PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Zaid Ismael Al-Dulaimi |
| Date of Birth | 3 January 2002 (Age: 24) |
| Place of Birth | Diyala, Iraq |
| Nationality | Iraqi |
| Height | 1.85 m / 6 ft 1 in |
| Weight | 73 kg / 161 lbs |
| Position | Central Midfielder |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | — |
| Current Club | Al-Talaba SC |
| Previous Clubs | — |
| International Caps | 8+ |
| International Goals | 0 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Market Value | — |
The Frozen Moment
Estadio Monumental, Santiago. June 22, 2026. Iraq and France, locked in a World Cup group-stage clash that pitted the Lions of Mesopotamia against the world’s top-ranked side. For Zaid Ismael, the 24-year-old midfielder from Diyala who had been called up to the national team just two years earlier, this was the culmination of a rapid rise to the global stage.
He started the match, playing 59 minutes against the French midfield of Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga. The result was brutal—a 3-0 defeat. Four days earlier, against Norway, Ismael had also started, playing 58 minutes in a 4-1 loss. Iraq finished bottom of Group I without a point, eliminated after defeats to Norway, France, and Senegal.
But for the boy from Diyala who had represented Iraq U23 before breaking into the senior side, the tournament was a personal triumph. He had started two of Iraq’s three World Cup matches, playing 117 minutes on football’s grandest stage. The boy from Diyala had arrived.
Origins
Zaid Ismael Al-Dulaimi was born on January 3, 2002, in Diyala, Iraq. His footballing journey began in his home country, where he developed through the Iraqi domestic system before joining Al-Talaba SC.
His international career began at youth level. He represented Iraq U23 during the 2023–2024 period. His senior international career began in 2025, and by the 2026 World Cup, he had earned over 8 caps for the Lions of Mesopotamia.
The Forge
Al-Talaba SC (2024–Present):
Ismael joined Al-Talaba SC in 2024, establishing himself as a central midfielder for the Baghdad-based club. He has been with the club throughout his senior career, developing into a key player in the Iraqi Stars League. At Al-Talaba, he has worn the number 6 shirt and played primarily as a central midfielder.
International Career:
Ismael’s international career has been marked by steady progression. He represented Iraq U23 in 2023–2024 before making his senior debut in 2025. He has since earned over 8 caps for Iraq, featuring in World Cup qualifiers, friendlies, and the 2025 Arab Cup.
His most notable performances came in the 2025 Arab Cup, where he played 90 minutes in matches against Jordan (8.1 FotMob rating), Sudan (7.7 rating), and Bahrain (7.2 rating). His performances in the competition helped raise his profile ahead of the World Cup.
On May 2026, Ismael was named in Iraq’s 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. At the tournament, he started Iraq’s opening two group matches against Norway (58 minutes) and France (59 minutes), making substitute appearances late in the tournament. He recorded 4 tackles, 1 interception, and 0 yellow cards across his 117 minutes of World Cup action.
The Anatomy of His Game
Zaid Ismael is a 24-year-old central midfielder defined by his work rate, tactical discipline, and defensive contributions. Standing at 1.85 meters, he is a physically imposing presence in midfield.
In Possession:
Ismael is a composed passer with reliable distribution. In the 2026 World Cup, he completed 63 successful passes with an 87.5% pass completion rate. His expected assists (xA) stood at 0.01, reflecting his primarily defensive role. His ability to retain possession and recycle the ball was notable despite limited opportunities. Across his international career, he has not scored a goal.
Out of Possession:
Defensively, Ismael is a disciplined presence. In the 2026 World Cup, he recorded 4 tackles, 1 interception, 9 recoveries, and 1 clearance. He won 9 duels with a 56.2% success rate and won 2 aerial duels. His discipline is notable—he received 0 yellow cards in his World Cup appearances, although he received 2 yellow cards across other international friendlies and qualifiers in 2026.
Psychological Edge:
Ismael’s mental resilience is demonstrated by his ability to perform on the biggest stage. Despite Iraq’s difficult group, he started two World Cup matches and remained composed throughout. Ahead of the tournament, he described Iraq’s group as a “group of death” but expressed determination to perform with honour: “The group of the Iraqi national team in the World Cup finals is one of the most difficult. It is the group of death due to the strength of the teams present. But that does not prevent Iraq from appearing in an honourable way and offering a level worthy of Iraqi football in the biggest competition.”
