Home FIFA 2026 WORLD CUP WORLD CUP ‘We Have Nothing to Lose’ — Arnold's Fiery Call as Iraq Seal Final 2026 World Cup Spot

‘We Have Nothing to Lose’ — Arnold's Fiery Call as Iraq Seal Final 2026 World Cup Spot

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’We Have Nothing to Lose’ — Arnold's Fiery Call as Iraq Seal Final 2026 World Cup Spot
Iraq Complete the 48

After a nerve-shredding 2-1 victory over Bolivia in Mexico, Iraq coach Graham Arnold urged his squad to 'shock the world' at the 2026 World Cup. The win secured the last remaining spot - Iraq’s first appearance since 1986. Full reaction and highlights.


Iraq qualify for the 2026 World Cup as the 48th team with a 2-1 playoff win over Bolivia...


Coach Graham Arnold is making history with Iraq's stunning World Cup qualification. His team defeated Bolivia 2-1 in a thrilling intercontinental playoff in Mexico, securing their spot in the 2026 World Cup after a 40-year absence.


Iraq's journey was far from easy, with preparations disrupted by the war in the Middle East. Despite these challenges, they showed incredible resilience and determination, earning them a spot in Group I alongside football powerhouses France, Senegal, and Norway.


 

Arnold, who previously led Australia to the round of 16 in the 2022 World Cup, is now the second Australian coach to lead two different teams to the World Cup finals. He's urging his team to “shock the world” and make their mark on the global stage.


Iraq's historic win over Bolivia, secured their spot in the 2026 World Cup, ending a 40-year wait. Goals from Ali Al-Hamadi and Aymen Hussein sealed the victory, making Iraq the 48th team to qualify for the tournament.


Coach Graham Arnold acknowledged the challenges faced by his team, saying, “With everything going on in the Middle East at the moment it made it harder for the players.” He had initially sought to postpone the fixture due to the conflict's disruption. Despite this, Iraq showed resilience and determination, earning them a spot in Group I alongside France, Senegal, and Norway.


Iraq's journey to the World Cup was nothing short of a miracle, with the team facing a grueling three-day journey from Baghdad to Mexico due to travel disruptions caused by the conflict. Despite arriving tired, Iraq started strong, taking the lead through Luton Town striker Ali Al-Hamadi's ninth-minute goal.


Al-Hamadi's story is inspiring - he moved to Liverpool as a toddler with his family after the 2003 Iraq war and is now making waves in international football. His goal sparked Iraq's confident start, and Aymen Hussein's strike sealed a 2-1 win over Bolivia, securing Iraq's World Cup spot.


“Delighted for the players, very good boys, very happy for the 46 million Iraqis,” he added.


“Hopefully it will help change the perception of Iraq and the football in Iraq. Doing something in the World Cup nobody expects us to do.


“Let's shock the world.”


Iraq's Amir Al-Ammari sparked the opening goal with a superb free-kick, forcing Bolivia's Guillermo Viscarra to make a spectacular save. Al-Ammari then curled a pinpoint corner to Ali Al-Hamadi, who nodded it home for a 1-0 lead. Iraq dominated early on, looking comfortable in control.


Bolivia fought back, gradually growing into the game, and equalized in the 38th minute. Iraq's lead was short-lived, but they'd created enough chances to feel confident about taking the lead again. The game was intense, with both teams pushing hard.


Bolivia pulled one back when Ramiro Vaca's shot from the edge of the area was controlled with one touch by Moises Paniagua, and the Morocco-based central midfielder swept it into the roof of the net, stunning Iraq. Bolivia dominated the remainder of the half, looking likely to grab a second. However, Iraq regained the lead eight minutes after the break when a long ball forward was nodded into the path of substitute Marko Lawk-Farji.


Iraq's captain Aymen Hussein sealed the win with a clinical finish, clipping a first-time shot into the bottom corner after a cross from Marko Lawk-Farji. Bolivia pushed hard for an equalizer, but Iraq's defense held firm through nine minutes of stoppage time.




Coach Graham Arnold was overjoyed, saying, “We have two months to get fit.” The 62-year-old, who led Australia to the round of 16 in Qatar 2022, added, “The players wanted to do this, they've done it for the people of Iraq.” Iraq will now face France, Senegal, and Norway in Group I.


 

Bolivia's coach Oscar Villegas was heartbroken after the loss, saying, “Devastated, totally devastated because we believed we could be at the World Cup.” The team's dreams of qualifying were dashed, and the pain was clear on Villegas' face.





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