2026-10-20: Barcelona’s First Season Defeat Against PSG
Based on a Miqrab AI analysis of 404 Facebook posts trending in Iraq on October 20, 2026, the online discourse was dominated by a mix of international sports, pressing domestic issues, and political developments. The most engaging topic was FC Barcelona’s first loss of the season, which sparked widespread commentary. This was followed by significant concern over the country’s economic situation, specifically the rising exchange rate of the US dollar and its impact on poverty. Other key narratives included the closure of a major border crossing with Iran, new government policies concerning military promotions and renewable energy, and emotional discussions surrounding the recent burial of victims of ISIS. Political news focused on the newly completed government cabinet taking an oath of honor, while a human-interest story about a journalist facing a massive fine from the Ministry of Education also gained traction.
Table Of Content
- 1. Barcelona’s First Season Defeat Against PSG
- 2. Fears of Rising Dollar Rate and Increased Poverty
- 3. Mourning for 47 Jabour Tribe Members Killed by ISIS
- 4. Ministry of Education Demands 1 Billion IQD from Journalist
- 5. Al-Shayb Border Crossing with Iran Closed
- 6. Interior Minister Eases Officer Promotion Rules
- 7. New Cabinet Takes “Oath of Honor” Before Prime Minister
- 8. Traffic Officer Praised for Rescuing Injured Child
- 9. Government Waives Customs Fees on Solar Panels
- 10. Calls for “Tishreen” Protests on October 25
Today’s Top 10 Facebook Trends in Iraq:
1. Barcelona’s First Season Defeat Against PSG
The most engaging topic on Iraqi Facebook was FC Barcelona’s first defeat of the season, losing 4-2 to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. The page Al-Khawa Al-Nadhifa (Post Impact: 100%) led the conversation with a straightforward report on the result. Other pages like Set Ashwaq Um Al-Qanuniyya (Post Impact: 57%) and Support of the Iraqi Security Forces (Post Impact: 9%) also shared the news, with commentary ranging from factual reporting to humorous mockery of the team’s performance. The loss was described as Barcelona “collapsing” or being “crushed” by pages such as Bab Al-Toob (Post Impact: 4%) and Mosul – MOSUL (Post Impact: 3%).
2. Fears of Rising Dollar Rate and Increased Poverty
Significant concern was expressed over Iraq’s economic situation, particularly the rising exchange rate of the US dollar and its effect on poverty levels. The page Set Ashwaq Um Al-Qanuniyya (Post Impact: 47%) voiced alarm, stating, “Folks, what football, what world, the dollar is going to reach 170 and they say the war will return.” Echoing these economic anxieties, Haji Waze (Post Impact: 28%) claimed that the dollar’s appreciation has pushed an additional 2 million people below the poverty line, bringing the total number of impoverished individuals to 9 million, and shared a map illustrating poverty rates across the provinces.
3. Mourning for 47 Jabour Tribe Members Killed by ISIS
A somber mood prevailed in posts mourning the burial of 47 members of the Jabour tribe who were victims of ISIS. The page Mohammed Nasser Khalif Mohammed Nasser Khalif (Post Impact: 45%) expressed general condolences for a tragedy in Mosul. More specifically, pages like Rusly Al-Maliki (Post Impact: 5%) and Baghdad (Post Impact: 3%) clarified that the Jabour tribe held a funeral for the remains of 47 of its sons who were abducted and killed by the terrorist organization in 2016 and were recently found in a mass grave south of Mosul. These pages offered prayers for the deceased and praised the tribe for its sacrifices in the fight against ISIS.
