1. Early life and personal background
Ali Al-Hamadi was born on March 1, 2002, in Maysan, Iraq. In 2003, at the tender age of one, his family was compelled to leave Iraq due to the escalating Iraq War. They initially moved to Jordan with his mother before reuniting with his father in Great Britain, eventually settling in Toxteth, Liverpool. Al-Hamadi met his father for the first time when he was one year and four months old.
His father, Ibrahim, who was studying to become a lawyer, was a courageous participant in peaceful protests against the authoritarian dictatorship of Saddam Hussein. This activism led to his imprisonment. With assistance, his pregnant wife was released, and Ibrahim managed to make his way to the United Kingdom. The family's experience as refugees fleeing a war-torn country under an oppressive regime significantly influenced Al-Hamadi's formative years. He is a devout Muslim and observes Ramadan. Al-Hamadi stands 74 in (187 cm) tall.
2. Club career
Al-Hamadi's football journey began in his youth, leading him through several academies before his professional breakthrough. He developed his skills at various senior clubs, making significant contributions and earning individual accolades.
2.1. Youth career
In 2015, at the age of 13, Al-Hamadi was selected to play for Liverpool Schoolboys, where his talent quickly drew the attention of major clubs like Everton and Liverpool. However, he ultimately chose to join Tranmere Rovers' under-14 team. He spent three years with Tranmere, and in the summer of 2018, he was offered a professional contract. Instead, he opted for a two-year scholarship at Swansea City's academy.
On July 2, 2020, Al-Hamadi signed his first professional contract, a one-year deal with Swansea City. After failing to establish himself in the first team, he declined a new contract offer from Swansea in the summer of 2021. In September 2021, he had a trial with Derby County, scoring for their under-23 side in a 3-3 draw against Norwich City in the Premier League Cup.
2.2. Senior club career
Al-Hamadi embarked on his senior club career with Wycombe Wanderers before making significant impacts at AFC Wimbledon and Ipswich Town.
2.2.1. Wycombe Wanderers
On November 20, 2021, following a successful trial period, Al-Hamadi signed an eighteen-month contract with League One side Wycombe Wanderers. He made his first senior goal on August 24, 2022, in an EFL Cup match, a 3-1 defeat against Bristol City. Due to limited game time at Wycombe, Al-Hamadi expressed a desire to seek a transfer.
He also spent time on loan at National League side Bromley from March 11, 2022, until the end of the 2021-22 season. During his loan spell, Al-Hamadi made 11 appearances and scored three goals. He was part of the Bromley squad that won the FA Trophy in the 2021-22 season.
2.2.2. AFC Wimbledon
On January 12, 2023, Al-Hamadi completed a permanent transfer to League Two side AFC Wimbledon, signing a two-and-a-half-year deal. He scored his first goal for Wimbledon on February 18, 2023, in a 2-2 draw with Hartlepool United. His impressive performances led to him being awarded the EFL Young Player of the Month award in March 2023. On September 30, he achieved a hat-trick against his former youth club, Tranmere Rovers, contributing to a 4-1 victory. His overall contribution for Wimbledon included 13 goals and 6 assists in 23 League Two matches, and 3 goals and 1 assist in two FA Cup appearances. While at Wimbledon, Al-Hamadi was recognized twice with the PFA League Two Fans' Player of the Month award, receiving the honors in March and September 2023.
2.2.3. Ipswich Town
On January 29, 2024, Al-Hamadi signed an undisclosed fee transfer to then-Championship club Ipswich Town, securing a four-and-a-half-year contract. He made his Ipswich debut on February 3 in a 3-2 defeat to Preston North End. On February 14, he scored his first goal for the club, converting a penalty in stoppage time during a 4-0 away victory over Millwall. Al-Hamadi was a key member of the team that achieved promotion to the Premier League in the 2023-24 season, marking Ipswich's return to the top flight after a 22-year absence. On August 17, he made history by becoming the first Iraqi footballer to play in the Premier League, coming on as a substitute during Ipswich's first match of the 2024-25 season against Liverpool.
