Photographer Youssef Al-Hayani
'My ambition doesn’t stop at the Iraqi league'
Young sports photographer Youssef Al-Hayani channels passion to capture Iraq’s soccer scene
ANBAR — At 24, Youssef Al-Hayani has become a certified soccer photographer from Anbar, receiving official recognition from the Iraq’s soccer federation. Representing cities such as Hit, Ana, Rawa, Al-Qaim, Rutba and Haditha, Al-Hayani has transitioned from local passion to professional sports photography.
Al-Hayani began his journey in 2016 using a simple phone camera to document life in his hometown of Hit, Anbar. His initial focus was on capturing the city’s scenic beauty and its return to normalcy following liberation from Islamic State militants. However, his love for soccer steered his lens toward sports photography.
“I started my photography journey after the liberation [of Hit from ISIS], documenting the beautiful scenery of my city, Hit, and its return to life,” Al-Hayani told 964media.
He continued, “After that, my focus shifted to sports photography because of my love for soccer.”
Now nearing graduation from the College of Physical Education at Anbar University, he is determined to further develop his skills.
Al-Hayani’s dedication has earned him recognition. His work in Anbar’s soccer scene, supported by local fans, fellow photographers and the Anbar Soccer Federation, led to his certification by the Iraqi Soccer Federation. This achievement enabled him to cover matches in Iraq’s top league.
Despite his accomplishments, Al-Hayani works without pay, funding his travel to stadiums and matches across Iraq out of his own pocket.
“I don’t receive any financial support for my work as a sports photographer. I share my photos on my personal page, and they are sometimes picked up by sports networks,” he said.
His career highlights include photographing matches featuring top teams like Al-Zawraa and Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya. While he prioritizes documenting games in Anbar, he often travels to other governorates to capture major league events.
“My ambition doesn’t stop at the Iraqi league. My dream is to achieve global recognition,” Al-Hayani said.