Iraq secured the final spot in the expanded 48-team World Cup field, defeating Bolivia 2-1 in an intercontinental playoff held in Mexico. This victory marks Iraq’s first qualification for the tournament in 40 years, since 1986.
Ali Al-Hamadi and Aymen Hussein scored the goals that propelled Iraq to victory. The qualifying process for this World Cup, the largest ever held by FIFA, spanned over two and a half years.
Iraq will join France, Norway, and Senegal in Group I for the tournament. The team’s preparations were impacted by ongoing conflict in the Middle East, making their achievement all the more significant.