The visit of the Iraqi team, organised by AKB Media, aimed to provide the Iraq team with first-class training opportunities as they stepped up their preparations for this summer’s Asian Cup in China.

They played two fixtures, the first of which took place at West Bromwich Albion FC against Trinidad & Tobago with the Caribbean visitors winning 2-0 in a tightly contested match.

They also met the England National Game XI at Macclesfield Town where Iraq successfully re-asserted their authority with a convincing 5-1 win.

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 43 puts them above all of the home nations, except England.

Proceeds from the games will be donated to the ‘Footie 4 Iraq’ campaign, which is being run by CARE international, the largest aid agency currently working in Iraq.

During their visit, the team also welcomed a donation from Mitre of 5,000 footballs which were despatched to their native Iraq courtesy of DHL and witnessed by the Minister for Sport, Richard Caborn.

"We were pleased to be able to welcome the Iraqi national team to England", said Head of international Relations, Jane Bateman, "If we can use football to bring people together, particularly in times of conflict, then that can only be positive.

"The Iraqi team and their supporters were excellent and created a lot of interest through their matches in the Midlands and North West when the game of football - and nothing else - was the focus of everyone's attention".