Iraq, on Wednesday, defeated Bolivia 2–1 within the second remaining of the intercontinental playoffs in Mexico to seal the final accessible spot for the FIFA World Cup 2026. This might be Iraq’s first look on the finals in 40 years.
The war-torn nation, whose preparations had been disrupted as a result of ongoing tensions within the area, secured the win following targets from Ali Al Hamadi and Aymen Hussein. Coincidentally, Iraq’s solely look earlier than the 2026 qualification was in 1986, the final time the event was held in Mexico.
The West Asian nation took the lead early on, when Amir Al Ammari picked out Al Hamadi from a nook, who nodded his header previous the goalkeeper.
Bolivia did pull themselves again within the thirty eighth minute after Moises Paniagua discovered himself unmarked within the field, just for him to bend a end previous Ahmed Basil. It was, nevertheless, early within the second half when Hussein met Marko Farji’s supply first time to information it into the online.
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Following their victory, head coach Graham Arnold was hoisted up on the shoulders of his gamers and walked across the pitch draped within the Iraqi flag to rejoice their exceptional achievement.
“I’ve received to provide a lot due to the gamers,” he mentioned, through FIFA+. “Their work ethic, they confirmed the actual Iraqi mentality of combating and placing their our bodies on the road, that is why we received the sport.”
Arnold grew to become the primary Australian coach to guide a overseas nation to the FIFA Males’s World Cup.
“Very powerful match. Full credit score to Bolivia, they performed properly. Simply by way of the good defending from our gamers we defended the crosses very well. That is why we received the sport,” he added.
Iraq is positioned in Group I of the event alongside 2018 champions France, disputed AFCON champions Senegal, and Norway. Their first encounter might be in opposition to Norway on the Boston Stadium, Foxborough, on 16 June 2026.
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