Iraq Qualifies for 2026 FIFA World Cup After 37 Years

Iraq has officially qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, achieving this milestone for the first time since 1986. The qualification was secured after a 2-1 victory over Bolivia in an intercontinental playoff match held in Mexico.

The match saw Iraq take an early lead with a goal from Ali Al Hamadi, who headed in from a corner just nine minutes into the game. Bolivia equalized before halftime through Mois Paniagua, who scored from Ramiro Vaca's shot inside the box.

The decisive moment came eight minutes into the second half when substitute Marko Lawk Farji delivered a cross that captain Aymen Hussein finished with a first-time strike into the bottom corner. Iraq's defense held firm through nine minutes of stoppage time, leading to emotional celebrations across Baghdad, where fireworks lit the sky and thousands gathered in the Karrada district.

This victory is reminiscent of Iraq's triumph in the AFC Asian Cup in 2007 during a challenging period of sectarian violence.