Based on an analysis of 512 X / Twitter posts trending on October 20, 2025, Miqrab AI identified several key narratives dominating online conversations in Iraq. The most prominent story, generating the highest engagement, centered on the display of sectarian religious chants by Iraqi football fans during a match against a Saudi club in Baghdad, sparking a polarized debate. Another major topic was the appointment of Mark Savaya, an Iraqi-American businessman, as the new US Special Envoy to Iraq, leading to widespread discussion about his background and the potential implications for US-Iraq relations. Other significant themes included criticism of the Iraqi government’s security measures at the football match, commentary on various political figures such as Qais Khazali, and discussions about the country’s natural resources and political future.

Today’s Top 10 X (Twitter) Trends in Iraq:

1. Sectarian Chants Dominate Iraqi-Saudi Football Match in Baghdad

The football match in Baghdad between Iraq’s Al-Shorta SC and Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad Club was dominated by religious chants from the Iraqi audience, becoming the top trending topic. Accounts like Ahmed Al-Thawaq (Post Impact: 100%) and Haidar (Post Impact: 80%) shared videos of the crowd chanting Shiite slogans such as “Ya Ali Madad” (O Ali, grant us support) and “Labbayka ya Hussein” (At your service, O Hussein). The posts highlighted these moments as powerful displays of faith, with some reporting it caused tension with the Saudi players. Conversely, other users condemned the use of religious slogans at a sporting event. Ghaith Altamimi (Post Impact: 27%) criticized the chants as having “nothing to do with sports” and noted that Al-Shorta ultimately lost the match. Sufian Al-Samarrai (Post Impact: 17%) framed the event as a religious confrontation where “God triumphed over polytheism and idolatry.”

2. Appointment of US Special Envoy Mark Savaya Sparks Widespread Debate

The appointment of Mark Savaya, an Iraqi-American businessman, as the US Special Envoy to Iraq by President Donald Trump triggered extensive discussion and analysis. Accounts such as Hisham Ali (Post Impact: 22%) and Raad Hashim (Post Impact: 9%) circulated his biography, noting he is a Christian Chaldean whose family left Iraq and that he operates a legal cannabis business in Michigan. This led some, like Adnan Al-Tai (Post Impact: 9%), to state that Trump sent a “hashish dealer” to Baghdad. The appointment drew mixed reactions; Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani (Post Impact: 15%) officially welcomed the decision, while former official Hoshyar Zebari (Post Impact: 9%) interpreted it as an admission that the situation in Iraq is “not normal.” Others, like Mustafa Aldulaimi (Post Impact: 13%), were skeptical, viewing Savaya’s mission as primarily commercial rather than political, aimed at securing deals and investments.

3. Iraqi Government Criticized for Security Measures at Football Match

Beyond the chants themselves, the Iraqi government’s handling of security and fan activities at the Al-Shorta vs. Al-Ittihad match drew significant criticism. Haidar (Post Impact: 18%) reported that Prime Minister Al-Sudani’s government had banned Al-Shorta fans from raising any tifo displays, despite prior approval from the Asian Football Confederation. The same account also posted videos claiming to show Ministry of Interior personnel being transported to the stadium in civilian clothes to impose “restrictions on the Iraqi fans” (Haidar (Post Impact: 24%)). This sentiment was reinforced by _. suhair Al_jumaili (Post Impact: 15%), who shared a video of the head of the Al-Shorta fan association, Haider Nader Al-Saadi, issuing a direct challenge to the Minister of Interior, stating, “Whether you like it or not, we will chant for Imam Hussein in the stadium.”

4. Concerns Voiced Over the State of Iraq’s Natural Resources

The condition and management of Iraq’s natural resources, particularly its water and oil, were a subject of concern. Zainab Rabee (Post Impact: 26%) posted a picture of the Tigris River accompanied by the caption, “The sight of the Tigris River is truly heartbreaking.” In a separate but related theme, عبــــاس العـــرداوي (Post Impact: 10%) voiced fears that the new US envoy was being sent to exploit Iraq’s oil wealth. The user cited President Trump’s comment that “Iraq is drowning in oil and doesn’t know how to invest it” as a pretext for the mission and called on Iraqis to stand against the “looting of Iraqi oil” and protect the country’s sovereignty.