4. Ministry of Education Demands 1 Billion IQD from Journalist
A story about journalist Haider Al-Baseer gained traction after he was reportedly ordered by the Ministry of Education to pay one billion Iraqi dinars to evacuate a caravan he has lived in since 1997. According to Al-Khawa Al-Nadhifa (Post Impact: 38%), the caravan is located on the grounds of Ibn Rushd school in Baghdad, and the ministry is demanding 200 million dinars for each of the last five years. The page quoted Al-Baseer’s exasperated reaction: “If my caravan were in the Green Zone, I wouldn’t pay this much.” The page Yalla (Post Impact: 11%) added that Al-Baseer received ministry approval to live there and has appealed to the Prime Minister and the judiciary for intervention.
5. Al-Shayb Border Crossing with Iran Closed
Multiple pages reported the complete closure of the Al-Shayb border crossing with Iran, halting the movement of both goods and people until further notice. Al-Khawa Al-Nadhifa (Post Impact: 25%) was among the first to announce the closure. Other pages, such as Min Baghdad (Post Impact: 12%) and Hussein Imran (Post Impact: 3%), attributed the decision to Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi and noted that other border crossings with Iran are expected to be closed gradually. We are all Iraq and for Iraq (Post Impact: 2%) linked the move to a similar closure in September following drone attacks launched from Iraqi territory.
6. Interior Minister Eases Officer Promotion Rules
The Minister of the Interior, Yasser Al-Maliki, issued a directive to facilitate the promotion of high-ranking officers. As reported by pages like Iraqeen W Bas – Iraqis Only (Post Impact: 20%), officers from the rank of Lieutenant Colonel to Colonel and from Colonel to Brigadier General will now be promoted after completing their legally required time in rank, without the condition of occupying a specific senior position. The Media Office of the Minister of Interior (Post Impact: 18%) confirmed the news, stating the decision “does justice to the officers and guarantees their due rights” and thanking the Prime Minister for his support of the initiative.
7. New Cabinet Takes “Oath of Honor” Before Prime Minister
Following the completion of the new government, Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi had his cabinet take a formal “oath of honor.” This event was widely covered, with the Media Office of the Iraqi Prime Minister (Post Impact: 10%) sharing official footage. Other pages, including Iraq 24 (Post Impact: 3%) and Mohammed Al-Khaza’i (Post Impact: 2%), reported that the oath was a pledge to the Iraqi people to protect public funds and renounce partisan or sectarian loyalties. Nafs Iraq (Post Impact: 2%) noted the symbolic gesture of the Prime Minister entering the session holding a Quran.
8. Traffic Officer Praised for Rescuing Injured Child
A traffic officer in the Al-Sharqat district is being celebrated for his heroic actions after a video of him rescuing an injured child went viral. The official Iraqi Ministry of Interior (Post Impact: 14%) page shared a clip showing the officer carrying a child who had been in a traffic accident and running with him through traffic towards the hospital. The ministry’s post praised the officer, stating his actions embodied “the highest meanings of mercy, chivalry, and sacrifice.” The page Maher Muhi::Voice of the Homeland Protectors (Post Impact: 4%) also shared the video, calling for the officer to be honored for his bravery.
9. Government Waives Customs Fees on Solar Panels
The Iraqi Council of Ministers has approved a decision to waive customs fees on imported solar panel systems. The news was shared by the official Government of Iraq – الحكومة العراقية (Post Impact: 2%) page, which stated the move is intended to support the private sector and encourage citizens to adopt these systems. Other pages like Bab Al-Toob (Post Impact: 3%) and Support of the Iraqi Security Forces (Post Impact: 2%) also reported on the decision, framing it as a positive step towards renewable energy adoption in the country.
10. Calls for “Tishreen” Protests on October 25
The page of activist Ahmad Al-Washah (Post Impact: 46%) is circulating calls for protests on October 25, framing the date as a “rendezvous for the free.” The posts are a call to action for those who still “want a homeland” and list a series of demands, including a nation free of militias, corruption, and partisan interests, governed by the rule of law. A follow-up post on the same page, Ahmad Al-Washah (Post Impact: 15%), claims that the Tishreen protest movement is now stronger, more organized, and more aware than before.

