Nashville SC winger Ahmed Qasem is set to represent Iraq at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The 22-year-old has made a significant impact for the club, helping them win their first-ever trophy, the 2025 US Open Cup. Qasem joined Nashville SC ahead of the 2025 season from Swedish top-flight side IF Elfsborg, arriving on a U22 Initiative deal. He quickly became an important piece of Nashville's dynamic attack and helped them win their first-ever trophy, the 2025 US Open Cup. This past spring, Qasem also played a key role as Nashville advanced to the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals. Qasem is a former Swedish youth international who featured up to the U-21 level. But ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Qasem formally made the FIFA-authorized switch to represent the Lions of Mesopotamia. He made his international debut on May 29, starting and playing 65 minutes in a 1-0 win over Andorra. Iraq are in Group I alongside France, Senegal and Norway. Qasem's experience with Nashville SC has been a significant factor in his development as a player, and he is expected to make a strong impact for Iraq at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.