71 days after its start, all 48 countries participating in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada were finally defined. After qualifying for Sweden, Turkey, the Czech Republic and Bosnia and Herzegovina in the UEFA playoffs and the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the intercontinental repechage, Iraq was the last to confirm its participation in the World Cup with its 2-1 win against Bolivia
.The decisive match would start fairly evenly. The first to warn was the Asian team with a free kick from Amir Al-Ammari in the 8th minute that Guillermo Viscarra brilliantly tackled.
Although the representatives of CONMEBOL were saved with just enough, the relief would not last long since, in the corner after the stoppage of the Bolivian goalkeeper executed by the Iraqi number 16 himself, Ali Al-Hamadi would score 1-0 for the Asians. Faced with the obligation to seek a tie, the Bolivians began to attack more and more, forcing the Mesopotamian Lions to retreat.That drive of Oscar Villejas's team would pay off only at 38.
Ramiro Vaca would attempt a shot from outside the box that would end up reaching the feet of Moises Paniagua, who controlled and signed the 1-1 partial. The second half would start with bad news for Iraq because of Youssef Amyn, who had to be replaced due to injury.However, it would quickly fade into the background, since, a few seconds after the change, Iraq would reach 2-1 thanks to the goal of Aymen
Hussein.With a long time left to play, Bolivia maintained the same offensive stance as in the first half in search of a new equality or a possible comeback. Although he had some chances, such as a shot on the baseline from Panigua or a poisonous shot from Nava in the end, in addition to several corner kicks in favor, it wasn't enough. Their lack of definition and the great Iraqi defensive task kept the score unchanged until the end, thus giving the Asians the ranking
.In this way, Iraq will be part of Group I along with France, Senegal and Norway. Like many teams that will be part of the 2026 World Cup, the Mesopotamian Lions will return to the tournament after several years of absences. The last, and only, participation in the World Cup was 40 years ago, in the edition of Mexico 86.
All the 2026 World Cup groups
Group A
Mexico
South Korea South
Korea
Czech Republic
Group B
Canada
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Qatar
Switzerland
Group C
Brazil
Morocco
Haiti
Scotland
Group D
United States
Paraguay
Australia
Turkey
Group E
Germany
Curaçao
Ivory Coast
Ecuador
Group F
Netherlands
