Based on an analysis conducted by Miqrab AI of 440 Facebook posts trending on December 25, 2024, the dominant narrative on Facebook in Iraq revolves around the national football team’s performance, particularly its loss to Bahrain in the Gulf Cup, which sparked widespread disappointment and criticism of the coach and players. Alongside this, there was significant positive coverage of new government infrastructure projects in Baghdad, led by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani. Other key themes included Christmas celebrations across the country, calls for accountability following a viral video of an officer mistreating a child, and various social commentaries from popular influencers on topics ranging from television shows to the conduct of public figures.

Today’s Top 10 Facebook Trends in Iraq:

1. Iraq’s National Team Loses 2-0 to Bahrain in Gulf Cup

The most engaging story was the Iraqi national football team’s 2-0 defeat against Bahrain in the second round of the 26th Gulf Cup. Pages across Iraqi Facebook reported on the loss with a tone of disappointment and frustration. Al-Khawa Al-Nadhifa (Post Impact: 66%) announced the result, while commentator Haider Al-Hamdani (Post Impact: 57%) sharply criticized the team’s performance, stating, “This is your real level.. in coaching and in playing!” Many pages, including Mosul – MOSUL (Post Impact: 7%) and Iraqi News Center (Post Impact: 4%), shared the score and questioned who was responsible for the loss, reflecting widespread public dismay.

2. Coach Jesús Casas Faces Scrutiny After Defeat

Following the loss to Bahrain, Iraqi national team coach Jesús Casas became a focal point of criticism and discussion. The page Al-Khawa Al-Nadhifa (Post Impact: 100%) shared a statement from Casas where he said, “We will try to find the best players for the Saudi Arabia match.” This statement was also reported by Maher Mouhi::Voice of the Nation’s Protectors (Post Impact: 19%), which asked followers who should be dropped from the team. Iraq 24 (Post Impact: 31%) pointed to “clear confusion and lack of stability in the lineup” and poor player selections, suggesting that criticism of Casas from Iraqi media programs is justified. The page Baghdad (Post Impact: 8%) also directly asked its audience what word they would direct to the coach after the result.

3. PM Al-Sudani Inaugurates Rasheed Camp-Zaafaraniya Project

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani’s activities received positive coverage as he inaugurated a major infrastructure project in Baghdad. The Prime Minister’s official page, Engineer Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani (Post Impact: 40%), announced the opening of the Rasheed Camp-Zaafaraniya intersection tunnel and bridge, one of the projects aimed at easing traffic congestion. The post highlighted that this was the ninth project completed from the first phase. The page Iraq Projects (Post Impact: 25%) shared a video of the newly opened project, and the Media Office of the Iraqi Prime Minister (Post Impact: 4%) published a video of Al-Sudani’s speech, emphasizing the government’s commitment to continuing service projects to beautify the capital and other provinces.

4. Christmas Celebrations and Greetings Across Iraq

The atmosphere of Christmas was a notable topic, with pages sharing scenes of celebration and messages of goodwill. From Baghdad+ (Post Impact: 55%) posted a video showcasing the festive Christmas atmosphere in the capital. Influencer pages also joined in, with Steven Nabil (Post Impact: 13%) sharing photos of Iraqi celebrities celebrating the holiday. Several political figures issued greetings to the Christian community, including MP Dr. Haider Al-Salami (Post Impact: 9%) and former Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi (Post Impact: 4%), who both emphasized national unity and the importance of Christians as an integral part of Iraq’s history and society.

5. Probe Ordered into Officer Filmed Hitting Child Vendor

A viral video showing a security officer hitting a child selling flowers sparked outrage, prompting a swift official response. The page Iraqis Only – Iraqeen W Bas (Post Impact: 21%) reported that the Minister of Interior had ordered legal action and accountability for the officer involved. This was confirmed by Maher Mouhi::Voice of the Nation’s Protectors (Post Impact: 10%) and Support for Iraqi Security Forces (Post Impact: 5%), both of which stated that the Interior Minister, Al-Shammari, directed that legal measures be taken against the officer for his “inhumane” actions.

6. Iraqi Players React to Disappointing Loss to Bahrain

In the aftermath of the national team’s defeat, statements from key players were shared across several pages. Striker Aymen Hussein apologized to the public, a sentiment reported by Nafs Iraq (Post Impact: 6%), which quoted him saying, “We apologize to our fans and will compensate against Saudi Arabia.” The page Breaking News (Post Impact: 5%) provided more extensive quotes, including from player Amir Al-Ammari, who admitted, “Our level was not good in this match,” and deferred to the coach’s decisions regarding the lineup. These posts conveyed the players’ acknowledgment of the poor performance and their promise to improve in the next crucial game.

7. Critique of Society Through TV Show “My Family Wins”

A video by prominent media figure Qahtan Adnan generated high engagement by analyzing the popular TV game show “My Family Wins” as a reflection of Iraqi society. In his video on the Journalist Qahtan Adnan (Post Impact: 97%) page, he argued that the show exposes how people think and reveals societal attitudes. The post, titled “The ‘My Family Wins’ program exposes how people think,” was presented as part of his “With Different Opinions” segment, suggesting a deeper cultural critique beneath the surface of a simple entertainment program.

8. Humorous and Satirical Reactions to Football Loss

Beyond straightforward reporting and anger, the national team’s loss also prompted a wave of satirical and humorous commentary. The popular page Set Ashwaq Um Al-Qanounia (Post Impact: 46%) posted a widely shared joke, stating, “With this level of play, we should change the flag. Remove ‘Allahu Akbar’ and replace it with ‘Allah Karim’ (God is generous).” Baghdadi Eyes (Post Impact: 31%) humorously suggested a “Plan B” where the match would be replayed. These posts used comedy to express the collective frustration and manage the disappointment of the defeat, a common trend in Iraqi social media following national sporting events.

9. Bahraini Goalkeeper Praised After Withstanding Iraqi Pressure

The performance of Bahrain’s goalkeeper became a specific point of discussion, especially in contrast to online criticism he had faced prior to the match. The page Iraqis Only – Iraqeen W Bas (Post Impact: 27%) pointed out the irony that the goalkeeper prevented the Iraqi team from scoring any goals “despite the large bullying campaigns about his weight on Iraqi pages.” Another page, Set Ashwaq Um Al-Qanounia (Post Impact: 41%), shared a post directly from the official account of the Bahraini national team, amplifying the victorious sentiment from the opposing side and further highlighting the keeper’s successful performance against Iraq.

10. Influencers Spark Debate with Social Commentary Videos

Prominent social media personalities used their platforms to spark debate on various social and religious issues. Media figure Journalist Qahtan Adnan (Post Impact: 41%) shared a viral reel showing a religious cleric allegedly “stealing” a song by renowned artist Kadim Al Sahir, prompting discussions on originality and religious conduct. Separately, activist Haider Al-Hamdani (Post Impact: 37%) posted a video posing a critical question to his audience: “Who holds religious men and their charitable and humanitarian institutions in Iraq accountable?” These posts reflect a trend of influencers using their reach to initiate critical conversations on topics that are often considered sensitive.