2.2.4. Stoke City (loan)
On January 24, 2025, Al-Hamadi joined Stoke City on loan for the remainder of the 2024-25 season. He made an immediate impact, scoring on his debut to help Stoke secure a 2-1 victory against Hull City.
3. International career
Al-Hamadi has represented Iraq at both youth and senior international levels, showcasing his talents on the global stage.
3.1. Youth national team
Al-Hamadi was eligible to play for both England and Iraq at the international level. He chose to represent his birth country, accepting a call-up to the Iraq U23 team in 2019. He made his debut and scored his first goal for the Iraq U23 team in October 2019. However, he was not included in the final squad for the 2020 AFC U-23 Championship due to an injury sustained during the training camp.
3.2. Senior national team
Al-Hamadi received his first call-up to the senior national team in November 2021. This opportunity arose as Iraq's primary striker, Mohanad Ali, was injured, and Alaa Abbas was still recovering. He was part of Iraq's squad for their 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against South Korea and Syria. Al-Hamadi made his senior international debut on November 11 in a 1-1 draw against Syria, starting the match. He earned his second cap on November 16, playing the full match in a 3-0 loss to South Korea. In December 2023, he was named in the 26-man squad for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup held in Qatar.
Al-Hamadi has scored three goals for the senior national team:
- On September 7, 2023, he scored the first goal in a 2-2 draw (Iraq won 5-4 on penalties) against India in the 2023 King's Cup at 700th Anniversary Stadium, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
- On October 17, 2023, he scored Iraq's second goal in a 2-2 draw (Iraq won 5-3 on penalties) against Jordan in the 2023 Jordan International Tournament at Amman International Stadium, Amman, Jordan.
- On November 16, 2023, he scored the fifth goal in a 5-1 victory against Indonesia during a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification match at Basra International Stadium, Basra, Iraq.
4. Career statistics
4.1. Club
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | EFL Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Wycombe Wanderers | 2021-22 | League One | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022-23 | League One | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 (Appearances in EFL Trophy) | 0 | 13 | 1 | |
| Total | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 13 | 1 | ||
| Bromley (loan) | 2021-22 | National League | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | - | 1 (Appearances in FA Trophy) | 0 | 11 | 3 | |
| AFC Wimbledon | 2022-23 | League Two | 19 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 10 |
| 2023-24 | League Two | 23 | 13 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 (Appearances in EFL Trophy) | 1 | 29 | 17 | |
| Total | 42 | 23 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 48 | 27 | ||
| Ipswich Town | 2023-24 | Championship | 14 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 14 | 4 | |
| 2024-25 | Premier League | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | - | 13 | 1 | ||
| Total | 25 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 5 | ||
| Stoke City (loan) | 2024-25 | Championship | 5 | 1 | - | - | - | 5 | 1 | |||
| Career total | 91 | 31 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 104 | 37 | ||
4.2. International
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iraq | 2021 | 2 | 0 |
| 2022 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 6 | 3 | |
| 2024 | 3 | 0 | |
| Total | 14 | 3 | |
Scores and results list Iraq's goal tally first.
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 7, 2023 | 700th Anniversary Stadium, Chiang Mai, Thailand | India | 1-1 | 2-2 (won 5-4 on penalties) | 2023 King's Cup |
| 2 | October 17, 2023 | Amman International Stadium, Amman, Jordan | Jordan | 2-1 | 2-2 (won 5-3 on penalties) | 2023 Jordan International Tournament |
| 3 | November 16, 2023 | Basra International Stadium, Basra, Iraq | Indonesia | 5-1 | 5-1 | 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification |
5. Honours
Bromley
- FA Trophy: 2021-22
Ipswich Town
- EFL Championship runner-up: 2023-24
Individual
- EFL Young Player of the Month: March 2023
- PFA League Two Fans' Player of the Month: March, September, November, December 2023