Iraq took the last available World Cup spot on Tuesday by beating Bolivia 2-1 in the play-offs between the confederations, sealing its return to the finals after a 40-year absence.
Aymen Hussein sent home a second-half winner to see the Iraqis become the 48th and final team to qualify for the tournament in Canada, Mexico and the US.
Ali Al Hamadi gave Iraq a ten-minute lead at Monterrey Stadium , but Bolivia were level at the breakthrough Moises Paniagua.
Iraq will compete in Group I at the World Cup from June 11 to July 19, along with France, Norway and Senegal.
Iraq, the ninth team from Asia to qualify, were quickly out of the blocks and Bolivia goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra saved Amir Al Ammari’s curling free-kick off his crossbar with a fingertip.
But from the resulting corner, Al Hamadi, who plays for Luton Town in League One, got ahead of the Bolivian defense to head in the opener.
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Bolivia slowly recovered from the shock of the early setback and were deservedly level at half-time.
The equalizer came when Ramiro Vaca’s forward pass, which initially looked like a shot on target, found Paniagua, who then had time to turn and smash the ball home from close range.
Iraq took the lead again in the 53rd minute when substitute Marko Farji’s cross found Hussein, who reacted quickest and got ahead of his marker to steer home.
Mohanad Ali had the chance to score a third for Iraq and finish the match almost at full-time, but squandered the chance.
Bolivia forced a number of late corners as they desperately tried to take the match into extra time, but Iraq finished off the fresher of the two sides.
The Iraqis were placed directly for the play-off decider, while Bolivia first had to pass Suriname last Thursday in Monterrey.
Iraq’s only previous World Cup appearance was in Mexico in 1986, where it lost all three group matches.
Published on April 1, 2026
