Ali Jasim: Al Najmah starlet seeking to shoot Iraq to FIFA World Cup

Unaizah, in central Saudi Arabia, will feel far from the glamorous and luxurious shores of Lake Como, in Italy’s north.

With its postcard views nestled in among the Italian Alps, Como is one of the most desirable locations in the world, home to some of the world’s rich and famous, and latterly, a football club of growing prominence.

Having traded Como for Al Najmah, however, Ali Jasim looks right at home in his new surroundings.

While it may be only temporary at the moment, with the Iraqi star currently on loan from Como 1907 in Serie A at the Roshn Saudi League new boys, so impressive has his start been they’ll presumably be trying to tie him down long-term.

But it’s a destination of another type that Jasim is desperate to reach: the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Iraq only just missed out on securing Asia’s final automatic berth at next year’s tournament, which went to Saudi Arabia on goals scored in last month’s Fourth Round play-offs in Jeddah.

It means the Lions of Mesopotamia need to go the long way, through the Fifth Round of Asian Qualifiers and, should they progress, then negotiate the inter-continental play-offs in March.

But, for now, the first part of that challenge forms the focus. Starting Thursday night in Abu Dhabi, Iraq must navigate past the UAE in a two-legged affair across the next week, with the return clash taking place in boisterous Basra on Tuesday.

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Central to Iraq’s hopes will be none other than Jasim himself, who will be hoping to transfer some of his domestic form onto the international stage.

Despite being aged 21, the Baghdad-born attacker has become one of his country’s most important figures after dominating their domestic league and impressing at youth international level for many years.

It was on the continent that Jasim’s talent was first on full display for fans in Saudi Arabia, with four goals in five games in the group stage of the 2023-24 AFC Champions League for Al Quwa Al Jawiya, including a goal against current RSL champions Al Ittihad in an upset 2-0 victory in Erbil.

Six months later, Jasim was at it again, scoring four times at the AFC Under-23 Asian Cup, including against Saudi Arabia, to finish as the tournament’s top goalscorer.

But it was at the Olympic Games in Paris that he announced himself on the world stage. There, Jasim struck the winning goal in Iraq’s memorable 2-1 triumph against Ukraine.

In fact, on the same day as his national team’s opening fixture, his move to Como 1907, who are coached by former Barcelona midfielder and Spain international Cesc Fabregas, was made official.

“We think Jasim can flourish with us at Como,” Fabregas told the club's website. “He has already made a big impression with the national team and in the AFC Champions League, and we're hoping he'll hit the ground running in Italy next season.”

Coming from one of the best midfielders of his generation, they were weighty words indeed. Ones, fortunately, that Jasim was only too keen to live up to.

“This is a significant milestone in my football career, and I am grateful to everyone who has supported and helped me reach this point,” he said of the announcement.

“I want to express my gratitude to coach Cesc Fabregas and the management for their trust in me, and I promise to work hard to achieve success with the club and make the Iraqi people proud.”

Therefore, that newly promoted Al Najmah were able to secure Jasim’s services for this season was quite the coup. Despite his club’s struggles - eight rounds in, they are rooted at the bottom of the table - Jasim has been one of the real positives.

Some of his play has backed up Fabregas’ faith in his ability: Jasim scored on RSL debut, at Al Qadsiah, before netting an incredible solo goal against Al Kholood last month.

If he can deliver the same for Iraq during the next week, the Lions of Mesopotamia will take a giant leap towards their first World Cup in almost four decades. For sure, that’ll be the only glamorous location occupying Jasim’s thoughts at present.