Aymen Hussein says he feels ready to face Senegal after an injury scare in Iraq’s 3-0 World Cup loss to France.
Aymen Hussein has given Iraq a timely lift ahead of its final World Cup group-stage match, saying he feels ready to face Senegal after leaving the 3-0 defeat to France with a muscle problem.
The Iraq striker was substituted in the 26th minute against France after feeling pain and showing signs of a muscle strain, with Ali Al-Hamadi coming on in his place. Initial checks indicated the change was made to prevent the injury from worsening, Varzesh3 reported.
The update is significant for an Iraq side trying to respond quickly after a difficult result against France, the 2018 World Cup champion and 2022 runner-up. Hussein is one of Iraq’s key attacking figures and had already scored against Austria in the team’s opening match of the 2026 tournament.
After the France match, Hussein said Iraq had not achieved the result it wanted but defended the team’s effort against one of international football’s strongest sides. He also praised Iraqi supporters who traveled to back the team and said the players hoped to make amends against Senegal.
“No one person is to blame for the defeat; we are all responsible,” Hussein said, according to the report. “We have to correct the mistakes, and now all our focus is on the match against Senegal and getting three points.”
On his injury, Hussein said the decision to remove him before halftime was precautionary. “At the moment I feel ready and I can play in the next match,” he said.
Hussein’s availability would be an important boost as Iraq turns toward Senegal in the third and final round of group matches. The report said he also has a chance in that game to become Iraq’s leading scorer in World Cup play.
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