In April 1951, Allawi started playing for the first Iraq national football team, He was called by coach Dhia Habib to play in the first international friendly in the history of Iraqi football.[1][4] On 6 May 1951, Allawi played his first international against Turkey B in Turkey, which ended 7–0 for Turkey B. Karim Allawi played in the inside left position and wore the No.10 jersey against the Turks.[1][4][5]