Many Iraqis were forced to leave their homeland after the 2003 invasion of Iraq and had started their lives elsewhere.
A number of young Iraqi talents appeared in Europe, North America and Australia with their teams for the age groups, and after their distinction, the technical staff of their clubs decided to transfer them to the first team in the club.
They are now known inside Iraq as expatriate players or Iraqi professionals at times, and Iraqi football has many talents in the diaspora, especially those born in Europe, or of Iraqi origin, on the father's or mother's side.
These are the players that play in Iraq currently but started their careers elsewhere.
These are expatriate Iraqi players formerly selected and now retired.