Iraq's players celebrate after winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers final playoff football match between Iraq and Bolivia at the BBVA Stadium in Guadalupe, Nuevo Leon state, Mexico, on March 31, 2026. (Photo by Julio Cesar AGUILAR / AFP)Iraq became the 48th and final team to qualify for the World Cup on Tuesday, defeating Bolivia 2-1 in an intercontinental playoff in Mexico to seal their first appearance at the finals in 40 years. Iraq, whose preparations for Tuesday’s playoff had been disrupted by the war in the Middle East, will play in World Cup Group I against France, Senegal and Norway. Goals from Ali Al-Hamadi and Aymen Hussein secured a famous win for Iraq, whose last appearance at the World Cup came at the 1986 finals in Mexico. The goal stunned Iraq and Bolivia looked likely to grab a second after dominating the remainder of the half.

Source: Punch April 01, 2026 05:43 UTC