Overview
- Iraq won 2-1 Tuesday in Monterrey at Estadio BBVA to secure the last open spot for the expanded 2026 World Cup.
- Ali Al Hamadi struck after 10 minutes and Aymen Hussein hit the winner at 53, following Moisés Paniagua’s 38th-minute equalizer for Bolivia.
- Iraq’s group schedule now starts against Norway on June 16 in Foxborough, continues with France on June 22 in Philadelphia, and ends with Senegal on June 26 in Toronto.
- The loss extends Bolivia’s World Cup drought to 32 years, halting momentum under coach Óscar Villegas after a strong fan turnout for the playoff.
- The decisive playoff closed an international window that also informed scouting, as Marcelo Bielsa highlighted Algeria’s strength after a 0-0 draw with Uruguay ahead of Argentina’s June 16 opener.