5. Nostalgia for Pre-2003 Iraq and Sunni Political Aspirations

A narrative comparing Iraq’s past with its current state emerged alongside expressions of future political hopes for the Sunni community. Dr. Qusay Shafiq (Post Impact: 21%) reminisced about Baghdad in 1989, praising the infrastructure developed during the Saddam Hussein regime despite the Iran-Iraq War and questioning why corruption seemed nonexistent then. On another front, Mustafa Aldulaimi (Post Impact: 24%) posted a message of encouragement to Iraqi Sunnis, stating that the current period is a “Sunni setback and a test of principles” and promising that “Sunni leadership will return to its people” soon.

6. Politician Qais Khazali Faces Scrutiny and Mockery

Qais Khazali, the leader of the Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq militia, was the target of criticism and ridicule on the platform. Ghaith Altamimi (Post Impact: 15%) criticized Khazali for displaying Turkish and Iraqi flags during his meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, labeling the act as unprofessional and a violation of diplomatic protocol since Khazali does not hold a formal state position. In another post, Ali Farhan (Post Impact: 11%) sarcastically commented on a statement by Khazali in which he claimed Iraq was close to becoming a developed nation, quipping, “Hang in there, not much longer, we’ll reach the light at the end of the tunnel, just another twenty years and we’ll be there.”

7. Discussion Surrounds Iranian Official Ali Shamkhani After Leaked Video

The circulation of a video related to the wedding of the daughter of Ali Shamkhani, a senior Iranian political and military figure, prompted a debate about its origins and purpose. Najah Mohammed Ali (Post Impact: 14%) defended Shamkhani, sharing his defiant response to the controversy: “You scoundrels! I am still alive.” The user argued that the incident was part of a coordinated smear campaign involving various anti-Iran groups and intelligence agencies. This perspective was echoed by David Yassin (Post Impact: 10%), who analyzed the leak as a targeted act of “perception warfare” aimed at damaging Shamkhani’s reputation and influence, particularly concerning his role in Iran’s nuclear program.

8. Commentary on Kurdistan Region’s Development and Political Status

The status of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq was a topic of discussion, with users highlighting its development and political autonomy. Ghaith Altamimi (Post Impact: 13%) argued that the region’s administrative and security independence is the sole reason Kurds are treated as partners in Iraq’s governance. He urged all Iraqis to defend this “wonderful experiment” and encouraged other provinces like Basra and Nineveh to replicate it. Meanwhile, مُلا عبود اٰلڪرخيۧ (Post Impact: 7%) praised the opening of a new road in Kurdistan, suggesting that the federal government actively “fights Kurdistan economically” to prevent such successful infrastructure projects from being seen by the rest of Iraq.

9. Iraqi Government Cuts Funding for National Football Association

The Iraqi government’s decision to halt its financial support for the Iraqi Football Association was reported by several accounts. Haidar (Post Impact: 11%) and Yasser Eljuboori (Post Impact: 6%) both stated that the measure was taken in response to the national team’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Eljuboori commented on the news by calling it a “late step” and implying that the decision should have been made much earlier.

10. Disillusionment and Cynicism Towards the Political and Electoral Process

Users expressed deep skepticism and disillusionment with Iraq’s political system and the upcoming elections. Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 10%) criticized the vast sums of money spent on electoral campaigns, suggesting that politicians only invest to gain power and embezzle more public funds, describing the process as a “never-ending corruption machine.” Sharing this sentiment of distrust, Safaa Al-Asadi (Post Impact: 10%) posted a video explaining his reasons for boycotting the elections. Adding to the concerns, الصحفي سامر الساعدي (Post Impact: 7%) alleged that security forces were being improperly influenced for the special voting day, implying electoral manipulation.