For the first time in 40 years
The last World Cup participant has been determined
Updated April 1, 2026 – 7:33 a.mReading time: 1 min.
The 2007 Asian champions beat Bolivia in the playoff final. This is the second time Iraq has ever taken part in a World Cup.
Iraq has qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 40 years. The team won the decisive playoff game against Bolivia at the Monterrey Stadium in Mexico 2-1 (1-1). With the success of the Iraqis, the field of participants in the largest World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico is complete. All 48 nations are now determined.
Ali Al-Hamadi (10th minute) and Aymen Hussein (53rd) took the Iraqis to the World Cup, while Moises Paniagua scored for Bolivia (38th). In “Hammer Group” I, Iraq will now face runner-up world champion France led by captain Kylian Mbappé, Norway with star striker Erling Haaland and Senegal.
It is Iraq’s second World Cup participation after 1986 in Mexico, while Bolivia missed its fourth finals after 1930, 1950 and 1994.
Meanwhile, a few hours earlier, the Democratic Republic of Congo qualified for a World Cup for the first time since the 1974 tournament in Germany. The 1-0 (0-0, 0-0) after extra time in the playoffs against Jamaica secured the team from Africa the penultimate ticket. In Group K the country will face Portugal, Uzbekistan and Colombia. In 1974 the country was still called Zaire.
In front of 39,983 spectators in the World Cup stadium in Guadalajara, Axel Tuanzebe scored 1-0 for DR Congo in the 100th minute. The Burnley FC professional redeemed the fans after numerous missed opportunities and goals disallowed due to offside in regular time.
