The Iraqi National team, who have been staying at The Greenbrier in West Virginia, has still been able to embody pride among its fans despite losses at the World Cup. Read more: Iraqi National team embodying pride despite losses in the World Cup.
France and Norway handed Iraq losses in its first two Group I matches, a result many experts had predicted before the tournament began.
However, that hasn’t stopped them from being a source of pride for their fans and country.
“Living the dream”
Iraq opened World Cup play with a 4-1 defeat to Norway. They followed that up with a 3-0 loss to one of the tournament’s leading favorites to win, France.
Following the loss to France, Iraq fans stood up in admiration and saluted their team at the final whistle. Throughout the game, fans were also cheering for their team every chance they could get.
Halah Maykhan, an Iraqi American who lives in the United States, provided the thoughts that were swirling through every fan of the team.
“We are living the dream. My homeland, Iraq, makes it to the World Cup finals in America, where I live. The dream for me is double,” Maykhan told reporters.
Related: Unlikely national team finds home in West Virginia
She also expressed the feeling of immense pride that the Iraqi National team has brought to Iraqis.
“I am so happy and so excited. This is a matter of pride for the Iraqi people,” she expressed.
She and all the others roared their support in chants throughout the game against France, despite not being able to manage a goal in the match.
Mohammed Abduljabbar, another Iraqi American living in the United States, admitted a victory over France was unlikely but praised Iraq’s effort despite the loss.
“Their performance was good. Yes, there were mistakes, but there were also some beautiful plays. We are proud of them, and we thank them for bringing us to the World Cup,” Abduljabbar said.
Shades of West Virginia
I don’t think it’s too much of a stretch to say the pride Iraqi fans have for their national team mirrors the pride West Virginians have for WVU Athletics.
There have been plenty of years that WVU has not had nearly the best team on the field, court, or track. However, despite all the losses, Mountaineer fans have never hesitated to wear their gold and blue with pride.
Just like Iraq’s crushing defeats in this year’s World Cup, their fans never let their glimmer of pride dim amidst the anguishing losses. Like WVU fans, they refuse to let losses overshadow the pride they have in the team that represents them.
Iraq will have one more opportunity to give their fans something to be proud of in the World Cup when they take on Senegal on Friday, June 25 at 3:00 p.m. ET.
