Iraq, the last country to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. In which group did it enter and when will the first matches be played?

Iraq has qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, becoming the last national team to join the competition, after a 2-1 victory against Bolivia in the intercontinental playoff held Tuesday evening in Monterrey, Mexico.

Despite the difficulties caused by the war in the Middle East, the Iraqi team, known as the "Lions of Mesopotamia," will participate for the second time in the World Cup, after the 1986 edition. The goals for Iraq were scored by Ali Al-Hamadi in the 10th minute and by captain Aymen Hussein in the 53rd minute. Bolivia, hoping to participate in its first World Cup since 1994, managed to equalize temporarily through young Moises Paniagua in the 38th minute.

Thus, Iraq joins France, Senegal, and Norway in Group I of the competition, which will take place between June 11 and July 19, 2026, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The first match of the competition will take place on June 11, 2026.