Iraq Celebrates World Cup Qualification and National Team’s Return

Iraq has qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, ending a 40-year absence from the tournament. The national team secured their place after defeating Bolivia 2-1 in an intercontinental playoff held in Monterrey.

This marks only the second time Iraq has appeared in the World Cup, with their previous appearance occurring in 1986. The qualification follows a rigorous campaign involving multiple qualifying rounds and playoffs, during which the team managed various regional and logistical challenges.

Celebrations in Baghdad

On April 4, 2026, thousands of fans gathered in Baghdad to celebrate the team’s return to the world stage. The celebrations included an open-top bus parade that carried the players through several central districts of the capital.

The parade route included Tahrir Square, Al-Karrada, and Al-Jadriya, where crowds waved Iraqi flags and chanted in support of the national squad.

Group Stage Outlook

Following their qualification, Iraq’s path in the 2026 tournament has been established. The national team is scheduled to compete in a group stage featuring France, Norway, and Senegal.

The difficulty of the upcoming fixtures has already drawn attention from the Iraqi government. The Iraqi Prime Minister has issued warnings to the team regarding the challenges of facing opponents such as Senegal and the threat posed by players like Erling Haaland.