 6 of those goals coming in competitive fixtures. His international goals include strikes in World Cup qualifying, the WAFF Championship, and the Arabian Gulf Cup.
2026 World Cup Campaign:
On 31 May 2026, Bayesh was named in Iraq’s 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, selected among the midfield options by head coach Graham Arnold. He was even entrusted with the captain’s armband in a friendly against Spain just days before the tournament.
At the World Cup, Bayesh made one substitute appearance—coming on in the 71st minute of Iraq’s opening group match against Norway on 16 June 2026, playing 19 minutes. Iraq were eliminated in the group stage.
International Record:
Bayesh has earned 53+ caps for Iraq and scored 8+ international goals. He has represented Iraq at the 2019 WAFF Championship, multiple Arabian Gulf Cups, the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Controversy: Indispensable Yet Criticised
Despite his consistent selection for the national team, Bayesh has faced significant criticism from Iraqi fans on social media. Critics point to his relatively modest goal tally for a winger and his lack of regular playing time at club level.
However, Iraqi coach Ahmed Wali has publicly defended Bayesh, explaining that his value extends beyond goals and assists:
“His real importance lies in his movements without the ball, in opening spaces and exhausting the opponent’s full-back even if he doesn’t receive the ball.”
He added: “Bayesh is a constant engine between the lines, never stopping running from defense to attack. He performs tactical tasks that are not visible to the public.”
Wali acknowledged Bayesh’s physical conditioning issues, noting that the move to the UAE had not given him the minutes he needed. But he stressed: “Iraq has an urgent need for Bayesh at the World Cup. The World Cup could be a turning point in his career.”
The Anatomy of His Game
Bayesh is a right-footed midfielder who primarily operates as a right winger. He is known for his work rate, tactical intelligence, and ability to create space for teammates through off-ball movement.
In Possession:
Bayesh is a creative presence on the flank. In the 2024-25 Saudi Pro League season, he scored 5 goals and provided 2 assists in 32 appearances. His shot accuracy in that season was 36.4%, with 12 shots on target from 33 attempts. In the 2025-26 season, his minutes were more limited, but he maintained a 44.4% shot accuracy. Across his career, he has accumulated 13 goals in 130 matches.
Out of Possession:
Bayesh’s work rate is his standout attribute. He has been praised for his ability to press high and support transitions, with his coaches describing him as a “constant engine” who never stops running. His defensive contributions include exhausting opposition full-backs through persistent movement.
Psychological Edge:
Bayesh’s career is defined by resilience in the face of criticism. Despite the constant social media scrutiny and concerns about his club form, he has retained the trust of every Iraq coach he has played under. His ability to perform the “invisible” tactical tasks required by his coaches has made him indispensable to the national team setup.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: 2024/25 Season Snapshot (Al-Riyadh)
| Competition | Apps | Starts | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Yellow Cards | Red Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saudi Pro League | 32 | 31 | 2,703 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
TABLE B: 2025/26 Season Snapshot
| Club | Competition | Apps | Starts | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Yellow Cards | Red Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Al-Riyadh | Saudi Pro League | 12 | 11 | 1,021 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 |
| Al Dhafra | UAE Pro League | 9 | 8 | 593 | 0 | 0 | — | — |
TABLE C: 2026 World Cup Snapshot
| Competition | Apps | Starts | Minutes | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 1 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 0 |
TABLE D: International Record
| Competition | Apps | Goals | Major Honours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iraq Senior Career | 53+ | 8+ | — |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 1 | 0 | — |
| AFC Asian Cup 2023 | 4 | 0 | — |
| Gulf Cup of Nations | — | — | Winner (2023) |
TABLE E: Career Achievements
| Honour | Details |
|---|---|
| Gulf Cup of Nations Winner | 2023 (Iraq) |
| King’s Cup Winner | 2 (2023, 2025) |
| International Caps | 53+ |
| International Goals | 8+ |
| Club Career Appearances | 130+ |
| Club Career Goals | 13+ |
What these figures reveal is a player who has been a consistent presence at international level but whose club form has fluctuated. His 5-goal season at Al-Riyadh in 2024-25 demonstrates his attacking quality at the Saudi Pro League level. However, his move to Al Dhafra in 2025-26 yielded just 9 appearances without a goal, raising concerns about his physical readiness for the World Cup. His 53+ caps and 8 international goals at age 26 reflect his importance to the Iraqi national team.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Bayesh is a polarising figure in Iraqi football. His consistent selection for the national team, despite criticism from fans, has made him a subject of debate on social media platforms. Critics often compare him unfavourably to Iraqi players based in Europe and the Americas, such as Ahmed Qasim of Nashville SC and Muntadhar Al-Majed of Hammarby IF.
His coaches have repeatedly defended him, arguing that his off-the-ball work and tactical discipline make him irreplaceable in the national team setup. Iraqi coach Ahmed Wali has publicly stated that Bayesh’s value is not measured solely by goals and dribbles.
His journey from Iraq’s domestic league to the Saudi Pro League and the UAE Pro League reflects a willingness to challenge himself at higher levels. The 2026 World Cup, despite his limited minutes, was the culmination of a career built on persistence and the trust of his coaches.
The Verdict from the Camp
Ahmed Wali, Iraq Coach:
“Ibrahim is one of the most important elements of the national team because he performs tactical tasks that are not visible to the public. He is a constant engine between the lines, never stopping running from defense to attack. His real importance lies in his movements without the ball, in opening spaces and exhausting the opponent’s full-back even if he doesn’t receive the ball.”
“Every coach has his philosophy and chooses the player who applies his instructions with precision. Bayesh was a preferred option for Jesus Casas, and today he is a key piece for Arnold.”
“Iraq needs Bayesh urgently at the World Cup. He must distance himself from the noise of social media and focus on improving his fitness. The World Cup could be a turning point in his career.”
Where Next?
Ibrahim Bayesh is 26 years old and at a crossroads in his career. His World Cup experience, though brief, was an important milestone. After a limited stint at Al Dhafra in the UAE, he will need to secure regular first-team football to maintain his place in the national team setup.
For Iraq, Bayesh remains a valuable tactical asset. Despite the criticism, he has been a constant presence in the squad, earning the trust of four different coaches. His future with the national team will depend on his ability to regain match fitness and form at club level.
From the Iraqi domestic league to Saudi Arabia, from the UAE to the World Cup, Ibrahim Bayesh’s journey is a story of perseverance, tactical value, and resilience in the face of criticism. The boy who debuted in 2018 is now a World Cup player—and a symbol of the sometimes-invisible work that wins matches.
