Iraq end 40-year wait as the 2026 World Cup’s 48-team field is finally complete

Iraq defeated Bolivia 2-1 at the Estadio BBVA in Monterrey to claim the 48th and final spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup – ending a 40-year wait and completing a qualifying marathon that stretched across more than two and a half years. Their victory arrived hours after Bosnia and Herzegovina delivered one of the night’s biggest shocks, eliminating four-time champions Italy on penalties to condemn the Azzurri to a third consecutive World Cup absence.

MATCH GOALS

Iraq’s road back – 40 years in the making

Iraq’s only previous World Cup appearance came at Mexico 1986, where they lost all three group stage matches and were eliminated without registering a single point. Four decades later, they return to the same country – one of three co-hosts alongside the United States and Canada — with a squad that has been steadily rebuilt under Australian coach Graham Arnold, whose appointment brought renewed tactical discipline and a clearer identity to the Lions of Mesopotamia.

Iraq’s path to Monterrey was not straightforward. Last-minute logistical problems threatened the campaign, but the squad held together to navigate a playoff route that required them to overcome Asia’s secondary qualification pathway before reaching the intercontinental playoff stage against Bolivia.

How the match unfolded

Iraq made the brightest possible start. In the 10th minute, a well-delivered corner from Amir Al-Ammari found Ali Al-Hamadi arriving with power inside the box, and his header gave Iraq a 1-0 lead. Bolivia goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra had little chance.

Bolivia, however, showed exactly why they reached the final. Ramiro Vaca drove the ball into the area in the 38th minute, and 18-year-old Moises Paniagua reacted quickest inside the box to equalise, a clinical finish from a teenager making his mark on the biggest stage of his career.

The second half proved decisive within minutes of the restart. Substitute Marko Farji, introduced at half-time, made an immediate impact with a well-timed cross, and Aymen Hussein slotted home at close range in the 53rd minute to restore Iraq’s advantage. Bolivia pushed hard for a second equaliser late on, but Iraq’s defence held firm and goalkeeper Ahmed Basil Fadhil made a series of important stops to see the game out and seal their place at the World Cup.

Iraq’s World Cup group: a mountain to climb

The reward for Iraq is a place in Group I alongside France, Norway and Senegal. It is arguably the most formidable group draw they could have received. They open their campaign against Erling Haaland’s Norway on 16 June at Foxborough, before facing Kylian Mbappe’s France on 22 June in Philadelphia and concluding the group stage against Sadio Mane’s Senegal in Toronto on 26 June.

Few will give Iraq a realistic chance of advancing, but the scale of the achievement, qualifying at all after a 40-year absence, is the story that will resonate across a football-passionate nation.

Italy’s nightmare deepens: third consecutive World Cup absence

While Iraq’s qualification was the final chapter, the night’s most dramatic storyline belonged to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s stunning elimination of Italy in Zenica. Moise Kean had put the Azzurri in front after 15 minutes, but Italy’s task became significantly harder when centre-back Alessandro Bastoni was sent off in the 41st minute.

Playing with ten men for the majority of the match, Italy were pegged back in the 79th minute when Haris Tabakovic turned in the rebound to equalise. After extra time failed to produce a winner, the penalty shootout proved ruthless. Bosnia scored all four of their kicks, while Pio Esposito shot over and Bryan Cristante hit the crossbar for Italy. Esmir Bajraktarevic’s decisive penalty sent Bosnia to Group B alongside co-hosts Canada, Qatar and Switzerland.

For Italy, the defeat extends a miserable recent history. They failed to qualify for Russia 2018, their first absence since 1958, and were knocked out in the round of 16 group stage at Qatar 2022. A third consecutive absence now means Italy’s last World Cup knockout match was the 2006 final in Berlin, which they won on penalties against France. Their absence from the 2026 tournament, being hosted on their own continent’s doorstep, will be seen as a historic low point.

The full playoff picture: all six final spots settled

Tuesday’s games completed a dramatic final round of playoffs that began earlier in the week. Here is a summary of all six decisive results:

DR Congo also made history on Tuesday, qualifying for their first World Cup since 1974 after Axel Tuanzebe’s 100th-minute tap-in sealed a 1-0 extra-time victory over Jamaica in Guadalajara. They join Group K alongside Portugal, Uzbekistan and Colombia. Sweden also secured qualification with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Poland in Stockholm, Viktor Gyokeres scoring the decisive goal two minutes from time. The Arsenal striker fires Potter’s side into Group F with the Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia.

The 2026 World Cup: the complete 48-team field

The tournament runs from 11 June to 19 July 2026, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico – the first World Cup to feature 48 nations. Highlighted teams are those who secured qualification in the final round of playoffs.

What this means for bettors

The completion of the 48-team field allows sportsbooks to finalise pre-tournament markets. Iraq’s placement in Group I alongside France, Norway and Senegal makes them heavy outsiders in group stage betting, with France and Norway the clear favourites to advance. Bolivia’s failure to qualify removes them from South American tournament markets entirely.

Italy’s absence reshapes Group H betting in European markets, where the Azzurri were expected to be a factor. Bosnia and Herzegovina, as relative outsiders in Group B, offer interesting value in group stage outright markets, particularly given their composure under pressure throughout this playoff campaign. The 2026 World Cup opens with host nation the United States on 11 June, and the draw is now set for what promises to be the largest and most commercially significant tournament in football history.