Iraq ended a 40-year absence from the FIFA World Cup, claiming the 48th and last available place at the 2026 tournament with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Bolivia in the Intercontinental Playoff Final at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, Mexico, on March 31, 2026.
Match Summary: How Iraq Did It
Iraq wasted no time imposing themselves on the match. A curling free-kick from Amir Al Ammari struck the crossbar after a fingertip save from Bolivia goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra, and from the resulting corner, Ali Al-Hamadi, who plays for Luton Town in England’s League One, headed home in the 10th minute to put Iraq ahead.
Bolivia hit back before half-time. Ramiro Vaca’s delivery found Moises Paniagua, who turned and finished from close range to level the score at 1-1 in the 38th minute. Iraq coach Graham Arnold responded swiftly with double substitutions at the start of the second half, and in the 53rd minute, substitute Marko Farji delivered a pinpoint cross that Aymen Hussein converted to make it 2-1.
Bolivia threw everything forward in the closing stages, winning a string of corners in desperate pursuit of an equalizer, but Iraq’s disciplined defensive block held firm until the final whistle.
A 40-Year Wait Is Over
Iraq’s only previous World Cup appearance was at Mexico 1986, where they lost all three group-stage games against West Germany, Belgium, and Paraguay. Their road back to the world stage spanned a grueling 28-month qualifying campaign across 21 matches, including a dramatic two-legged victory over the UAE in the AFC fifth-round playoff, decided by a penalty in the 107th minute in Basra.
The result was met with euphoria across the country, as 46 million Iraqis celebrated a historic return to football’s biggest stage.
Iraq’s Group Stage Draw
Iraq have been placed in Group I for the FIFA World Cup 2026, which runs from June 11 to July 19. Their group opponents are:
- 🇫🇷 France — reigning European powerhouses
- 🇳🇴 Norway — Iraq’s first match is on June 16 at Foxborough
- 🇸🇳 Senegal — African Cup of Nations contenders
Despite the daunting draw, Iraq coach Graham Arnold struck an ambitious tone: “We have nothing to lose, let’s try to shock the world with a crazy result and performance.”
A Day of World Cup Drama
Iraq’s victory capped a dramatic final day of 2026 World Cup qualifying worldwide. Earlier, Bosnia and Herzegovina stunned four-time champions Italy on penalties in Zenica, eliminating the Azzurri from a third consecutive World Cup, with Esmir Bajraktarevic converting the decisive spot-kick. Sweden, Turkey, Czechia, and Congo also secured their places on the same day, completing the full 48-nation field for the first-ever World Cup co-hosted by three nations: the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
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