Shafaq News-Babil
Football inAl-Qasim district, southern Babil province, is played the old way, on bareearth, between fields and orchards, by children, young men, and elders whoshare the same patch of ground and the same passion.
At the BuShama and Al-Nayef grounds, matches bring together multiple generations daily. Players told Shafaq News the dirt surface builds greater physical endurancethan artificial turf, while keeping them connected to the rural character oftheir communities.
“The groundshave kept young people occupied and strengthened social bonds across thedistrict,” a resident said.
The dream isalive here, too. Young players wearing the jerseys of their favorite starsspeak of one day representing Iraqi clubs and the national team —a dream thathas grown sharper since Iraq qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, its firstappearance in 40 years. The national team will compete in Group A alongsideFrance, Senegal, and Norway.
Babilprovince has long supplied Iraqi elite football with prominent players, severalof whom went on to represent the national team. Al-Qasim FC held a place in theIraqi Stars League for four consecutive seasons before being relegated to thePremier League in the 2025-2026 season due to a financial crisis.
The Bu Shamaand Al-Nayef grounds measure none of that in turf quality or stadium size. Theymeasure it in the laughter of children and the stubbornness of older men stillchasing the ball.
