Iraq Olympic football team falls 1-0 to Russia in friendly

ANTALYA, Turkey — The Iraq Olympic football team lost 1-0 to Russia in a friendly match on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, as part of the team's training camp in Antalya. Russia secured the victory with a single goal scored in the 83rd minute. This match marked the second encounter between the two sides during their intensive overseas training period in Turkey. Observers noted a marked improvement in Iraq's defensive discipline compared to their previous meeting, in which they suffered a 5-1 defeat to Russia. The technical staff is utilizing these European-level fixtures to test tactical formations and increase player endurance. The team will continue its preparations ahead of upcoming official international tournaments.