2026 World Cup: Iraq Claim Final Spot After Dramatic Play-Off Victory

Iraq have secured the final coveted spot in the expanded FIFA World Cup 2026, defeating Bolivia in a thrilling Play-Off Tournament final in Monterrey, Mexico on Wednesday.

Their victory makes them the 48th and final team to qualify for the tournament, bringing an end to a colossal global qualifying campaign spanning 899 matches over 937 days.

The dramatic conclusion saw Iraq clinch their place in Group I alongside footballing giants France, Senegal, and Norway.

Aymen Hussein netted the last of the qualifying campaign’s 2,527 goals, marking a fitting end to a journey that saw Iraq play the most matches of any nation.

Meanwhile, Tuesday, 31st March, proved to be a day of high drama across continents. Europe saw Czechia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Türkiye, and Sweden emerge victorious from gripping play-off encounters, securing their places in Groups A, B, D, and F respectively.

The action then shifted to Mexico, where the Democratic Republic of Congo defeated Jamaica 1-0 in Guadalajara to claim the final spot in Group K, setting up an exciting clash with Portugal on 17th June in Houston, Texas.

The Play-Off Tournament also served as a successful dress rehearsal for the host cities of Guadalajara and Monterrey, which welcomed over 160,000 fans across four matches.

With the line-up now complete, an unprecedented 48 teams will compete in 104 matches across 16 Host Cities in Canada, Mexico, and the United States from 11th June to 19th July 2026.

Over six million fans are expected to attend, with last-minute tickets available from FIFA.com/tickets on Wednesday, 1st April 2026, at 11:00 ET/17:00 CET.

The biggest standalone sporting event of all time is also anticipated to engage an estimated six billion people globally, showcasing football’s unparalleled ability to unite the world. The match schedule has been updated, with minor adjustments to kick-off times for the Türkiye vs. Paraguay and Brazil vs. Haiti matches.