Ihab Al-Zuhairi has finally helped Iraq live their FIBA Asia Cup dream. After an eight-year absence, Iraq secured their spot in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025, with Al-Zuhairi playing a pivotal role. The 27-year-old forward averaged 16.5 points and 9.5 rebounds in two crucial qualifying games. His consistent performance proved vital to Iraq’s success.
This upcoming tournament in Jeddah will see Al-Zuhairi take on an even bigger role. Iraq returns to the Asia Cup for the fifth time overall, marking a significant milestone for the national team. Their last appearance was in 2017, when they finished 11th. Now, the team aims to improve that standing.
Qualifying for the Asia Cup also means Iraq enters the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers. This is a major achievement because Iraq has never played in the World Cup. Simply reaching the qualifiers highlights the program’s growth and persistence in the Asian basketball scene.
Al-Zuhairi expressed his excitement, saying, “Qualifying for the Asia Cup is a dream, but the real dream is to reach the World Cup.” He called this achievement “a step forward” for the team’s aspirations.
Iraq faces a tough Group D in the Asia Cup, competing against strong teams like New Zealand, the Philippines, and Chinese Taipei. New Zealand won the bronze medal in 2022, and the Philippines are five-time champions. Despite the challenge, Iraq is ready to fight for a better finish.
The team’s journey to this point was not easy. In the 2022 qualifiers, Iraq lost all six games in their group, missing the Asia Cup narrowly. However, they used that setback as motivation.
During the 2025 qualifiers, Iraq faced old rivals Bahrain and India again. While they lost to India, Iraq defeated Bahrain convincingly, 85-72. This victory was a form of redemption, especially since they had lost to Bahrain by just three points in 2022. Their win knocked Bahrain out and secured Iraq’s place as the 16th and final team to qualify.
Ihab Al-Zuhairi and the Lions of Mesopotamia now have a clear focus. They aim to fulfill their FIBA Asia Cup dream and keep pushing toward the World Cup. This team’s determination shows how important this moment is for Iraqi basketball.
In summary, Iraq’s return to the Asia Cup highlights their growth and resilience. With Al-Zuhairi leading the way, their FIBA Asia Cup dream is alive and stronger than ever. Fans can look forward to exciting games and a determined Iraqi team in Jeddah this August.
