Iraq loses 2-0 to Venezuela in final World Cup warm-up

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. — Iraq's national team fell 2-0 to Venezuela in its last friendly match before the 2026 World Cup, played at Seat Geek Stadium in Illinois early Saturday morning Iraq time. Christian Cáseres gave Venezuela a 1-0 lead in the 17th minute, and Jesús Ramírez doubled the advantage right after the break with a goal in the 46th minute. Iraq played the second half a man down after Ali Yusuf was shown a straight red card following a challenge with the Venezuelan goalkeeper. The result followed a Spanish training camp in which Iraq beat Andorra 1-0 and drew 1-1 with Spain. Iraq will face France, Senegal and Norway in Group E of the World Cup, while Venezuela failed to qualify through South American qualifying.