Mexico : Summary
- Aymen Hussein scores winner as Iraq national football team qualify
- Asian side drawn with France national football team, Norway national football team and Senegal national football team
- Iraq claim final spot at expanded finals
MONTERREY, Mexico, March 31 (Reuters) – Iraq clinched the final place at the World Cup with a 2-1 win over Bolivia national football team in their inter-confederation playoff on Tuesday, securing a return to the global showpiece after a 40-year absence.
A second-half strike from Aymen Hussein proved decisive as Iraq became the 48th and last team to qualify for the tournament to be held across Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Ali Al-Hamadi gave Iraq an early lead in the 10th minute at Monterrey Stadium, heading home from a corner, but Bolivia responded before the break through Moises Paniagua.
Iraq regained the advantage in the 53rd minute when substitute Marko Farji delivered a cross that Hussein converted with a composed finish.
The Asian side will compete in Group I at the June 11–July 19 finals alongside France, Norway and Senegal.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani hailed the achievement as a landmark moment for the country.
“The qualification of our national team for the World Cup marks an important turning point in the history of Iraqi sport and reinforces our country’s standing on the global stage,” he said.
Iraq started brightly, with Amir Al Ammari forcing a fine save from Bolivia goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra before Al-Hamadi’s opener.
Bolivia grew into the game and levelled when a pass from Ramiro Vaca found Paniagua, who turned and scored from close range.
Despite late pressure from Bolivia, including a series of corners, Iraq held firm to secure victory.
“I must congratulate the players who fought with real Iraqi mentality,” said coach Graham Arnold. “We’ve made 46 million people happy.”
Iraq, making only their second World Cup appearance after 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, where they lost all three group matches, were seeded directly into the playoff final.
