What's happened
Iraq secured a spot in the intercontinental playoffs for the 2026 World Cup after a 2-1 win over the UAE in Basra, completing a 3-2 aggregate victory. They will face Bolivia or Suriname in March, with the match in Mexico. Coach Graham Arnold emphasizes preparation for the crucial game.
What's behind the headline?
Iraq's qualification marks a significant milestone after a 40-year absence from the World Cup. Arnold’s leadership has been pivotal, especially given the country's troubled history and FIFA's previous restrictions on hosting international matches. The team’s resilience, demonstrated by their lengthy campaign and recent dramatic win, underscores their determination. The upcoming playoff in Mexico will test their mental and physical preparedness, with the potential to inspire national pride. This story highlights how sports can serve as a unifying force in post-conflict societies and demonstrates the importance of strategic leadership in high-stakes tournaments.
What the papers say
The New Arab reports Iraq's victory and upcoming playoff details, emphasizing Arnold's strategic leadership and the team's historic journey. The Independent provides context on Iraq's long road to qualification, highlighting Arnold's role and the significance of the playoff in Mexico. Both sources underscore the emotional and political importance of this qualification for Iraq, framing it as a potential national revival through football.
How we got here
Iraq's journey to the playoffs involved a lengthy 21-game qualifying campaign, their most extensive in modern history. Their only previous World Cup appearance was in Mexico in 1986. The team’s success is driven by Arnold, who was appointed in May and has guided them through high-pressure matches, including a recent penalty shootout victory over the UAE. Iraq's qualification hopes now hinge on a playoff match scheduled for March, with the winner earning a spot in the 2026 tournament.
Go deeper
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Graham James Arnold is an Australian association football manager and former player. Arnold was appointed to work as an assistant coach of the Australian national football team in 2000.
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Iraq, officially the Republic of Iraq, is a country in Western Asia, bordered by Turkey to the north, Iran to the east, Kuwait to the southeast, Saudi Arabia to the south, Jordan to the southwest and Syria to the west.
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The United Arab Emirates, sometimes simply called the Emirates, is a sovereign state in Western Asia at the northeast end of the Arabian Peninsula on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman to the east and Saudi Arabia to the south and west, as well as sharing m
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Bolivia, officially the Plurinational State of Bolivia, is a landlocked country located in western-central South America. The constitutional capital is Sucre, while the seat of government and executive capital is La Paz.
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Suriname, officially the Republic of Suriname, is a country in northern South America, also considered as part of the Caribbean and the West Indies. Situated slightly north of the equator, over 90% of its territory is covered by rainforest, the highest..