Iraq’s national football team has clinched qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026, defeating Bolivia 2–1 in an inter-confederation playoff match held in Monterrey, Mexico. The victory earns Iraq the final berth in the expanded 48-team tournament.
Goals from Ali Al-Hamadi and Aymen Hussein propelled Iraq to victory, with Hussein’s second-half strike proving decisive after Bolivia had briefly equalized. Iraq held firm under pressure to maintain their lead and secure the historic win.
This qualification marks Iraq’s first World Cup appearance in 40 years, their last being at the 1986 tournament. The team will now compete in Group I alongside France, Norway, and Senegal in the finals scheduled across the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
Iraq’s head coach Graham Arnold praised his squad’s resilience and determination, noting the importance of the achievement for Iraqi football and its supporters.
The match caps a dramatic qualifying campaign that included logistical challenges for Iraq amid regional tensions, with the team overcoming travel disruptions and training setbacks en route to Mexico.
The 2026 World Cup will feature a record 48 teams, with Iraq becoming the ninth Asian nation to secure qualification.