Iraq snare final World Cup position despite Middle East war disruptions
Iraq snare final World Cup position despite Middle East war disruptions originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . Iraq have become the final team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup with a 2-1 intercontinental playoff win against Bolivia in Mexico despite preparations being hindered by the current Middle East war.
Led by Australian coach Graham Arnold, the Iraqis will play in football's showpiece event for the first time in 40 years - with their last appearance coincidentally coming at Mexico 1986. They will be drawn into Group I - a formidable group featuring France, Senegal and Norway. Arnold was keen for the match to be postponed in the lead-up, with concerns how his Iraqi-based players would make the journey to Mexico.
MORE: World Cup teams qualified: List of nations playing at 2026 FIFA tournament and how qualification works However, those particular squad members endured a three-day journey from Baghdad that included an overland crossing into Jordan to ensure they could be available for the playoff. Despite the arduous journey, Iraq took the lead after 10 minutes via Ali Al-Hamadi but were pegged seven minutes prior to the break by a strike from Moises Paniagua. Bolivia pushed for the go-ahead goal in the reminder of the half but a resolute Iraqi defence managed to contain the match at 1-1.
Iraq secured the winning goal eight minutes after half-time when captain Aymen Hussein finished first-time and the team kept Bolivia at bay throughout the remainder of the match despite significant pressure. Arnold becomes the first Australian coach to lead two nations to the World Cup after taking the Socceroos to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The Aussie tactician coached the Socceroos to their equal-best finish at the finals, losing in the round-of-16 to eventual champions Argentina.