#Monterrey (Mexico)
Iraq overcame major logistical issues to become the 48th and final team to secure a spot at the 2026 World Cup with a 2-1 win over Bolivia in an intercontinental playoff Tuesday, ending a wait of four decades to return to soccer's marquee global event.
Ali Almahadi opened the scoring in the 18th minute, Moises Paniagua tied it for Bolivia in the 38th and Aymen Hussein scored the clincher in the 53rd minute for Iraq. The Iraq team will join Group I along with France, Norway and Senegal.
"We have nothing to lose, let's try to shock the world with a crazy result and performance. It is great that we qualified," Iraq coach Graham Arnold said. "It is a privilege for us." Arnold, who guided Australia at the 2022 World Cup, said he didn't think his Iraqi players had faced the likes of France star Kylian Mbappe or Norway's Erling Haaland.
"It will be an honour. We respect those players and what they do, but we will try to win." Iraq will be back at the World Cup for the first time since Mexico 1986, kicking off June 16 against Norway at Foxborough, followed by games against France on June 22 at Philadelphia and Senegal at Toronto on June 26.
Bolivia missed out on qualifying for its second World Cup.
"What remains is pain and frustration; we feel devastated by the result," Bolivia coach Oscar Villegas said. "These young men lost with honor on the field and gave everything to achieve the result, but unfortunately, the country missed out on the World Cup." The match was played at the BBVA stadium in Monterrey, one of three host cities in Mexico for the World Cup. "I've got to give full credit to the players - their fighting spirit was unreal," Arnold said.
We will surprise the world, says Iraq coach
#Monterrey: Head coach Graham Arnold has exuded confidence in Iraq's football team, stating that his side will look to surprise the world after they qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a thrilling 2-1 win against Bolivia in the final match of the qualifiers played at the Monterrey Stadium on Wednesday. The qualification marks a significant milestone for Iraq, which will be making only their second appearance at the World Cup and their first since the 1986 FIFA World Cup. Reflecting on the draw, Arnold pointed to his previous experience against France during his time with Australia at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. "Before thinking about facing France, I must mention that I faced them previously with the Australian national team at the 2022 World Cup, and we lost 4-1, but we used that experience as motivation to beat Tunisia and Denmark and qualify for the round of 16," he said after the match.