A 40-Year Drought Ends! Iraq Qualify For The 2026 FIFA World Cup

Last Updated:April 01, 2026, 5:11 PM IST

Iraq beat Bolivia 2-1 to finally end a 40-year long wait to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Iraq’s players celebrate after the World Cup playoff final win (AP)

While much of the footballing world was still processing Italy’s shock failure to qualify for a third consecutive FIFA World Cup, another story was quietly unfolding elsewhere — in Monterrey.

Iraq scripted history as the “Lions of Mesopotamia” sealed their first World Cup appearance since 1986 with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Bolivia in a playoff decider — bringing an end to a 40-year absence from football’s biggest stage.

Football Amid Conflict

The build-up to the match had been overshadowed by escalating tensions in the Middle East, following US and Israeli strikes on Iran that drew Iraq into the conflict.

More than 100 people have reportedly been killed in Iraq since the violence began.

And yet, football offered a rare moment of unity amid uncertainty.

Leaders and Coaches React

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani hailed the achievement as a landmark moment.

“The qualification of our national team for the World Cup marks an important turning point in the history of Iraqi sports and reinforces our country’s standing on this global stage,” he said, adding that it fulfilled the “dream of our fans.”

Head coach Graham Arnold echoed the sentiment, underlining the emotional weight of the result.

“I am so happy that we’ve made 46 million people happy, especially with what’s going on in the Middle East at the moment,” said Arnold, who previously guided Australia to the Round of 16 at the last World Cup.

What Lies Ahead

Iraq have been drawn into Group I, where they will face formidable opposition in France, Senegal, and Norway.

The tournament — co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada — will run from June 11 to July 19.

(with AFP inputs)

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