After 23 matches, a 25-hour journey and a rejected request to postpone their playoff, Iraq have qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1986. A 2-1 win over Bolivia in Monterrey Stadium, Mexico, sparked jubilant celebrations across the country.
Australian coach Graham Arnold, who had asked FIFA to delay the match because of logistical problems, praised his players’ resolve. The squad endured an arduous three-day trip, with some players forced to travel overland after regional air traffic was disrupted amid the US-Israel war with Iran. “Delighted for the players, very good boys, very happy for the 46 million Iraqis,” Arnold said. He added: “Hopefully it will help change the perception of Iraq and the football in Iraq. Doing something in the World Cup nobody expects us to do. Let’s shock the world.”
Despite the victory, Iraq remains affected by the wider conflict. More than 100 Iraqis have died in the fighting, and the country has experienced attacks on US interests and strikes targeting pro-Iran armed groups. After the win, Iraqis took to the streets and a two-day national holiday was announced. “Despite the dire economic situation and the war, our national team won,” fan Ali al-Muhandis told AFP. “We in Iraq excel in exceptional circumstances. We are living through a war that has nothing to do with us, because it’s between Iran, America and Israel.”
FIFA confirmed that the 48-team World Cup line-up is complete, with six playoff winners filling the remaining slots. But Iran’s participation remains uncertain. The Iranian federation has repeatedly questioned whether its team will travel to the United States and has lobbied for their matches to be moved to Mexico. During March friendlies, Iranian players staged protests: in one game they wore black armbands and carried schoolbags to commemorate victims of a strike on a primary school; in another they held up pictures of children killed in strikes on Iran. FIFA President Gianni Infantino attended Iran’s 5-0 win over Costa Rica in Turkey and said at halftime, “Iran will be at the World Cup. That’s why we’re here. We’re delighted because they’re a very, very strong team, I’m very happy. I’ve seen the team, I’ve spoken to the players and the coach, so everything is fine.”
Political leaders, however, disagree. US President Donald Trump has said Iran should not travel “for their own life and safety,” while Iran’s sports minister, Ahmad Donyamali, has stated that “under no circumstances can we participate.” A message from the team’s Instagram account asserted that “no one can exclude Iran’s national team from the World Cup.” If Iran withdraws, FIFA’s rules suggest a nominated alternate—often the playoff runner-up or highest-ranked non-qualified team from the confederation—would replace them; the United Arab Emirates could be a candidate, though nothing is confirmed.
Other playoff winners were confirmed more straightforwardly. European qualifiers Czech Republic, Turkey, Sweden and Bosnia and Herzegovina advanced, with Bosnia’s penalty shootout victory over Italy denying the Azzurri a third successive World Cup appearance and provoking wild scenes in Sarajevo. Defender Nikola Katic said, “What can I say? We saw everything after that last penalty. Great pride… I’ve never cried after a game, I’m 29 years old, and now the tears have started.”
In Africa, DR Congo qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1974, when they competed as Zaire. The expanded 48-team format has drawn criticism for packing the already busy calendar and diluting quality, but it has also created opportunities: Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan will all make their tournament debuts.
Edited by: Chuck Penfold