PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Rebin Gharib Sulaka Adhamat |
| Date of Birth | 12 April 1992 (Age: 34) |
| Place of Birth | Ankawa, Iraq |
| Nationality | Iraqi |
| Height | 1.92–1.93 m / 6 ft 4 in |
| Weight | 82–83 kg |
| Position | Centre-Back |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Current Club | Port FC |
| Previous Clubs | Eskilstuna City, Dalkurd FF, Ljungskile SK, Syrianska FC, AFC United (loan), Elverum, Al-Markhiya, Al-Khor, Al-Shahaniya, Radnički Niš, Arda Kardzhali, Levski Sofia, Buriram United, IF Brommapojkarna, FC Seoul, FC Schaffhausen, Erbil SC |
| International Caps | 56+ |
| International Goals | 1+ |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Contract Until | — |
| Market Value | €96K |
The Frozen Moment
Toronto, Canada. June 26, 2026. Iraq and Senegal were locked in a must-win World Cup group-stage clash, and the Lions of Mesopotamia were chasing their first-ever knockout-round appearance. But just 13 minutes into the match, the moment that would define Rebin Sulaka’s World Cup arrived—and it was a nightmare.
Sadio Mané was clean through on goal, and Sulaka, the 34-year-old centre-back, was the last defender. He tugged the Senegalese star’s shirt, bringing him down. Referee Anthony Taylor showed a straight red card. Iraq were down to ten men with over 77 minutes still to play.
The match unravelled. Senegal scored five unanswered goals, and Iraq crashed out of the tournament with three defeats from three matches. For Sulaka, who had moved to Sweden as a ten-year-old and built a career across 14 clubs and 11 countries, his World Cup debut ended in the cruelest possible way—a red card after just 13 minutes.
Yet, in the immediate aftermath of the tournament, Sulaka made a decision that spoke to his character. He announced his retirement from international football after 11 years of service. “After 11 unforgettable years, the time has come to close one of the greatest chapters of my life,” he wrote on Instagram. “Representing Iraq has been the greatest honour of my career. I gave everything I had every time I wore the shirt, and I leave with pride, gratitude and love.”
Origins
Rebin Gharib Sulaka Adhamat was born on 12 April 1992 in Ankawa, Iraq. At the age of ten, his family moved to Sweden, settling in Eskilstuna. It was there that his football journey began in earnest.
He started playing football at Eskilstuna City FK, making his debut for the first team as a 15-year-old. His early career was spent in the lower divisions of Swedish football, developing his craft before embarking on a nomadic professional journey that would take him across the globe.
The Professional Forge
Early Career in Sweden (2010-2015):
Sulaka’s senior career began at Eskilstuna City, where he made 53 league appearances and scored 4 goals between 2010 and 2013. He then moved to Dalkurd FF in 2013, making 21 appearances, before joining Ljungskile SK in 2014 on a three-year contract. In 2015, he signed for Syrianska FC and had a loan spell at AFC United.
Elverum & Qatar (2016-2019):
Sulaka moved to Norwegian club Elverum in 2016, helping the club win promotion to the second tier. After extending his contract for the 2017 season, he left mid-season to join Qatari side Al-Markhiya, making his debut in a shock victory against giants Al-Sadd. Further spells in Qatar followed with Al-Khor and Al-Shahaniya.
Serbia, Bulgaria, and Thailand (2019-2023):
In August 2019, Sulaka signed for Serbian side Radnički Niš, making 13 league appearances. In 2020, he moved to Bulgarian club Arda Kardzhali, before a brief stint at Levski Sofia in early 2021.
That summer, Sulaka joined Thai giants Buriram United, where he enjoyed his most consistent club spell—making 51 league appearances over two seasons.
Return to Europe & Asia (2023-2025):
Sulaka returned to Sweden in 2023 with IF Brommapojkarna in Allsvenskan, making 4 appearances. In 2024, he moved to FC Seoul in South Korea’s K League 1, making 3 appearances. A brief spell at Swiss club FC Schaffhausen followed in the 2024-25 season, where he made 8 appearances and scored 1 goal.
Port FC (2025-Present):
On 1 July 2025, Sulaka signed for Thai League 1 side Port FC. In the 2025-26 season, he made 24 league appearances, playing 1,895 minutes, and received 4 yellow cards. His performances helped Port FC win the Thai League Cup.
International Career
Senior Debut & Rise (2015-2023):
Sulaka made his senior debut for Iraq in 2015. Over the next decade, he became a regular in the national team setup, earning more than 56 caps and scoring 1 international goal. He was selected for multiple major tournaments, including the Asian Cup and the Gulf Cup of Nations, and was widely considered one of the most experienced defenders in the Iraqi squad.
2026 World Cup Campaign:
On 2 June 2026, Sulaka was named in Iraq’s 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He was expected to bring his vast experience and physical presence to the Iraqi defence.
Sulaka made two appearances at the tournament. Against France on 22 June, he came on as a substitute and played 31 minutes in a 3-0 defeat, recording one shot and one interception. In Iraq’s final group match against Senegal on 26 June, he received his first-ever World Cup start. It lasted just 13 minutes—he was sent off for a professional foul on Sadio Mané, who was through on goal. Iraq lost 5-0 and finished bottom of Group I with three defeats.
