In the sweltering heat of Mexico 86, Ahmed Radhi and Basil Gorgis pulled on the same jerseys to represent Iraqs football team in its sole World Cup Finals. But now, a third of a century later, theyre just two of several former stars taking part in a very different contest -- as parliamentary candidates in next months election, said an Agence France Presse report on Tuesday. While the World Cup adventure ended in dismal failure, with Iraq crashing out after losing all three of its group games, the ex-players appeal could be a big draw for some Iraqi voters. "They already have fans," says Hussein Hassan, a 45-year-old Baghdad resident. "Its now the turn of these stars to put themselves at the service of the people." Distrust of politicians ahead of the May 12 vote is high, with the 15 years since the US-led toppling of former ruler Saddam Hussein marred by repeated periods of chaos and endemic corruption. "We have more confidence in them than the politicians, who have changed nothing," Hassan says. Its a view that Radhi, scorer of Iraqs only World Cup Finals goal, takes on board. "Iraqis need someone who shows that they are focusing on their interests, and who will work to guarantee a decent life," the National Alliance candidate says. The 54-year-old says his political group "brings together all communities and confessions." The National Alliance is led by Iraqs Vice President Ayad Allawi, a secular Shi’ite, and parliamentary speaker Salim al-Juburi, a Sunni, said AFP. Its a union that seeks to move beyond Iraqs Shi’ite-Sunni ethnic cleavage -- a major pull for the ex-footballer. The NAs list of candidates is liberal and "transcends confessionalism," he says. "This is what the people want now." Other candidates, sporting or otherwise, have more narrow motivations, added AFP. Radhis former teammate Gorgis is among a list of candidates fielded by "Abna al-Rafideyn," a group bringing together Chaldean Christians, Assyrians and Syriacs. Now administrator for the national team, Gorgis is running in the Kurdish city of Erbil and says he seeks to protect the interests of Christians. Standing up for the rights of his community is also what motivates Chaker Mohammad Sabbar, another former player on Iraqs national football team. Sabbar says loved ones cautioned against involvement in politics, telling him it would "achieve nothing, because no change is possible." But their advice hasnt stopped him running as a candidate in Ramadi, capital of Anbar province in central Iraq. Sabbar is number 10 on the list of the "Tamaddun" group, which advocates a secular state. Sunni dominated Ramadi was seized by the ISIS group in May 2015, before being retaken by government forces less than a year later. "The people have suffered enormously," says Sabbar, whose family live in the region. "Now, its time our interests are defended, like those of other Iraqis," he adds. Not all the former footballers running in the elections here are political novices, reported AFP. Radhi stood in the 2014 poll and lost, while another ex-international, Hassan Farhan, is a politics and military science graduate. "People now have more confidence in sportsmen than politicians, who have weakened the state," says 65-year-old Farhan, who appears on a list for the secular Civil Party. Others are determined to ensure new investment in facilities, to help the country compete again internationally in a whole range of disciplines. "We must think about building a better future for sport," says ex-international swimmer Sarmad Abdelilah, now a member of the National Olympic Committee and Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadis "Victory Alliance." "There are no athletes in parliament and so there are no laws or institutions to structure Iraqi sport," he laments. Other contenders include Taleb Faysal, the president of Iraqs weightlifting federation, who is on the list for former prime minister Nouri al-Malikis "Rule of Law Alliance." But some citizens here dont buy into the appeal of sporting veterans. "We have confidence in none of the candidates, because we know they will only think of themselves once in parliament," says Imane Kazem in the capital.