Best Odds Center
best odds centre button
Click here!
Sport TV
watch live tv button
Click here!
to watch
Live FootBall
NPFL
Click here!
Live Scores
play watch Live Score button
Click here!

Lions of Mesopotamia End 40-Year Wait as Iraq Secures Historic Spot at 2026 FIFA World Cup

Posted : 31 May 2026

The Iraqi national football team has secured a historic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The Lions of Mesopotamia ended a grueling 40-year absence from the global tournament by defeating Bolivia 2-1 in the inter-confederation playoff final. The tense, high-stakes match took place at the Monterrey Stadium in Mexico on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

The dramatic qualifying victory was delivered through crucial goals from forwards Ali Al-Hamadi and Aymen Hussein. Hussein scored the decisive winning goal in the 53rd minute of the second half. The achievement sparked immense national celebrations across Iraq, serving as a powerful source of unity for the country's 46 million citizens.

The successful campaign caps an extraordinary 21-match journey that spanned multiple countries across Asia and Central America. Iraq initially cruised through the second round of qualifiers before experiencing a dip in form during the third round. The sudden coaching departure of Jesus Casas threatened to derail their ambitions. However, newly appointed Australian head coach Graham Arnold successfully revived their qualification hopes in the latter stages.

The 62-year-old manager previously guided Australia to the round of 16 at the Qatar 2022 World Cup. Arnold has now joined a very select group of tacticians to lead two different nations from the Asian Football Confederation at the global finals. Iraq has been placed in a highly competitive Group I for the tournament. They will face Norway in Boston on June 16, France in Philadelphia on June 22, and Senegal in Toronto on June 26.

The 2026 edition marks only the second time Iraq has reached the FIFA World Cup stage. Their only previous appearance came at the 1986 tournament in Mexico, where they suffered three narrow group-stage defeats. The late Ahmed Radhi scored Iraq's solitary World Cup goal during a 2-1 loss against Belgium in Toluca. This modern generation of Iraqi talent will now look to improve on that historical record.

 

ADD A COMMENT :

Hot Topics

close button
Please fill captcha :