International Retirement:
On 1 July 2026, immediately following Iraq’s World Cup exit, Sulaka announced his retirement from international football. In an emotional Instagram post, he wrote: “After 11 unforgettable years, the time has come to close one of the greatest chapters of my life. Representing Iraq has been the greatest honour of my career. I gave everything I had every time I wore the shirt, and I leave with pride, gratitude and love.”
International Record:
Sulaka earned more than 56 caps for Iraq. He scored 1 international goal and represented his country at the 2026 World Cup.
The Anatomy of His Game
Sulaka is a right-footed centre-back known for his physical presence, aerial ability, and defensive awareness. At 1.92 metres, he provides an imposing figure in the defensive third.
In Possession:
Sulaka is a reliable defender who contributes to build-up play. His experience across multiple leagues has given him the tactical awareness to play out from the back.
Out of Possession:
Sulaka’s defensive contributions are his primary asset. His excellent situational awareness and impressive aerial skills make him a formidable presence in the box. His reading of the game allows him to position himself effectively to cut out attacks.
Psychological Edge:
Sulaka’s career is defined by resilience and professionalism. He has played in 11 countries across 14 clubs, adapting to different leagues and footballing cultures throughout his career. His decision to announce his international retirement with dignity after the World Cup exit reflected his pride in representing Iraq.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: 2025/26 Season Snapshot (Port FC)
| Competition | Apps | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Yellow Cards | Red Cards | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thai League 1 | 24 | 1,895 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 6.8 |
TABLE B: 2026 World Cup Snapshot
| Date | Opponent | Result | Start | Minutes | Shots | Interceptions | Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 June | France | L 0-3 | N | 31 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 26 June | Senegal | L 0-5 | Y | 12 | 0 | 0 | Red Card |
| TOTAL | — | — | 1 start | 43 | 1 | 1 | 1 red |
TABLE C: Career (Selected Clubs)
| Club | Period | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eskilstuna City | 2010-2013 | 53 | 4 |
| Dalkurd FF | 2013 | 21 | 0 |
| Ljungskile SK | 2014 | 20 | 0 |
| Elverum | 2016-2017 | 35 | 1 |
| Buriram United | 2021-2023 | 71 | 1 |
| Port FC | 2025-Present | 24 | 0 |
| TOTAL (Career) | — | 218 | 9 |
TABLE D: International Record
| Competition | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Iraq Senior Career | 56+ | 1 |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 2 | 0 |
TABLE E: Career Achievements
| Honour | Details |
|---|---|
| Thai League Cup Winner | 2025-26 (Port FC) |
| FIFA World Cup Participant | 2026 (Iraq) |
| International Caps | 56+ |
| Iraqi International Career | 2015-2026 (11 years) |
What these figures reveal is a player who built a distinguished career through adaptability and resilience. His 218+ club appearances across 11 countries reflect a player who never shied away from new challenges. His 56 caps and World Cup selection demonstrate his importance to the Iraqi national team. His red card against Senegal, though a cruel end to his World Cup, was a moment of sacrifice for his country—a professional foul to prevent a certain goal.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Sulaka is defined by his journey from Iraq to Sweden and his nomadic professional career. He moved to Sweden as a ten-year-old and grew up in Eskilstuna. His family’s move was a significant moment in his life, shaping his identity and his footballing path.
His career has taken him to 11 countries, reflecting a willingness to adapt and a determination to keep playing at the highest level possible. His time at Buriram United in Thailand was his most consistent club spell, and he won the Thai League Cup with Port FC in the 2025-26 season.
His decision to retire from international football after the World Cup was an emotional one. “Representing Iraq has been the greatest honour of my career,” he wrote. His 11-year international career, which included 56 caps, a World Cup appearance, and the honour of captaining his country on occasion, will be remembered with pride by Iraqi fans.
The Verdict from the Camp
beIN SPORTS:
“Lancé seul vers le but, Sadio Mané est retenu par le maillot par Rebin Sulaka. En position de dernier défenseur, l’Irakien est logiquement expulsé.”
SVT Nyheter:
“Karriärens första VM-start. Då fick svensk-irakiern Rebin Sulaka syna det röda kortet redan efter 13 minuter.”
Bangkok Post:
“Sulaka, who featured at the 2026 World Cup before Iraq’s group stage exit, confirmed his decision in an emotional Instagram post.”
“På VM kommer den 34-årige mittbackens erfarenhet, fysiska styrka och defensiva färdigheter att vara avgörande för Irak.”
Where Next?
Rebin Sulaka is 34 years old and has announced his retirement from international football. He continues his club career with Port FC in Thai League 1, where he has established himself as a key defender. His contract with Port FC is ongoing, and he is expected to continue playing at club level.
For Iraq, Sulaka leaves behind a legacy of 11 years of service and more than 56 caps. His World Cup appearance, though marred by the red card, was the culmination of a career built on resilience and dedication. He will be remembered as one of Iraq’s most experienced defenders of his generation.
From Ankawa to Eskilstuna, from Sweden to Norway, from Qatar to Serbia, from Thailand to the World Cup, Rebin Sulaka’s journey is a story of resilience, adaptability, and proud service to his country. The boy who moved to Sweden as a refugee became a World Cup player for Iraq—and leaves the international stage with his head held high.
