Iraq’s successful qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026 has finalized the lineup of 48 nations for the tournament, which will take place across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
The Lions of Mesopotamia achieved their place by defeating Bolivia 2-1 in the second final of the FIFA Playoff tournament in Mexico on Tuesday. In the first final, the Democratic Republic of the Congo emerged victorious against Jamaica, winning 1-0.
Additionally, the final European spots were filled by Turkiye, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sweden, and Czechia, rounding out the continent's representation in the tournament.
Regarded as the premier sporting event globally, the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the largest to date, featuring 48 nations competing—an increase from the previous 32. The tournament will consist of 104 matches held in 16 venues spread across the three host nations.
Argentina aims to defend the title won by their iconic captain, Lionel Messi, at the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Additionally, newcomers Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan are set to make their World Cup debuts.
The opening match of the tournament will see a rematch from 2010 as Mexico squares off against South Africa on June 11 in Mexico City, echoing the start of that year's tournament. Fans will be eager to see if the opening goal can replicate the memorable strike by Lawrence Tshabalala, which captivated audiences during the 2010 event.
Group breakdown:
Group A:
- Mexico
- South Korea
- South Africa
- Czechia
Group B:
- Canada
- Switzerland
- Qatar
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
Group C:
- Brazil
- Morocco
- Scotland
- Haiti
Group D:
- USA
- Australia
- Paraguay
- Turkiye
Group E:
- Germany
- Ecuador
- Ivory Coast
- Curacao
Group F:
- Netherlands
- Japan
- Tunisia
- Sweden
Group G:
- Belgium
- Iran
- Egypt
- New Zealand
Group H:
- Spain
- Uruguay
- Saudi Arabia
- Cape Verde
Group I:
- France
- Senegal
- Norway
- Iraq
Group J:
- Argentina
- Austria
- Algeria
- Jordan
Group K:
- Portugal
- Colombia
- Uzbekistan
- DRC
Group L:
- England
- Croatia
- Panama
- Ghana
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