Iraq Ends 40-Year World Cup Drought, Returning for First Finals Since 1986
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jun 2
Iraq Ends 40-Year World Cup Drought, Returning for First Finals Since 1986
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 2
March's play-off win over Bolivia sent Iraq to the 2026 World Cup, ending a 40-year absence from the finals and completing a 21-game qualification campaign.
Graham Arnold, hired in 2025 after leading Australia to the 2022 last 16, guided Iraq through the third and fourth rounds and a tight play-off against the United Arab Emirates.
June 16 brings an immediate test in Boston against Norway, with France and Senegal also in a group former 1986 player Karim Allawi called tougher than Iraq's first World Cup draw.
Ranked 57th, Iraq arrive with Europe-based players including Ali Al-Hamadi, Zidane Iqbal and Kevin Yakob, while fans hope to improve on 1986, when the team lost all three matches.
The return carries extra weight after decades of wars, sanctions and political turmoil disrupted Iraqi football, forcing many home qualifiers abroad and delaying a second World Cup appearance.