Iraq is back on the biggest stage in global football. For the first time since 1986, the country has qualified for the FIFA World Cup, earning a spot in the 2026 tournament co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico.
The road to qualification
Iraq’s path ran through the United Arab Emirates in the AFC fifth-round playoffs. The two-legged affair played out on November 13 and November 18, 2025, with Iraq advancing past the UAE to reach the intercontinental playoff stage.
That’s where Bolivia stood in the way. On April 1, 2026, Iraq defeated Bolivia 2-1 to officially clinch a World Cup berth.
The last time Iraq appeared on this stage, the tournament featured just 24 teams and was held in Mexico. The 2026 edition features 48 teams across three host nations, a dramatically different landscape from what Iraqi football last experienced.
