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Detained by US customs 2 weeks ago, Aymen Hussein scores for Iraq in his World Cup debut
Hussein scored Iraq’s second World Cup goal in a 4-1 loss, and coach Graham Arnold said 11 of 26 players on the squad are immigrants.
- Iraq striker Aymen Hussein scored his country's second-ever World Cup goal on Tuesday at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., during a 4-1 loss to Norway, energizing Iraqi fans with a powerful header nine minutes after Norway's opening goal.
- Earlier this month, Hussein faced a seven-hour detention at Chicago's O'Hare Airport when U.S. customs officials held him and another team member, inspecting his mobile phone before granting entry to the tournament.
- Aymen Hussein overcame personal tragedy—his father was murdered by Al Qaeda militants when Hussein was just 12 years old—to become Iraq's most expensive footballer with a reported $1m contract at Al Karma.
- Coach Graham Arnold expressed pride despite the defeat, stating "I was very proud of the first 65-70 minutes," and focused on Hussein's effort rather than his late own-goal, signaling team resilience moving forward.
- Iraq will face France in Philadelphia on Monday, June 22, 2026, as the team seeks to build momentum after demonstrating resilience against Norway despite being heavy underdogs in their first World Cup in 40 years.
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38 Articles
38 Articles
Associated Press News+25 Reposted by 25 other sources
Detained by US customs 2 weeks ago, Aymen Hussein scores for Iraq in his World Cup debut
Iraq striker Aymen Hussein was delayed on the way to his first World Cup. He still made the best of his tournament debut.
·New York, United States
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‘Now we have to beat France’: Iraq fans heartbroken but defiant as team kick off World Cup campaign with loss
Prolific striker Aymen Hussein gives Lions of Mesopotamia hope in Boston, but Iraq lose 4-1 to Norway in first World Cup game in 40 years
·Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (the)
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From Al Qaeda killing his father to scoring at World Cup, meet Iraq's captain fantastic
FIFA World Cup 2026: Aymen Hussein scored Iraq's lone goal in a 4-1 World Cup defeat to Norway after a journey marked by war and personal loss. His equaliser, days after a seven-hour detention in Chicago, underlined why he stands as a national symbol of resilience in Iraq.
·India
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources38
Leaning Left17Leaning Right1Center15Last UpdatedBias Distribution52% Left
Bias Distribution
- 52% of the sources lean Left
52% Left
L 52%
C 45%
Factuality
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