Taking place at the Hawthorns on Sunday 23rd May - kick-off time to be confirmed - the match is one of three to take place in May as part of a Goodwill Tour for the Iraqi national team organised by London-based AKB Media to promote and develop Iraqi football.

The aim of Iraq’s 15-day trip is to provide their 22-man squad with first-class training opportunities as they step up their preparations for this summer’s Asian Cup in China.

Iraq was ravaged by war a year ago but the ongoing problems have not stopped their national team, coached by German, Bernd Stange, from competing on the world stage by playing fixtures in neutral countries. Iraq’s current FIFA ranking of 44 puts them above all of the home nations, except England, and 25 positions higher than their Hawthorns opponents from the Caribbean.

WBAFC also announced that they will donate their net revenue from the game to the ‘Footie 4 Iraq’ campaign, which is being run by CARE international, the largest aid agency currently working in Iraq.

“Some people will be surprised to hear that Iraq have continued to play international football during the past few months, but they have been very active,” said Albion secretary/director Dr John Evans. “Both FIFA and The Football Association were very keen for this game to go ahead in our country and we are delighted they have chosen us to stage it”.

With the UK being one of the main coalition forces to enter Iraq, the tour is also designed to strengthen goodwill between the two countries, underline Britain’s commitment to re-building Iraqi sport and raise much-needed funds for charities working in Iraq.

“The FA is pleased to be a partner in the Goodwill Tour”, explained Jane Bateman, The FA’s Head of International Relations. “We are lending our support to AKB Media to ensure that the tour is successful and worthwhile and meets all of its objectives”.

The tour will also feature games against Third Division Bristol Rovers on May 18, and a League Select XI at Macclesfield Town on May 27.

Iraq returned to international action last August – five months after the war began – with a 1-0 friendly victory against neighbouring Iran in Tehran. They currently top their Olympic qualifying group following a 2-1 win against neighbours Kuwait and kicked off their World Cup qualifying campaign with a 1-1 draw in Uzbekistan in February.