A footballer whose family fled Iraq when he was a baby has said representing the nation of his birth at the World Cup was a "cool story" and poignant for his parents.
Ali Al Hamadi, now 24, was a baby when his mother and father escaped Saddam Hussein's regime in the early 2000s and came to Liverpool.
Toxteth-raised Hamadi represented Liverpool schoolboys before joining Tranmere Rovers.
The striker signed for Ipswich Town two years ago and spent last season on loan at Luton Town in League One.
Iraq will meet Norway in their opening Group I game later. The match kicks off at 23:00 BST in Boston.