The Iraq national team defeated Bolivia 2-1 on Tuesday to clinch the last available ticket to the World Cup, to which it is returning after a 40-year absence.
Ali Alhamadi and Aymen Hussein gave Iraq the win, while Moisés Paniagua scored for the Bolivians.
Iraq eliminates Bolivia
Disappointment, failure, that was Bolivia today. How sad that this team represents a country that was looking forward to seeing its national team in the World Cup. Pitiful. 🇮🇶 Iraq 2-1 Bolivia 🇧🇴
pic.twitter.com/sVXNDqwyvm– H.S.Shadow05 (@SHPShadow05) April 1, 2026
Bolivia had possession of the ball at the start of the match, but Iraq pressed and in the 9th minute came close to taking the lead when Amir Alammari’s shot from a free kick was cleared by Bolivian goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra.
A minute later, from a corner kick, Alhamadi took advantage of poor marking and headed home to make it 1-0.
Bolivia was patient; Iraq kept order, until in the 38th minute, Paniagua scored a right-footed shot from Ramiro Vaca’s pass to tie the match and thrill the thousands of Bolivian fans in the stands, some of whom paid more than US$1,000 to be in the stadium.
Bolivia finished the first half better, although they were unable to reap the benefits of their dominance.
The second half started with fighting in the middle of the field.
In the 52nd minute, the Iraq coach made changes, including bringing on Marko Farji, who seconds later set up Hussein for a lethal right-footed shot to make it 2-1.
With the consent of their opponents, Bolivia took possession of the ball, but did not create danger against a well-organized opponent at the back.
In the last minutes, Bolivia harassed Iraq, but lacked the punch and missed the opportunity to return to the World Cup after 32 years.
Iraq will play the World Cup in Group I against France, Senegal and Norway.
Technical data
Iraq: Ahmed Basil; Hussein Ali, Zaid Tah Seen, Akam Hashim, Merchas Doski; Youssef Amyn (Marko Farji m.52), Ibrahim Bayesh (Kevin Yakob m.84), Amir Alammari, Aimar Sher (Zaid Ismael m.52); Ali Alhamadi (Ali Jasim m.66), Aymen Hussein (Mohanah Ali m.66).
Selection: Graham Arnold.
1. Bolivia: Guillermo Viscarra; Diego Medina (Lucas Macazaga m.67), Luis Haquín, Efraín Morales, Roberto Fernández; Ramiro Vaca (Fernando Nava m.70), Robson Matheus (Enzo Monteiro m.90), Gabriel Villamil; Miguel Terceros, Moisés Paniagua, Juan Godoy.
Coach: Óscar Villegas.
Goals: 1-0, 10th minute: Ali Alhamadi; 1-1, 38th minute: Moisés Paniagua; 2-1, 53rd minute: Aymen Hussein.
Referee: Iván Barton, from El Salvador: Yellow cards for Ibrahim Bayesh, Zaid Ismael, Marco Farji; Efraín Morales and Lucas Macazaga.
Incidents: Match between the Iraq and Bolivia teams that decided the last ticket for the World Cup to be held next summer, held at the BBVA Stadium in Monterrey, northern Mexico, in front of some 50,000 fans.
Filed under: Iraq eliminates Bolivia
With information from EFE
