Image courtesy nytimes.com
| System ID: | jl-269af1b135a840da5e72c5d8dfdf3f23 |
|---|---|
| Title: | Iraq 2 Bolivia 1: World Cup play-off winners reach first finals in 40 years - The Briefing |
| Link: | Original article on nytimes.com |
| Region: | MX |
| Topics: | iraq; players; winners; goal; cup; reach; finals; world; briefing; bolivia; opening; team; 40; united; iraqs; playoff; Ali Al-Hamadi; FIFA World Cup; Aymen Hussein; AFC Asian Cup; Overtime (sports); Association football |
| Datetime: | 4/1/2026, 5:30:53 AM |
| Summary: | The line-up for this summer’s World Cup finals is now complete after Iraq became the 48th team to book their place with a 2-1 victory against Bolivia in Monterrey, Mexico. Eighteen-year-old winger Moises Paniagua had equalised for Bolivia after Al-Hamadi’s effort, but this was a step too far for the South American side, who were bidding to end their 32-year wait for a World Cup. Graham Arnold celebrates with his players (Julio Cesar Aguilar/AFP via Getty Images)Reaching the World Cup carries added significance in a period of huge uncertainty back home. Arnold’s team will head to the World Cup as rank outsiders in a group that includes beaten 2022 finalists France, Erling Haaland’s Norway and the reigning Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winners (sort of) Senegal. Ali Al-Hamadi celebrates his opening goal (Hector Vivas – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)What will the Iraq fans bring to the World Cup?... |
