Iraq will step ​up preparations for their ‌first World Cup appearance in 40 years with ​friendly matches against Andorra ​and former champions Spain, ⁠the Iraqi Football ​Association (IFA) said on Monday.

The national ​team will face Andorra on May 29 before facing ​Spain six days ​later in La Coruna ahead of ‌the ⁠World Cup which will be held across the United States, Canada ​and ​Mexico ⁠from June 11 to July 19.

Iraq, ​whose only previous ​World ⁠Cup appearance was at the 1986 tournament in ⁠Mexico, ​will face ​France, Senegal and Norway in Group ​I.

–Reuters–