Iraq returns to the World Cup after 40 years, defeats Bolivia to qualify

Iraq qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 40 years after defeating Bolivia 1-2 in the inter-confederation play-offs.

Iraqi forward Aymen Hussein scored the decisive goal in the second half in the crucial match played at the Estadio BBVA. With this victory, Iraq became the last, or 48th, team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

Iraq played an aggressive game early in the match and Ali Al-Hamadi gave them the lead with a header in the 10th minute. However, Moises Paniagua scored a goal before the end of the first half to level the score.

Iraq once again took the lead in the 53rd minute of the second half and maintained it until the end of the match. Bolivia made a last-minute equalizer, but the Iraqi defense played a strong game to ensure victory.

Iraq has been placed in a group with France, Norway and Senegal in the group stage of the World Cup.

It should be remembered that Iraq had previously only participated in the World Cup in 1986, and now, four decades later, it is once again going to register its presence on the global stage.