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2025/26 Season & World Cup)
| Competition | Apps | Starts | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| World Cup Qualifiers | 1 | 0 | 39 | 0 | 0 | 6.4 |
| Friendlies | 2 | 1 | 106 | 0 | 0 | — |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 2 | 2 | 117 | 0 | 0 | 6.4–6.6 |
| TOTAL | 5 | 3 | 262 | 0 | 0 | — |
TABLE B: Career (Club)
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–2026 | Al-Talaba SC | Iraq Stars League | — | — |
TABLE C: International Record (2025–2026)
| Tournament/Competition | Apps | Starts | Minutes | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friendlies | 2 | 1 | 106 | 0 |
| World Cup Qualifiers | 1 | 0 | 39 | 0 |
| Arab Cup 2025 | 3 | 3 | 270 | 0 |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 2 | 2 | 117 | 0 |
| TOTAL | 8+ | 6+ | 532+ | 0 |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Born | Diyala, Iraq |
| 2023–2024 | Iraq U23 | Represented Iraq U23 |
| 2024 | Al-Talaba Move | Joined Iraqi club |
| 2025 | Iraq Senior Debut | First senior caps |
| 2025 | Arab Cup | Started 3 matches, 7.2–8.1 ratings |
| 2026 | World Cup Qualifiers | Inter-confederation play-offs |
| 2026 | World Cup Selection | Named in Iraq’s 26-man squad |
| 2026 | World Cup Starts | vs Norway (58′), France (59′) |
What these figures reveal is a player of steady progression whose international career is still in its early stages. Ismael has earned over 8 caps by age 24, featuring in World Cup qualifiers, the Arab Cup, and the 2026 World Cup. His 3 starts in the Arab Cup demonstrated his value at international level, and his 2 World Cup starts represent a significant achievement for a player who debuted for Iraq just two years earlier. His defensive statistics at the World Cup—4 tackles, 9 recoveries—show a disciplined midfielder capable of competing at the highest level.
The Present Tense
Zaid Ismael is 24 years old, entering the prime of his career. He is Al-Talaba’s central midfielder, an Iraqi international with 8+ caps, and a 2026 World Cup participant.
The Al-Talaba Story:
Ismael joined Al-Talaba in 2024 and has been a regular in the Iraqi Stars League. He is a central midfielder for the Baghdad-based club.
The World Cup Campaign:
Ismael was named in Iraq’s 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He started two of Iraq’s group matches—against Norway on June 16 (58 minutes) and France on June 22 (59 minutes). He was an unused substitute against Senegal. Iraq finished bottom of Group I, eliminated without a point.
International Record:
Ismael has earned over 8 caps for Iraq since his debut in 2025. He has represented Iraq in World Cup qualifiers, the Arab Cup (2025), and the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He has not scored an international goal.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Zaid Ismael is defined by his rapid rise from the Iraqi domestic league to the World Cup. Born in Diyala, he grew up in Iraq and has remained with Al-Talaba throughout his senior career.
His international career has been one of rapid progression. From his debut in 2025 to starting two World Cup matches in 2026, he has established himself as a key player for Iraq’s midfield. His performances in the Arab Cup—starting all three matches and earning ratings between 7.2 and 8.1—demonstrated his ability to perform at international level.
Ahead of the World Cup, Ismael acknowledged the difficulty of Iraq’s group but expressed determination to represent his nation with honour. “The group of the Iraqi national team in the World Cup finals is one of the most difficult. It is the group of death due to the strength of the teams present. But that does not prevent Iraq from appearing in an honourable way and offering a level worthy of Iraqi football in the biggest competition,” he said. “The players are aware of the responsibility and want to offer good performances to make the supporters happy who have waited a long time for this moment.”
The Verdict from the Camp
L'Équipe
, on Ismael’s World Cup participation:
Zaid Ismaeel, né le 3 janvier 2002 à Diyala (Iraq), est un footballeur irakien évoluant au poste de milieu. Ismaeel compte 8 sélections en équipe nationale d’Iraq, et a participé 1 fois à la Coupe du monde (États-Unis, Canada, Mexique 2026).
FBref.com
, on Ismael’s World Cup match log:
Ismael started both of Iraq’s World Cup matches against Norway (58 minutes) and France (59 minutes), recording 4 tackles, 1 interception, 0 yellow cards, and 0 goals across 117 minutes of playing time.
wiwsport
, on Ismael’s pre-tournament interview:
The group of the Iraqi national team in the World Cup finals is one of the most difficult. It is the group of death due to the strength of the teams present. But that does not prevent Iraq from appearing in an honourable way and offering a level worthy of Iraqi football in the biggest competition.
FotMob
, on Ismael’s Arab Cup performances:
Ismael played 90 minutes in the Arab Cup against Jordan (8.1 rating), Sudan (7.7 rating), and Bahrain (7.2 rating), demonstrating his value to the Iraq national team.
Where Next?
Zaid Ismael is 24 years old and entering the prime of his career. He is established at Al-Talaba, an Iraqi international, and a World Cup participant.
For Iraq
, Ismael is part of the national team’s future. At 24, he has already started two World Cup matches and earned over 8 caps. He will be expected to continue contributing to the Lions of Mesopotamia in future tournaments, including the 2027 AFC Asian Cup and the 2030 World Cup qualification campaign. His experience at the World Cup, even in defeats, will be invaluable.
For Al-Talaba
, Ismael is a key player. His performances at the World Cup and in the Arab Cup have raised his profile. A move to a club outside Iraq could be on the cards, as Ismael has expressed that the World Cup is “an important opportunity for Iraqi players to be seen and open doors abroad.”
His career trajectory is one of steady progression—from Iraq U23 to the senior team, from the Arab Cup to the World Cup, from a debut in 2025 to a World Cup starter in 2026. He has overcome the challenges of playing in Iraq’s domestic league and established himself as one of the country’s most promising young midfielders.
The boy from Diyala who rose through Iraq’s domestic ranks, who represented his country at the U23 level and the Arab Cup, who started two World Cup matches—Zaid Ismael’s journey is a story of development, determination, and the pursuit of a dream on football’s greatest stage.
