The Iraq national team marked the birth of defender Frans Botros's newborn child in a special way, surprising the player with flowers and a cake inside the team's camp, ahead of the "Lions of Mesopotamia" opening campaign in the 2026 World Cup.
Australian head coach Graham Arnold surprised his 32-year-old player during the team's gathering, with teammates joining in to celebrate the occasion with him just hours before their opening World Cup match against Norway.
The celebration came after Botros welcomed his newborn, even as he remains away from his family due to his commitment to representing Iraq at the World Cup.
Botros, who plays for Indonesian club Persatuan Sepak Bola, said: "I wished I could have been with them, but I don't regret being here with you for even one second... One day I will tell him about these moments."
Iraq are preparing to open their campaign in Group 9 of the 2026 World Cup when they face Norway at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, at 2:00 a.m. Wednesday UAE time.