Iraq Ends 40-Year World Cup Drought in Dramatic Fashion Iraq has finally returned to the FIFA World Cup stage, ending a painful 40-year absence by defeating Bolivia 2-1 in the intercontinental playoff final. The Lions of Mesopotamia secured their spot as the 48th and final team to qualify for the 2026 tournament, with goals from Ali al-Hamadi and Aymen Hussein doing the damage in a tightly contested match at Monterrey Stadium in Mexico. The victory sent millions of Iraqis across the globe into celebrations that lasted days. Coach Graham Arnold,…
Read MoreIraq World Cup Qualifiers 2026: Graham Arnold Gets Hero’s Welcome in Sydney After Historic Qualification
