Iraq beats Bolivia to claim World Cup spot in Boston

Iraq overcomes logistical issues to secure final spot at 2026 World Cup

Apr. 1, 2026 at 10:04am

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Iraq defeated Bolivia 2-1 in an intercontinental playoff match in Monterrey, Mexico to become the 48th and final team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Ali Almahadi and Aymen Hussein scored for Iraq, while Moises Paniagua netted the lone goal for Bolivia. The Iraqi team will join Group I alongside France, Norway, and Senegal at the World Cup, which kicks off on June 16.

Why it matters

Iraq's qualification for the World Cup after a 40-year absence is a major accomplishment, especially given the logistical challenges the team faced in reaching the playoff match. The victory provides a boost of national pride and optimism for Iraqi soccer fans, who will get to see their team compete on the global stage once again.

The details

Iraq overcame significant obstacles to secure their spot at the 2026 World Cup, including travel restrictions, visa complications, and the ongoing war in the Middle East. The team had to take a 25-hour journey to reach Monterrey, with a stopover in Portugal, due to the closure of Iraqi airspace. They also struggled to obtain visas from Mexico, which does not have an embassy in Iraq, before the foreign affairs ministry stepped in to facilitate the process. Despite these challenges, Iraq prevailed 2-1 over Bolivia, with goals from Ali Almahadi and Aymen Hussein.

  • The match was played on Tuesday, March 29, 2026.
  • Iraq will open the World Cup on June 16 against Norway in Foxborough.
  • Iraq will then face France on June 22 in Philadelphia and Senegal on June 26 in Toronto.

The players

Graham Arnold

The head coach of the Iraqi national team, who previously guided Australia at the 2022 World Cup.

Ali Almahadi

The Iraqi player who scored the opening goal in the 18th minute.

Aymen Hussein

The Iraqi player who scored the game-winning goal in the 53rd minute.

Moises Paniagua

The Bolivian player who scored the equalizing goal in the 38th minute.

Oscar Villegas

The head coach of the Bolivian national team.

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What they’re saying

“We have nothing to lose, let's try to shock the world with a crazy result and performance. It is great that we qualified.”

— Graham Arnold, Head Coach, Iraqi National Team

“What remains is pain and frustration; we feel devastated by the result. These young men lost with honor on the field and gave everything to achieve the result, but unfortunately, the country missed out on the World Cup.”

— Oscar Villegas, Head Coach, Bolivian National Team

“I've got to give full credit to the players — their fighting spirit was unreal. They put their body on the line, and 46 million people are proud.”

— Graham Arnold, Head Coach, Iraqi National Team

What’s next

The Iraqi national team will now prepare for their World Cup debut, facing a challenging group that includes France, Norway, and Senegal. The team will look to build on their qualification success and make a strong showing on the global stage.

The takeaway

Iraq's qualification for the 2026 World Cup, after a 40-year absence, is a testament to the resilience and determination of the national team. Despite facing significant logistical hurdles, the Iraqi players and coaching staff were able to overcome the challenges and secure their spot in the tournament, providing a much-needed boost of national pride and optimism for the country's soccer fans.