Iraq has secured the 48th and final place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, defeating Bolivia 2-1 in an intercontinental playoff held at the BBVA Stadium in Guadalupe, Mexico. This marks Iraq’s first appearance at the World Cup finals in 40 years, their last being in 1986.
Goals from Ali Al-Hamadi and Aymen Hussein gave Iraq a memorable victory, despite the team’s preparations being disrupted by ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Most of the squad endured a grueling three-day journey from Baghdad, including an overland crossing into Jordan, before arriving in Mexico.
Iraq took an early lead in the ninth minute when Al-Hamadi headed in a precise corner delivered by midfielder Amir Al-Ammari. Bolivia responded with an equalizer in the 38th minute, as Moises Paniagua set up Ramiro Vaca to score from the edge of the area.
The decisive goal came eight minutes into the second half, when substitute Marko Lawk-Farji’s cross found captain Aymen Hussein, who calmly finished into the bottom corner. Bolivia pressed hard in the closing stages, but Iraq’s disciplined defence held firm through nine minutes of stoppage time to secure qualification.
Iraq will now face France, Senegal, and Norway in Group I at the 2026 World Cup, under the guidance of Australian coach Graham Arnold, who had initially requested a postponement of the playoff due to the disruptions caused by regional conflict.
