Iraq Eye Historic World Cup Return in Playoff Final Against Bolivia

The Iraq national football team is aiming to secure a long-awaited return to the FIFA World Cup when they face the Bolivia national football team in the intercontinental playoff final early Wednesday morning in Monterrey.

A victory would mark Iraq’s second appearance in World Cup history and its first in 40 years. 

Should Iraq succeed, they will join a challenging group featuring France, Norway, and Senegal, widely regarded as one of the tournament’s toughest lineups.

The match represents a final opportunity for Iraq to claim a place on football’s biggest stage. 

Players are expected to enter the contest with strong determination and fighting spirit, backed by passionate supporters who have stood firmly behind the team throughout its qualification journey.

Bolivia, meanwhile, is chasing a return to the global spotlight after a long absence since the 1994 World Cup. 

The South American side has shown resilience en route to this crucial match, notably coming from behind to defeat Suriname 2-1 in the previous round.

The 2026 edition of the tournament, scheduled from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will feature 48 teams for the first time.