Ahmad Ibrahim Khalaf

Club career Ahmed Ibrahim Khalaf Al-Qafaje was born in Al-Qayyarah in Nineveh Province, some 75 km south of the city of Mosul. Ahmed starred for his local team Al-Qayyarah SC playing in defence and sometimes in midfield and was paid a handsome fee to turn out for the side. He made his debut against Al Ahli in the first round of 2017–18 Saudi Professional League on August 11, he provided an assist in the 2–1 win.

International career

Senior Ahmed is an established international for Iraq having already played nearly 65 matches for the national team before his 25th birthday. He is on track to become one of Iraq's most capped players and is a very important figure for the national team, being the first choice centre back. On November 11, 2010, Ahmed made his debut against India. Iraq won that match 2–0. He was brought into the squad at the last minute by coach Wolfgang Sidka replacing the injured Hussein Abdul Wahid and remained with the side ever since. On March 28, 2015, on his 50th cap, Ahmed scored his first goal for his country heading in from a corner by Yaser Kasim in a friendly match against DR Congo in the UAE. On March 28, 2017, in a World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia, Ahmed produced a world class goal line clearance which kept Iraq in the game. The clearance gained a lot of attention online.

U23 Ahmed Ibrahim was part of the squad that went to Brazil in the summer of 2016 for the Rio Olympics and was one of Iraq's standout players as his defending helped hold a Brazil team featuring Neymar, Gabriel Jesus, Marquinhos and Gabriel Barbosa to a 0-0 draw. Iraq only conceded one goal in the Olympics and despite being knocked out after the group stages, went out undefeated.

Career statistics Scores and results list Iraq's goal tally first. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1. 28 March 2015 Al-Rashid Stadium, Dubai 1–0 2–1 Friendly 2. 5 October 2017 Basra Sports City, Basra 2–0 2–1 3. 24 December 2018 Grand Hamad Stadium, Doha 1–0 2–1 4. 15 October 2019 Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh 4–0 4–0 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification 5. 18 March 2022 Al-Madina Stadium, Baghdad 2–0 3–1 Friendly

Honors Erbil SC Iraqi Premier League: 2011–12 AFC Cup runner-up: 2012 Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya Iraqi Premier League: 2020–21 Iraq FA Cup: 2020–21

Iraq U-23 AFC U-22 Championship: 2013 Iraq Arab Nations Cup Bronze medallist: 2012 WAFF Championship runner-up: 2012 Arabian Gulf Cup runner-up: 2013 AFC Asian Cup fourth-place: 2015

Individual= Soccer Iraq Team of the Decade: 2010–2019