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Hussain grew up in an Iraq where soccer offered a moment of unity in the midst of turmoil.
National team 2007 Asian Cup win Against the odds sparked celebrations across the country.
The Iraqi players were semi-professionals who were forced to prepare for the tournament in Jordan because of the security crisis at home that claimed thousands of lives every year.
Their shock semi-final win over South Korea was marred by a suicide bomb attack on celebrating fans in Baghdad that killed dozens.
Tarun Hussain also endured personal tragedy.
He was 12 years old, in 2008, when his father – a soldier in the Iraqi army – was shot dead by al-Qaeda while buying materials to build their house.
More tragedy occurred a few years later when his elder brother was abducted during the unrest and has not been seen since.
“I decided to quit playing football to take care of my family, but my mother refused,” Hussain said in an interview.
Instead, he urged Hussain to follow his dream – which saw him guide Iraq to its first World Cup since 1986.
Its path has been anything but smooth for the 30-year-old, though.
Hussain’s build-up to the World Cup was disrupted when he was detained and questioned for nearly seven hours at Chicago’s O’Hare airport after arriving in the US earlier this month.
He was eventually granted permission, unlike Talal Salah, the photographer for the Iraqi team.
When Hussain rose past Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland, it was a proud moment.
