Venezuela defeat Iraq 2–0 at SeatGeek Stadium in international friendly ahead of 2026 World Cup preparations

Venezuela claim a 2–0 win over Iraq at SeatGeek Stadium, with goals from Cristian Cásseres in the first half and Jesús Ramírez just after the break. You lived every moment of this international friendly here on Bolavip.

The match comes to an end. La Vinotinto deliver a solid, composed performance and defeat Iraq 2–0 in this international friendly.

Hussein Ali gets close to pulling one back for Iraq at minute 89 after a quick counterattack.

Yangel Herrera is shown a yellow card at minute 88 after a tough challenge in midfield

Adrián Cova replaces Jon Aramburu at minute 85. Fresh legs on the right flank as La Vinotinto look to close out the match with composure and maintain their two‑goal lead.

Edson Tortolero tests Iraq’s defense at minute 82 with a long‑range effort, but his shot lacks power and goes straight to the goalkeeper. Venezuela keep pressing, looking to close the match with a third goal.

Cristian Cásseres is booked at minute 79 after a late challenge in midfield. The referee shows the yellow card, and Venezuela remain in control despite the caution.

La Vinotinto refresh their lineup midway through the second half:

• Kevin Kelsy replaces Jesús Ramírez at 76'.

• Jorge Yriarte comes on for Daniel Pereira at 76'.

• David Martínez enters for Ender Echenique at 77'.

Ali Yousif Hashim is sent off after a reckless challenge on goalkeeper José Contreras. The Iraqi midfielder steps on him intentionally, earning a straight red card at minute 72. Iraq are now down to ten men as Venezuela keep control of the match.

Luis Balbo surges into the attacking zone at minute 69 and gets a clean look at goal, but his shot drifts wide past the end line. Another dangerous approach from Venezuela, who continue to threaten the 0–3.

Gleiker Mendoza finds space inside the box and strikes with power at minute 68, but the Iraqi goalkeeper reacts superbly to block what looked like a clear 0–3. Venezuela stay on top and generating danger.

Cristian Cásseres commits a foul at minute 66 while trying to stop Iraq’s advance, and the referee awards a dangerous free‑kick to the home side. A key moment as Iraq look for a way back into the match.

Jesús Ramírez comes close to scoring again after a precise pass from Echenique. The forward controls well and fires, but the ball goes just wide at minute 65. Venezuela remain in command of the match.

Yangel Herrera comes on for Telasco Segovia at minute 64. Fresh legs in midfield as La Vinotinto look to maintain control of the match, still leading 0–2.

Venezuela continue to move the ball around with patience and control at minute 60, slowing the tempo and frustrating Iraq’s attempts to press.

Jesús Ramírez brings it down brilliantly inside the box and fires, but his shot goes just wide at minute 57. Venezuela stay in control as they protect the 0–2 lead.

Joel Graterol reacts sharply to push it away. Another solid stop to keep Venezuela comfortably ahead 0–2.

Gleiker Mendoza is booked at minute 53 after committing a foul to stop Iraq’s counterattack. Venezuela stay compact, but Iraq continue to press forward looking for a way back into the match.

Iraq threaten again as Ahmed Kasim takes the shot at minute 52, but his effort rolls just wide of the far post. The hosts keep pushing as they look to cut into Venezuela’s 0–2 lead

Iraq make early changes to shake things up:

• Ali Yousif Hashim replaces Aymen Hussein at 46'.

• Zidane Iqbal comes on for Kevin Yakob at 49'.

• Marko Farji replaces Ibrahim Bayesh at 49'.

Jesús Ramírez strikes just seconds into the second half, extending Venezuela’s lead to 0–2 with a calm, clinical finish inside the box. A perfect start to the final 45 for La Vinotinto.

The second half kicks off with Venezuela holding their narrow lead as Iraq look to push higher and change the momentum.

At the break, Iraq show slight control with 51% possession and 7 total shots, compared to Venezuela’s 49% possession and 4 shots. Both sides have 1 shot on target, but Cristian Cásseres’ early strike remains the difference.

The first half comes to an end in Chicago: Venezuela go into the break ahead 0–1, thanks to Cristian Cáseres’ sharp finish in the 17th minute. Iraq grew into the match, controlled long stretches of possession, and pushed hard late, but La Vinotinto held firm.

The referee signals three minutes of stoppage time to be played at the end of the first half. Iraq keep pressing for an equalizer, while Venezuela look to hold firm and take their lead into the break.

