Iraq defender Rebin Sulaka retires from international football after 11 years

BAGHDAD — Iraq defender Rebin Sulaka announced on Tuesday that he had retired from international football, ending an 11-year career with the national team days after a sending-off in the country’s World Cup exit.

In a message on Instagram, Sulaka said it was time to “close one of the greatest chapters” of his life, describing 11 years of memorable and difficult moments shared with teammates through “sweat, blood and tears.” He said he would hang up the national jersey but keep supporting the team from the stands, and thanked his teammates, coaches and Iraq’s fans, saying he had “given everything” every time he played.

Sulaka’s announcement followed criticism from some supporters after his straight red card in the 13th minute of Iraq’s final group match against Senegal, which Iraq lost 5-0. Some fans blamed him for the defeat.

Iraq went out of the World Cup without a point, bottom of Group I after three losses: 4-1 to Norway, 3-0 to France and 5-0 to Senegal. The team scored once and conceded 12, a goal difference of minus-11. It was Iraq’s first World Cup in 40 years, and only its second, after Mexico 1986.

Coach Graham Arnold, who took charge in May 2025 and led Iraq back to the finals for the first time since 1986 with a playoff win over Bolivia, is expected to stay on. Football Association President Younis Mahmoud said last week that Arnold was not leaving and that the federation was working to extend his contract, which expires in about six weeks, rather than seek a replacement.