Andorra National Football Team Kicks Off Friendly Series Against Iraq

Andorra's national football team opened its international window with a friendly against Iraq at Montilivi Stadium in Girona on Friday at 6pm, marking the first of three matches over 10 days to prepare for the Nations League in September.

Coach Koldo Álvarez de Eulate expressed satisfaction with the near two-week training period, similar to the September schedule. The squad held sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday before heading to Girona. Álvarez de Eulate highlighted Iraq's strengths as a World Cup participant that qualified by beating Bolivia. Under Australia's Graham Arnold, the Iraqis prepare for upcoming tests against Senegal and Norway's Erling Haaland, with key players including Venezia's Marko Farij, Luton Town's Ali Al-Hamadi, and Sarpsborg 08's Aimar Sher. "They compete very well, are tactically ordered, with strong one-on-one defending and plenty of attacking resources, whether through direct play or wide areas," the coach noted. "We need to stay alert."

The squad features senior debuts for under-21 goalkeeper Marc de Castro of AD Torrejón in Tercera RFEF and forward Gerard Solà of Osca B. New additions since the San Marino friendly include Biel Borra, Èric de Pablos, and Aron Rodrigo. Notable absences are Iker Álvarez, wrapping up Córdoba's season at Nuevo Arcángel against Osca, and Berto Rosas, facing San Sebastián de los Reyes in Logronyès' Primera RFEF promotion play-off return leg on Saturday. Dropped from the previous list are Mauro Rabelo, Adri da Cunha, Chus Rubio, and Cucu.

Álvarez de Eulate praised the youthful enthusiasm. "It's a call-up with lots of young players and eagerness to contribute toward the Nations League."

Andorra returns home next to face Liechtenstein on Thursday, June 4, at 7pm at the FAF's Nou Estadi in Encamp, defender Marc Vales' farewell match ahead of Marc Pujol's retirement. Vales, now at Gibraltar's Europa, called it a key benchmark. "These friendlies help them as World Cup qualifiers, but we must deliver a serious performance to get a good result." The block concludes Sunday, June 7, with an away game against Kosovo at 7pm in Pristina's Fadil Vokrri Stadium, where Vales said the three matches will build strength for the Nations League.