Ahmed Qasem goes into the referee’s book after a late challenge near midfield. Iraq’s midfielder protests the decision, but the caution stands as Venezuela prepare to restart play.

Iraq jump on a Venezuela turnover, breaking quickly and generating a promising attacking move, but the final effort is collected comfortably by Rafael Contreras, who reads the play well and avoids any real trouble for La Vinotinto.

J. Aramburu brings down his marker on the left side of midfield, and the referee immediately awards a free kick to Iraq.

Jacob Montes delivers the ball into the box, but the shot lacks power and direction, allowing the Venezuelan goalkeeper to collect it comfortably without any trouble.

Iraq continue to control possession, moving the ball with patience as they try to break down Venezuela’s block. La Vinotinto stay compact, waiting for a chance to counter while protecting their 0–1 lead.

The referee signals the end of the pause and the match is back underway. Venezuela restart with confidence after taking the lead, while Iraq look to regain momentum as the action picks up again.

The referee calls for a cooling break as both teams pause to hydrate after an intense stretch of play.

Iraq throw numbers into attack as they try to level the match, moving the ball quickly through the wings and forcing Venezuela to retreat.

Cristian Cásseres breaks into the box, splits the defensive line, and finishes with a sharp, clinical strike to put Venezuela ahead 0–1 in Chicago. La Vinotinto take the lead with a brilliant individual action from their midfielder.

An Iraqi player is on the ground receiving treatment after a tough challenge in the box that ended with the ball being deflected out for a Venezuela corner.

The referee shows a yellow card to Daniel Pereira after a tough challenge in midfield.

Cristian Cásseres delivers the corner kick for La Vinotinto, but the ball is over‑hit and drifts toward the far post. Even so, the Iraqi back line reacts well and clears the ball to end the attacking threat.

Gleiker Mendoza tries to whip in a dangerous ball from the right, but the cross carries too long and runs out over the end line. Another infructuous attacking sequence for Venezuela, who are pushing but still looking for precision in the final third.

Manaf Younis reads the play perfectly and steps in to break up a promising Venezuelan move down the middle.

Jon Aramburu brings down his marker in midfield to halt Iraq’s counterattack after a quick transition.

Jesus  Ramírez commits a foul in midfield as he tries to stop Iraq’s transition, and the referee immediately signals the infringement.

Venezuela take the initiative early as Jesus Ramírez unleashes a powerful shot from outside the box, but it goes wide past the end line.

The international friendly between Iraq and Venezuela is underway at SeatGeek Stadium, marking Iraq’s final test before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Both teams are lined up for the pre‑match protocol at SeatGeek Stadium. The atmosphere is building as Iraq and Venezuela prepare for kickoff.

Players from both sides are out on the pitch at SeatGeek Stadium, going through their warm‑up routines as we get closer to kickoff.

Today’s action takes place at SeatGeek Stadium, located in Bridgeview, Illinois, part of the Chicago metropolitan area. The venue has a capacity of approximately 20,000 spectators and provides a lively setting as both teams fine‑tune tactics ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Venezuela’s starting XI: J. Contreras; N. Ferraresi, J. Aramburu, T. Quintero; G. Mendoza, C. Cásseres, J. Ramírez, T. Segovia; L. Balbo, D. Pereira, E. Echenique.

Iraq’s starting XI: Jalal Hassan; Rebin Sulaka, Hussein Ali, Manaf  Younis; Ahmed Maknzi, Aimar Sher, Kevin Yakob, Ahmed Qasim; Ibrahim Bayesh, Aymen Hussein, Ali Al Hamadi.

The national teams of Venezuela and Iraq had never faced each other at any point in their history before today’s international friendly on June 9, 2026, at SeatGeek Stadium in Chicago.

The match between Iraq and Venezuela is scheduled to start at 9:00 PM ET on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois.

For South America, kickoff is at 10:00 PM (Argentina, Uruguay) / 9:00 PM (Chile) / 8:00 PM (Colombia, Peru, Ecuador).

In the United States, the game will be available live on DAZN, with additional streaming options depending on your region.

Welcome to our live blog! This time, Iraq face Venezuela at SeatGeek Stadium in an international friendly as both teams continue their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. For Iraq, this match serves as their final test before the tournament, while Venezuela use it to maintain competitive rhythm and evaluate additional options within the squad. Stay with us for all the action and minute‑by‑minute updates from SeatGeek Stadium.