FIFA World Cup 2026 | Iraq's qualification a watershed moment in their history

It will be their second appearance at the quadrennial extravaganza and first since 1986 as the Lions of Mesopotamia ended a 40-year long wait.

As football fans all over the world woke up to hear the shocking news of Italy failing to make it to the World Cup for the third time in a row after their loss to Bosnia in Zenica, miles across in Monterrey came the good news that Iraq has made the cut after defeating Bolivia 2-1.

For the records, it will be only their second appearance at the quadrennial extravaganza and first since 1986 as the Lions of Mesopotamia ended a 40-year long wait.

The war-torn country, whose preparations for globe's ultimate showpiece event was disrupted by the escalating tension in the Middle East, became the 48th and final team to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026, which will be co-hosted by USA, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.

The qualification also marked a triumph for Iraq's Australian coach Graham Arnold, who had initially requested to postpone the match which was held at the ‌Monterrey Stadium due to the disruption caused by the regional conflict triggered by US-Israeli strikes on Iran.

With Iraq qualifying through the international play-off, nine Asian teams would be competing in the World Cup, which is a record of sorts for the continent.

The World Cup qualification is a watershed moment in Iraq's football history as the country has been going through a lot of struggle following the instability after the death of its president Saddam Hussein in 2006.

The 2007 AFC Asian Cup triumph, where they beat Saudi Arabia in the final, was their last moment of glory on the football field.

The win against Bolivia, who were ranked seventh in South American qualifying, came against all odds.

Most of the Iraqi squad reached Mexico after a gruelling three-day journey from Baghdad that began with an overland crossing into Jordan.

There was little sign of weariness during a confident start by Iraq, who took the lead after nine minutes through Luton Town striker Ali Al Hamadi, the 24-year-old who moved to Liverpool as a toddler following the outbreak of the war in Iraq in 2003.

Iraq were well worth the early goal and looked in control until Bolivia, equalised after 38 minutes through Moises Paniagua. Iraq regained the lead eight minutes into the second half, through captain Aymen Hussein.

It was on Mexican soil, four decades ago, where Iraq last graced the game’s greatest stage. And it was just a poetic justice that on the same soil they booked their return to the FIFA World Cup.

At the FIFA World Cup 2026, Iraq are placed in Group I along with France, Norway and Senegal.

For 46 million Iraqis, after nine failed qualification campaigns and a 21-match journey on the road to North America, the long wait is finally over.

And, Arnold summed it up quite aptly.

"I want to give credit to the players, whose work ethic and their Iraqi mentality of fighting and putting their body on the line was why we won. I'm so happy that we made 46 million people happy.”