Iraq is heading to the forthcoming FIFA World Cup for the first time in 40 years. A crucial 2–1 win over Bolivia sealed their historic qualification, marking a long-awaited return to football’s biggest stage.
Meanwhile, Turkey have ended a 24-year wait to book their spot at the World Cup. A narrow 1–0 victory against Kosovo in the qualifiers confirmed their comeback to the global tournament.
Italy four-time world champions failed to qualify
Italy, four-time world champions, failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time after losing to Bosnia on penalties in the qualifying round. Bosnia secured its place in the World Cup for only the second time.
Turkey qualified for the World Cup after a 24-year absence by defeating Kosovo 1–0 in the qualifiers. Sweden and the Czech Republic also earned qualification for the tournament.
Iraq qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 40 years after beating Bolivia 2–1 in the qualifying round.
With these results, all 48 teams have now qualified for the FIFA World Cup. It is worth noting that 46 out of the 48 teams have previously reached the final stage of the tournament.
The FIFA World Cup will be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada starting from June 11.
Iran will play its WC matches in US
Iran will play its World Cup 2026 matches in the United States as planned, FIFA President Gianni Infantino says, despite calls to move them due to tensions in the region.
The match fixtures, scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19, are to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Earlier this week, the Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) called for Iran’s three Group G fixtures to be relocated from the United States to Mexico. This is in response to the recent tense political and armed conflict, with Iran citing that the United States has participated in regional attacks alongside Israel.
The FFIRI also reported that it had been in talks with FIFA about a potential relocation. Meanwhile, the sports ministry in Iran has barred national and provincial teams from visiting countries it deems enemies of the state, adding to the complexity of the issue.
But Infantino dismissed any potential for changes to the match locations, noting that games would follow the locations decided for the matches.
FIFA World Cup groups
Group A
Mexico, Czech Republic, South Africa, South Korea
Group B
Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar and Switzerland
Group C
Brazil, Haiti, Morocco, Scotland
Group D
United States, Australia, Paraguay, Turkey
Group E
Curacao, Ecuador, Germany, Ivory Coast
Group F
Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia
Group G
Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Group H
Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Uruguay
Group I
France, Norway, Senegal, Iraq
Group J
Algeria, Argentina, Austria, Jordan
Group K
Colombia, Jamaica, Portugal, Uzbekistan
Group L
Croatia, England, Ghana, Panama
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